Think of your car as an environment, rather than a method of transport. It's worth making adjustments. On long journeys you may spend as much time in the car as you do in the office - and nobody works effectively if they have uncomfortable seating, bad ventilation and messy surroundings.
Just because you are on holiday, you should not forget personal safety. It always pays to be safe, so we advise our clients to:
- Beware of people who shout, sound their horn or point at your car as if something is wrong, motion or ask you to stop and help them; flash their headlights, or bump your car from behind. If any of these techniques occur, do not pull over or stop. Instead, drive immediately to the nearest service station or well-lighted area and call the police.
- If you get lost or suspect you're being followed, go to a service station, restaurant or other well-lit public place.
- Conceal luggage, handbags and other valuables in the boot.
- Keep car doors locked and windows up at all times.
- Park in well lighted areas and never pick up hitchhikers
settling in
Spend 5 minutes before you drive away arranging everything you need:
- Can you get hold of the water bottle easily?
- Is the radio tuned or are cassettes or cds to hand?
- Do the children have the toys they want?
- Is the rubbish bag easy for everyone to use?
driving position
Everyone has different positions they feel comfortable within a driving seat, but there are some broad guidelines, which help to avoid strain.
- Keep your back as straight as possible - avoid bolt upright or slouching positions.
- Give your lower back as much support as you can, by adjusting the seat or using a cushion.
- Your arms should be slightly bent and your hands roughly at shoulder height on the wheel.
- Your knees should be roughly the same height as your hips - and certainly not much lower or higher.
product watch
See the Back Shop's website or catalogue for lightweight products suitable for car use - www.thebackshop.co.uk.
planned stops
No one is designed to sit still for hours on end; not in an office, not in a car.
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The most important exercise is to set a time limit and to stop for a meal or a stroll when you reach that limit. |
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Break up the journey into maximum 2 hour segments if you are travelling with children. |
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Ideally, choose your first overnight stop as near to the airport as possible, particularly if you have arrived after a long flight. |
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Drivers should avoid heavy meals and any alcohol during stops. |
It cannot be emphasised too much that TIREDNESS KILLS. The idea is to enjoy, not exhaust, yourself!
progressive relaxation
These are exercises that are easy to do on the move, but they involve a degree of concentration so do them only in a traffic jam, on an empty road or when stationary. The technique involves tensing a group of muscles for ten seconds and then slowly relaxing them. Repeat the routine below as often as you can.
1. Hunch your shoulders and gradually let them droop.
2. Clench your arm muscles and let them relax.
3. Do the same with your back, stomach, buttock and leg muscles.
breathing
Regulating your breathing has a calming effect - particularly useful in traffic jams! However, it involves too much concentration to be done by a driver on the move, so wait for your turn in the passenger seat.
- Sit upright and have relaxed breathing at a normal rate.
- Take your breaths right from the bottom of your lungs, by allowing your stomach to expand outwards.
- Hold your breath for 3 or 4 seconds and release it as slowly as you can.
- Some people like to say a word, such as "calm" in their mind as they breathe out.
weather protection
You would be surprised how much the weather outside your car can affect conditions within it. Again, preparation is the key to avoiding problems.
- Very sunny conditions are tiring on the eyes, so if your route lies directly into the sun, try and avoid mid-morning and late afternoon, when the sun is likely to blind you.
- If you drive with open windows, don't forget to use sun cream. It is possible to get burnt through a closed window in extremely hot climates.
- If you drive with air-conditioning, you may need light sweatshirts or jumpers to wear on long journeys.
- Air-conditioning dehydrates, so stock up on water.
- In bad weather, ask locals for information about the conditions ahead and the likely duration of the weather. A tropical rainstorm, for instance, will wear itself out in an hour, while snow and sleet may continue all day.
- If you have to drive in snow, which is unadvisable, check whether you need snow-chains - and if you do, that they fit and you can put them on!
sore eyes, tired feet?
Nothing you can do while on the road, though if you are sharing the driving you can use cooling eyepads (circles of cucumber will do) in the passenger seat.
- When you reach your next stop, give your eyes an Optrex bath.
- In the mornings, wake them up with elderflower or similar gel.
- For feet, nothing can beat washing them in hot water, followed by a rinse as cold as you can bear, and a massage using foot cream.
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