5 Stretches To Improve Your Holiday Travel

The holiday travel season is upon us. With cramped airplanes and buses, it's easy for your muscles to get tight and uncomfortable.

With these 5 stretches, you can take on holiday travel with ease. Remember that none of these stretches should be painful! 

1. Upper Trapezius Stretch

To stretch your right upper trapezius muscle, bend your head to the left while placing your left hand behind your back. Place your right hand over your head and gently pull your neck to the left until you feel a stretch. Hold this for about 30 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.

2. Modified Prayer Stretch

Find a surface that is about the same height as your hips and place your hands flat onto the surface while keeping your feet shoulder with the part. Lean back gently until you feel a stretch in your low back. If you can lean lower, you will feel more of a stretch. Hold this for about 30 seconds.

3. Hamstring Stretch

While standing, keep your feet shoulder with the part and gently bend down from your hips, reaching towards your toes. Note that it's okay to bend your knees slightly while keeping your legs mostly straight. Hold this stretch for about 30 seconds and you should feel the muscles in the back of your thighs begin to loosen. 

4. Standing Mermaid Stretch

This one is easy! Place your right hand on your hip and put your left arm over your head. With your left arm over your head, reach towards the opposite side until you feel a stretch at your side. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds.

5. Hip Flexor Stretch 

Step forward with your right leg into a lunge position. Keep your right leg bent and your left leg in the back straight. You should feel a stretch at the front of the hip of your left leg. You may also feel a stretch in your calf. Hold this for 30 seconds.

For more great stretching tips, check out the original article here.