By Zahava Griss
photo by Trey Ratcliff
Many of you know me as the petite and energetic person sitting at the desk welcoming you when you walk into Acorn Wellness Center. You may have noticed I was away for 2 weeks in July. I’m grateful to be able to tour a few times a year to perform and teach retreats on dance and sexuality. Last week as my plane touched down at the Oakland Airport I rode directly to Acorn for an adjustment to relieve some neck pain from my recent show which involved high impact contact improv, knee pads, and a disbelief in gravity.
We are in the season of adventure and travel. Many of us are visiting family, attending festivals, or preparing for Burning Man. I wanted to offer this article about self care during your summer adventures.
Why do we adventure or travel? Perhaps we seek connection with loved ones, vacation from our daily stress, or a wild new experience of radical self expression… Sometimes we think of travel or adventuring as a time to let go of our self care, stay up later, play harder, but that doesn’t necessarily help us fulfill the intention of the adventure.
Do you ever return home feeling exhausted or overwhelmed? What if you could partner with your body to have a more connected, easeful, and clarifying adventure? What if you could return home and feel liberated, clear about your life priorities, and connected to your body?
Here are some tips to resource your body and nervous system on your adventure:
- Drink water. More water. It will help your thinking, your connective tissue, and it cleanses you, especially if some of your adventures are accumulating inside your body.
- Less can be more. Sometimes we think if we have more stimulation it will create a deeper experience. Sometimes doing less, pausing, and slowing down can actually give our nervous system a chance to integrate so we can actually be more present and feel more. Bring ear plugs and an eye mask. It can be really helpful to cocoon yourself and have an early night in silence.
- Got a lot to pack or move in your travels? Don’t hesitate to ask for help. As someone who is 4’9” tall and who doesn’t pack light… bend your knees and lift from your legs while engaging your abdominals.
- Going to sit in a car or a plane for several hours? Stretch before and after, especially your hip flexors which will be shortened when you are sitting.
When you are sitting in the car or plane take breaks to circle your neck, roll your shoulders, interlace and stretch your hands overhead to lengthen that spine and then stretch side to side and twist. Remember your spine is a living thing. (And if you’re like my dad, you might find it exhilarating to move in two different directions at the same time!) - Nothing like coming from the airport to Acorn to release your stress after a day of travel. Schedule your chiropractic care in advance for when you return or call us when you come home.
Blessings on your adventures!