Traveling
It is very important to maintain activity while traveling. It is important to stretch out your legs and walk around to keep the blood flowing in your legs. Click on the Links below for tips on car travel and air travel.
Air Travel
Even healthy people can get blood clots in their legs after long flights. Try to walk every now and then during your flight (unless the crew tells you not to). It also helps to drink water, stretch your calf muscles while you’re sitting and wear support stockings. Tips to help relieve jet lag:
- Get plenty of sleep before you leave
- Don’t drink a lot of alcohol
- Eat well-balanced meals
- Avoid overeating
- Exercise as much as you can on your trip
- Get used to a new time zone by going along with the local meal and bedtime schedules.
Car Travel
On long distance road trips it is important to stop every few hours to stretch and walk. It also helps to drink water, stretch your calf muscles while you’re sitting.
Here is a stretch to try while in the car: Make sure that your feet are shoulder width apart and that you are sitting squarely. Place the ball of one of your feet on the edge of the seat in front of you. With the ball of your foot on the edge of the seat, position your lower leg in a manner that the heel of your foot is touching the ground. By changing the angle of the ankle (bringing the foot closer to you or away) you will begin to perceive a stretch in the calf region.
Hold this stretch for 60 seconds switch legs and repeat 3 times per leg.