Stay Supple
Easy Rider, June 1999

Flying can be a wonderful way to travel. But on longer journeys, getting stiff can be a problem.

Keep supple with this simple mini - workout. To relax your neck and shoulders, sit upright, chin on chest. Then roll your head in a big, slow, clockwise circle. Really feel your neck relax. Repeat three times then reverse direction. Next, raise your shoulders and roll back in a big circle, bringing your shoulder blades towards each other. Repeat, then circle forwards so your upper back feels a stretch.

Now, hunch both shoulders, hold for three, then totally relax, breathing out and letting shoulders drop. To prevent your ankles swelling, help circulation by raising your feet, toes pointing upwards, keeping both heels on the floor, feel the stretch in your calves. Then raise your heels, pressing on the balls of your feet. Follow this by slowly rotating your ankles.

To lessen dehydration, drink plenty of water and keep both face and hands well moisturised. For tired eyes, rest the heel of each hand on your cheekbones, palms resting lightly over your eyes. Rest, relax, and feel the difference. If you are travelling with small children, preparations for the journey may leave you exhausted before you even start your holiday.

Once in a negative frame of mind, the smallest thing can turn into a major problem. This creates a knock - on effect by affecting those around you. Pretty soon everyone is feeling tense. So what better time to unfrazzle your mind and think yourself into the holiday mood? Positive or creative thinking helps turn things around.

What we think affects how we act and feel. So, it's a question of selecting what to think. Try this. Relax and let your mind drift. Mentally let go of irritations, and focus on the good things instead. You've made it, you're here. Now see things just as you'd like them to be, and forward think yourself into your holiday. See yourself arrive smiling and happy. Every arrangement going just as you planned.
Any doubts and worries begin to dissolve, as you watch everything simply work out. Whatever the scene, concentrate on every detail. Activities, colours, sounds and smells. Make a mental note of how you feel. Now stay with it, sit back, and take it easy as you watch everything actually fall into place.

You'll feel so good that not even the merest blip disturbs your state of mind. We all gravitate to a happy disposition. This way you not only enjoy yourself, you'll be the one everyone wants to be around.

© Susan Mumford, 1999