5 Benefits Of Doing Exercising on Long Car Trips?

WRITTEN BY: Jennifer Strout, Founder of MotivateU

Are you planning a long road trip or a flight across the country? Spending long periods sitting in the same position can be detrimental to your health and can cause both discomfort and lethargy. However, a few exercises practiced during extended periods of sitting can be good for your overall physical and mental well-being. Here are some benefits of doing exercises during long car rides or flights:

1. Improved Circulation: Sitting in the same spot for long periods can cause blood to pool, increasing the risk of poor circulation. Regular exercise promotes blood flow and reduces the chances of developing blood clots, deep vein thrombosis and helps prevent other health-related problems.
2. Better Mental Health: Staring at the same scenery for a prolonged period can be monotonous and lead to boredom and decrease mental alertness. Regular stretches, movement or exercises can help boost your mood and energy levels.
3. Reduced Muscle Stiffness: Sitting in the same position for an extended period can cause muscle stiffness and pain. Simple stretches such as shoulder shrugs, knee lifts, neck stretches or foot rotations can help alleviate discomfort and reduce muscle cramping.
4. Increased Flexibility: A long transit can limit the opportunities to stretch and exercise. Seated exercises that you can perform while your partner is driving, or you’re a passenger on a plane, such as neck rolls or thigh raises, provide an opportunity to increase flexibility.
5. Burn some calories: Car rides, and long days at a desk, tend to involve a lot of snacking, so any chance to burn off some extra calories is worth taking advantage of. Simple exercises, like squeezing your abs and glutes or doing calf flexors, can burn some calories.

Extended stretches of being sedentary are often unavoidable, but some simple exercise can help improve your health and well-being. Taking short breaks during your journey to stretch, as moving around or exercising can help improve your blood circulation, prevent fatigue, and reduce the risk of blood clots and other health impacts of sitting for long periods. Incorporating exercise into your travel routine can go a long way in making the journey more enjoyable.

Want more specific guidance? Check out our car exercises on-demand guided exercise video with real time form feedback.

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