The act of traveling can be exciting and also a little stressful. Stressful not only on the mind, but on the body as well. As you lifted your suitcase you underestimated how heavy it was and tweaked a muscle in your lower back. Those suitcases you rolled behind you as you sprinted to your connecting flight wrecked havoc on your shoulder and neck. Maybe you were lucky enough to get  some sleep on the flight but then woke up only to realize that position you slept in for nearly an hour was less than ideal for your neck.

Once you arrive to your destination, no matter how wonderful the new place may be,  it just isn’t home. Believe me, your body can feel the difference from your bed at home and  a foreign hotel bed. The pillows are fluffier and the bed is firmer than you’re accustomed to. Your body may need an adjusting period to this new bed and that can leave you waking up sore the next morning.

We have all experienced how traveling can sometimes take a toll on our body. But I can give you  some tips to ensure that your next trip is as pain free as possible.

Travel with a neck pillow. Fashionable? Not so much, but it is a  better alternative than walking around for the next 2-3 days not being able to turn your head because of a stiff neck. Plus,  you’re less likely to wake up with your head on the shoulder of the stranger in seat 4C. Awkward. Check out this travel pillow.

Take heed when lifting your suitcase. Lift with the power of your  legs. Bend at your knees and not your back. Put the suitcase in front of you first, then bend to pick it up. Try to avoid and lifting then twisting to place the suitcase on the conveyer belt or in the trunk of a car. The quick turning movement coupled with the lifting can aggregate some muscles in your back.

Alternate the arm you use to pull your rolling suitcase. This will help so that you’re not putting a strain exclusively on one side of your body. Also consider investing in a spinner wheels suitcase to eliminate pulling the suitcase behind you, therefore aggravating your neck and pectoral muscles.

Traveling with a carry on? Ditch the one strap messenger bag. Invest in a backpack. With a backpack you can potentially carry more items and the two straps and evenly distribute the weight on both shoulders instead of weighing down one shoulder leaving you feeling lopsided and uneven.

Change the direction of your pillow.  Those full pillows often keep your neck several inches higher off the mattress than you’re used to and  this can cause you to wake up with a stiff neck. If you feel uncomfortable sleeping on a super plush hotel pillow,  try sleeping with the pillow vertically to your body instead of horizontally. This puts your neck in is a neutral position.

Carve out some time for yourself on that trip, even if it’s a business trip. Schedule a massage if the trip has been less than kind to your body. Or book a massage when you return.

I hope that this short list is in the back of your mind the next time you’re preparing to travel. It could just make all the difference in your next trip.

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