Many of us in Long Beach have to drive long hours for work to Orange County or Los Angeles, and some also spend a great deal of time flying for business. I’m asked often what you can do to lower your stress while in the car and prevent back and neck pain from creeping in over time.

So here are a couple simple tips to keep your body in tune while on the road to and from Long Beach.

The Progressive Relaxation:

  1. Start at your feet and gently squeeze all the muscles throughout your foot for 3 seconds followed by a complete relaxation for 3 seconds with an exhale from your belly.
  2. Work your way up your entire body. Ankles, legs, knees, thighs, hips, back etc. 3 seconds squeezing, 3 seconds releasing with a deep exhale (the exhale is very important).
  3. If there is a tight area in particular spend a couple reps of 3 seconds on that area to allow it to relax.
  4. This works great in the car, on the plane, or before bed for complete relaxation by reducing muscle spasm and increasing blood flow while slowing down your breathing.

The Sternum Lift:

  1. When you feel your posture begin to slump, simply lift your sternum or “breastbone” 1 inch.
  2. A light lift brings the shoulders back and head up.
  3. Your posture is very important for cognitive function and energy throughout the day. “90% of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body to gravity. – Dr. Roger Sperry (Nobel Prize Recipient for Brain Research)

The Stoplight Shoulder Roll:

  1. At a stoplight, make it a habit to roll your shoulder slowly with deep exhales.
  2. Repeat 10 times in both directions.
  3. Do backwards rotations last as it will reinforce the need for the shoulder blades to be sitting gently back with driving posture.