Noticias

Why You Arrive Tired Even When You Slept on the Plane

It's not the time zone. It's the seat. You researched the hotel. You booked the right seat on the plane. You packed everything you needed and probably a few things you didn't. (So it’s not just me!)  And then you sat in that seat for four hours and didn't think once about what it was doing to your spine. Or your body. You’re not alone. Most people don’t. And why would they? You’re on vacation, you’re your way, the only concern you should have about this time is what movie to watch. But that seat can be the trigger for why so many of us step off a plane feeling like we need a day to recover before the trip actually begins. It’s a particular kind of tired that has nothing to do with how far you traveled. You know the one. You land, collect your bag, make it to the hotel, and then, before you've even unpacked, you feel it. That underlying tightness, the dull ache, and the slow-burning body fatigue. Even though you did everything right. You slept, you stayed hydrated, and you stood up every once in a while. And yet you still feel like the journey took something out of you. Here's what's actually happening. Airplane seats and even car seats, for that matter, are designed around an average body that doesn't really exist. The lumbar support they offer rarely matches yours. The headrest hits most people in the wrong place. And the recline, which feels like relief, often just shifts the pressure rather than removing it. Reclining the seat back without any motion in the seat increases the back angle, fatiguing the lower back and putting pressure on your tailbone. When your spine isn't supported in a neutral position for two, four, or six hours, your muscles do the work instead. They hold. They brace. They quietly compensate for the entire journey. You don't feel it while it's happening. You're watching a movie, reading, or finally catching up on sleep. But your body is working the whole time. You might add a little fidget as the muscles message the brain for adjustment, but the limitations while you travel just aren’t conducive for spinal support. That's why you arrive tired. Not from the distance but from the effort your body made to hold itself together while you got there. Before your next trip, pay attention to three things. The gap test. Once you're settled in your seat, whether in a plane or a car, notice whether your lower back is pressing against the seat back or whether there's a gap between your lumbar curve and the seat. A gap means your muscles are doing the work your seat should be doing. A small lumbar support closes it. Inflatable back rests are the perfect travel companion, but if you're in a pinch, a rolled-up jacket can buy you some space on a long flight. Do you find yourself shifting positions every hour or so, searching for something that feels right? That's the gap talking. The headrest test. Where does the headrest actually hit you? For most people, it sits too high, hitting the back of the skull instead of cradling the base of the head and neck. When that happens, your chin drops slightly, your cervical spine curves forward, and the muscles across the back of your neck work to hold your head up for the entire flight or drive. It doesn't feel dramatic. It rarely does. But a few hours of that subtle forward position is often exactly what shows up as neck pain or upper shoulder tension the next morning. Finding a cervical support pillow can be a problem, especially when faced with airport options. Most of what you'll find there is designed for convenience, not support. Knowing what works for your neck before you leave is worth the five minutes it takes to find out. The morning test. Pay attention to how you feel the first morning of your trip versus the last. If you arrive stiff and loosen up over the days that go by, the journey is the problem. If you arrive feeling fine and leave feeling worse, the hotel bed or pillow is worth a closer look. The good news is that none of this requires a major overhaul. A small lumbar support fits in a carry-on. A properly fitted cervical pillow takes up less space than you think. Knowing what to look for before you leave means you arrive ready, rather than spending the first day of your trip recovering from the journey. After all, who wants to delay that well-earned vacation? If what you notice sends you looking for answers, Relax The Back is here for that conversation. Until next time. Recommended products: U-Shaped Travel Pillow Self-Inflating Back Rest ContourSide travel pillow Any seat wedge