It’s easy to get bored and tired on long journeys, particularly when it involves lots of motorways. Driving is a sedentary job, so staying active is important to offset the negative effects of sitting still for long periods of time. Here are a few things you can do while travelling to keep the mind and body moving.
Keep Moving
Stretch your legs every so often to keep the blood flowing. It will help you to feel more relaxed and alert behind the wheel too. According to a study conducted by the NIHR, 84% of UK drivers have an issue with being overweight or obese. To avoid this, the NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise per week (half an hour a day for 5 days a week).
Walking & Jogging
Even a 15-minute lap around a service station or nearby town will have positive effects for your body. Raising your heart rate, even for short periods of time improves blood circulation, helping to get oxygen to necessary organs and muscles in the body, including the brain. After being sat down for hours, muscles and joints will tend to get stiff and sore, so exercise can help to break the monotony and promote healthy circulation to muscles and joints. You will also notice that you feel much more positive and alert once you begin exercising regularly.
Weights & Muscle Training
If possible, bring some weights along on long haul journeys so that when you stop you have the chance to work out the muscles that are idle during the day. Ensure they are safely stowed away during transport to avoid injury and damage, however. There are many exercises using nothing but your own body weight such as press-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups, jack-knifes and many more that you can also do in the absence of gym equipment.
Cycling
Some drivers are able to take a foldaway bicycle with them while they are away to get in some cycling time during those long periods. You never know where you may end up and a cycle through some new picturesque countryside could be a breathtaking experience you will be glad you got to enjoy.
You could also seek out a local swimming pool or leisure centre for great exercise spaces and shower facilities too.
These are just a few of many tips and tricks that can make driving long distances a bit more bearable and help you to lead a healthy lifestyle without changing too much in your daily schedule.
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