Hays County Physical Therapy and Wellness

To Book Your Appointment Call

512-268-9130

Travel and Your Pelvic Floor: Tips to Keep You Healthy

by

For the first time in over a year and a half, I traveled for longer than a weekend.

It made me realize how much our bodies are affected by travel and schedule changes. Not to mention how our pelvic floor muscles can be affected.

When you travel do you ever have changes in your bowel or bladder habits?

Does your diet change when on vacation?

What about your water intake? Does that change?

Did you know that all of this can have a huge effect on your pelvic floor, low back pain, and discomfort? These can have some lasting effects while you’re traveling and even when you return to your regular schedule again.

I’ve had so many clients tell me that they have seen significant shifts in their muscle tension while they travel. More pain and discomfort, less regularity (if you know what I mean), and just sluggishness overall.

So…how can you avoid some of these things as your schedule changes (even if you aren’t getting ready to travel or go on vacation)?

Here are my top 3 tips on how to keep your pelvic floor healthy, supple, and strong while you’re having major changes in your schedule.

  1. Drink plenty of water: Be sure to keep your water intake on point. I get it, you don’t want to have to stop at a gas station or use the plane bathroom, however, your body thrives on water and keeping yourself hydrated is a great way to keep your system in check and feeling great.

  2. Move your body: Even if you only have 10 minutes to move your body, do it. A little walking, yoga, stretches, or a quick HIIT workout can help your body stay healthy, strong, and keep your system moving well.

  3. Deep breathing: Work on some relaxation techniques in addition to some stretching and exercise. Deep, relaxing breathing can calm the nervous system and allow your body to do what it naturally does. So… just breath. Try some box breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 4 second, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds. Repeat 4 times. How do you feel?

Bonus Tip: Work to keep your eating and sleeping schedule relatively similar to your typical schedule when not traveling. If you want to indulge, do so. Just be sure to keep vegetables, fruits, and water a top priority.

So…if you’ve traveled lately and your pelvic floor is causing pain, leaking issues, constipation, or just feels overactive, we can help with figuring out what you and your body need. Let us know about your concerns and how we can help you be the healthiest, happiest, strongest version of you.