By Madeline Klein on June 7, 2021 in Travel
Road trips aren’t always rainbows and butterflies. We know that. While they can be filled with tons of fun with friends and family, they can also take a toll on you. Sitting for long stretches can be hard on the body and eating nothing but junk food can leave you feeling tired and sluggish.
We’ve all been through that, so we’re here with some tips and tricks to help ease some of those road trip woes.
1. Pack healthy snacks
When you think of road trip food, it usually entails fast food or gas station snacks. That may be fun at first, but we all know that those foods may not be the right choice to help keep you feeling your best. Before your next road trip, try packing some healthy road trip snacks instead. We’re talking veggies and hummus, yogurt, almonds, etc. Healthier options will help keep you energized and ready to belt out that classic Backstreet Boys song or your road trip tune of choice.
2. Chug water
It’s easy to forget your eight glasses of water a day when you’re enjoying the road. But it’s still important to stay hydrated, even in the car. Sure, stopping for Starbucks three times a day sounds fun, but your body will be begging for water. Fill your largest tumbler or Nalgene before you hit the road so you can get your daily dose of water while the miles are melting away.
3. Use a peppermint pick-me-up
You may be tempted to stop for the largest coffee you can find when you start feeling that first sign of drowsiness, but that may leave you feeling worse when the caffeine wears off. Studies show that the peppermint scent is a natural pick-me-up. Keep some essential oils in your car and take a sniff whenever you’re starting to feel a bit drained.
4. Take breaks
We know it’s tempting to get as many miles under your belt as quickly as possible, but it’s a good idea to plan some stops along the way. It’ll help you stay more alert while you’re driving. Plus, it's good for the body to stretch your legs every 2-3 hours. Map it out and see if you can stop by one of the many roadside attractions or that state park you always wanted to hike in. It doesn’t have to just be rest stop after rest stop!
5. Stretch it out
Feeling stiff? If you’re the driver, take a break and ask someone else to drive so you can get your body moving (while buckled in, of course). Whether you’re into yoga or not, there are some helpful stretches you can do to help you loosen up so you’re not sore when you reach your destination.
6. Don’t forget sunscreen
It may seem silly, but if you notice your seat is hogging the sunshine then it may be time to put on some sunscreen. You can still get burned through the windows, and what’s the fun in getting a sunburn before you even really start your vacation? Your burn-free shoulders will thank you.
7. Adjust your seat
No matter where you’re sitting in the car, make sure you adjust your seat before hitting the road. Sit up straight and roll your shoulders back if you find you're hunching over. It’s easy to slouch in the car, but good posture will keep your body happy mile after mile.
Listen to your body
It’s easy to focus on the fun during a road trip but listen to your body and make sure you’re not neglecting it. Taking care of yourself in the car will mean you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation more, and who doesn’t want that?