12/21/2025
Holiday Travel = Happy Memories… & Sometimes Not-So-Happy Backs 😫
As we head into Christmas and New Year, most of us will be doing a lot more traveling to visit family.
Flights, long drives, sleeping in unfamiliar beds, lifting suitcases etc.
While the holidays are joyful, all that movement (and sitting still!) can add extra tension to your neck, shoulders, and low back.
Here are a few of my favorite tips to help your body arrive feeling a little less tight and a lot more supported:
→ Support your lumbar curve.
Adjust your seat so you’re not slouching, or roll up a blanket/jacket behind your low back. A lumbar roll works even better.
→ Move every hour.
On flights or road trips, get up, straighten your posture, walk a bit to let your spine decompress.
→ Set up your driver's seat for success.
If you’re driving, sit further back from the wheel with arms extended, try not to hunch over to avoid rounding your spine.
→ Be the passenger when possible.
If you can, take turns driving and let your body rest instead of bracing behind the wheel the whole trip.
→ Stretch when you arrive.
A gentle neck release and hip flexor stretch can make a huge difference after long travel days.
→ Pack your self-care tools.
A small MFR ball, a strap, or a lumbar roll fits easily in a carry-on and can save your body after a long day of traveling, sitting or sleeping on a less-than-lovely mattress.
Whether you’re traveling to see family, escaping somewhere warm, or staying local but constantly on the go — take care of your body as much as you can.
Your spine, nervous system, and holiday spirit will thank you!
