To Make Road Trips Happier, Make Them Healthier
One good idea is to fight mental stress with physical stress. "At least every two hours, do something that stresses your muscles for 30 to 60 seconds," suggest Dian Griesel, PhD, and Tom Griesel, authors of TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (BSH, 2011).
This holiday season, road trips can be a fun, economical alternative to flying. But as hours on the open road add up and fast food wrappers stack up, tempers can flare, setting a stressful tone for what should be pleasurable days ahead.
It doesn't have to be that way. Armed with the right strategies, not only can you and your family survive a long car trip and the travel food that often goes along with it; you can use it as a way to bond and kick off a fun-filled vacation.
One good idea is to fight mental stress with physical stress. "At least every two hours, do something that stresses your muscles for 30 to 60 seconds," suggest Dian Griesel, PhD, and Tom Griesel, authors of TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (BSH, 2011).
Human growth hormone (HGH) levels rise when you stress muscles for as little as 30 seconds, the Griesels say. "Once HGH starts to flow, you automatically feel less hungry, so you'll be less likely to stop for food on the road. HGH also helps promote general muscle strength." To keep levels high and prevent mindless eating in the car, they suggests doing one of the following exercises for at least 30 seconds every two hours you're in the car:
• Take your hands and press them together as hard as you can, palms flat, elbows at shoulder height. Pull in your stomach at the same time.
• Put your hands together as if you were praying and bend your fingers down so your knuckles are together and your hands form a heart shape. Then press your elbows together as hard as you can.
• Suck in your stomach and hold it tight for as long as you can. Release and breathe.
• For passengers, hold onto the seat, brace yourself, and try to lift your legs up off the ground. Keep your knees and ankles together, and try to bring your knees to your chest.
• Fill'er up - with fruit. "Fruit naturally maintains electrolyte flow through your body, which keeps your muscles comfortable," say the Griesels. "Plus, because it is naturally pre-packaged in its skin, you can easily take fruit anywhere, making it the perfect snack for eating on the go." Want something a little more compact without sacrificing nutrition? Pack some prunes, banana chips, or dried apricots for the road.
• Forgo caffeine and soda and drink water. As tempting as it can be to drink energy-boosting beverages in the car, think twice before you indulge. "It makes for an unpleasant trip when someone is jacked up on caffeine or sugar," the Griesels say. Both can worsen the agitation travelers already feel from being cooped up in the car. Water is the best thing.
• Do your best Darth Vader impression. When things get tense in the car, it pays to pull over and take a deep breath, especially for the driver, the Griesels say. "Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and when you breathe out, do your best Darth Vader impression. The added vibration has been proven to relax the body better," they note. "Take 10 of these deep breaths to help you regroup."
With a little planning and a few creative strategies, you can survive any road trip with your sanity-and health-intact.
About Turbocharged:
About TurboCharged:
TurboCharged® is a groundbreaking 8-Step program that defies common weight-loss theories. It successfully delivers body-defining rapid fat loss, accelerates metabolism, and improves health and odds of longevity without gimmicks, supplements or special equipment. Common sense and a desire to be lean are all that is required for success at any age. For more information, log on http://turbocharged.us.com/about-2/learn-more/. Please follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/turbochargedUS and Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/diangriesel.
Janet Vasquez, Director of Corporate Communications
The Investor Relations Group
11 Stone Street, 3rd floor
New York, NY 10004
212-825-3210
jvasquez@Investorrelationsgroup.com
Business School of Happiness
Washington Depot, CT
http://www.businessschoolofhappiness.com
http://www.turbocharged.us.com
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