The Best Stretches to Do After Driving All Day
Going on a roadtrip and taking in all the views along the way is an exciting experience but, there is one thing that is difficult to avoid after driving for hours: muscle tightness. There’s nothing worse than getting a cramp in your hip when you still have hours left on the road. One way to prevent this discomfort is by following the 3-3-3 rule, but if you can’t keep your drive under three hours, then try doing the following stretches at rest stops or once you get to your destination.
1. Pigeon Stretch
It’s not uncommon to hear people say that their hip flexors feel tight after a long day of sitting. The pigeon pose is a great stretch for opening up the hips, specifically the external rotation and hip extension. To do this stretch, start in a lunge then slide down until your front knee is at a 90-degree angle. Maintain an upright posture and hold the stretch for 30 to 45 seconds before repeating on the other side.
2. Child’s Pose
The child’s pose stretch helps loosen up those tight hip flexors and back muscles that get tight behind the wheel! For this stretch, start on all fours with your hands on the mat in front of you and your knees below your hips. Sit back onto your heels and push back with your arms. Keep your eyes looking down and continue to push your butt closer to your heels as you sit deeper into it.
3. Neck Stretch
If your neck is feeling tight, then you can do this simple stretch while sitting in traffic or relaxing in your RV to relieve your neck muscles. To do this stretch, keep your eyes and head straight, then tilt your right ear to your right shoulder. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds before repeating it on the left side.
4. Standing Toe Touch
One of the easiest stretches to do is the standing toe touch. You can do this stretch anywhere, such as next to your bed before you go to sleep or at the campsite while waiting for meat to finish grilling. To do this stretch, begin with your feet together and legs straight. Then, slowly bend forward at the hip and round your back. Hold this stretch for at least 20 seconds. The more you do this stretch, the lower you will be able to reach your hands to the ground in front of you!
5. Overhead Shoulder Stretch
Your upper body may need some extra love after keeping your hands on the wheel all day. Target your chest and triceps with this simple overhead shoulder stretch. To do this one, stand straight with your shoulders back and feet shoulder-width apart. Reach your right arm over your head and bend your elbow so your hand is behind your neck. Then, grab your elbow with your left hand and pull until you feel a stretch. Repeat this movement on the opposite side.
6. Cobra Stretch
Get some blood flow in your chest, abdominal muscles, and spine with the cobra stretch. For this stretch, lay on the ground with your feet together and palms faced down next to your ribs. Then, push through your hands to lift through your chest and arch your back as much as you can to feel the stretch without feeling pain. Hold this stretch for 20 seconds before coming back down flat to the ground.
Not only is stretching good to do after driving, but also after a day of outdoor activities, such as hiking in Arches National Park or exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. If you like to stay active in other ways, there are also many exercises you can do outside of your RV to keep your body moving and healthy on your trip.
See you on the road!