If you’ve ever been on a long car ride, you most likely know the feeling. I’m talking about the one that makes you seriously question if your body is slowly decaying. For instance, when you have to re-adjust and tighten your muscles frequently just to see if they are still there. When you start dwelling on the fact that you just took down a family-sized bag of Smartfood out of sheer boredom because eating and sitting was more fun than just sitting. Oh, you haven’t done that? Yeah… me neither… (awkward side glance). I’ve done some long road trips and I fully plan on doing more so I thought I would list some things that help you feel good while enduring long hours in the car on your way to your next adventure.
Food
Meals and snacks play a large role in how you feel physically and mentally throughout the trip. Eating the right food can help you stay awake, feel less lethargic, and aid in avoiding the crummy feeling of sitting all day. Now keep in mind that I am no nutritionist, doctor or food expert. I know that everyone’s body is different and some things that work for one person may not work for another. In my experience, healthier food does wonders for feeling better on long car rides (and in everyday life). Food that keeps you fuller longer and is not overly processed is my go to. Having these options is easiest if you hit a grocery store instead of a gas station. So here are some meal and snacks ideas for you to try out on your next trip.
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Top 3 meals:
Wraps - bringing some tortilla wraps of your choice makes throwing together an easy to eat meal SO convenient. Deli meats, hummus, some veggies and hot sauce can hold you over and bring joy to your senses.
Deli meat wrapped around just veggies themselves. I tried with turkey wrapped around red pepper or long cut cucumber with a thin (okay thick) layer of guac. Very delicious and easy to make. I love these smaller sized meals because they are easy to eat and/or have your co-pilot feed you.
Canned foods in some Tupperware - throw in some lettuce, beans, avocado, shredded chicken, anything you want and make yourself a freakin' delicious combination of flavors and then be able to store some for later!
Top 3 snacks:
Healthy protein bars - keep you full for a long time without the crash of really processed bars packed with sugar. I’ve recently been on the RX Bar train, and with 12 grams of pure, whole food protein they do wonders in making sure that blood sugar doesn’t dip too low.
Raw veggies + hummus - so good and easy to eat while on the road (it’s legal to dip and drive!).
Banana + nut butter (don’t fix what ain’t broke, this snack is timeless and will be a classic til I die)
On car rides, I love eating things that are easy to eat but also on the lighter, healthier side. This is because I’ve found that processed stuff I buy at gas stations usually makes me incredibly awful and also very tired. It’s my own fault, though, Synder’s honey mustard pretzels… like, c’mon, I dare you to look me in the eye and say you can stop after two handfuls. Hey don’t lie to me, I’m your friend. Long story short: quality foods will make you and your body happy on a long car ride, so bring ‘em.
P.S. Don't forget napkins.
Activities
Getting up out of the car and moving when you take breaks is imperative. Your muscles and body will thank you. It improves circulation, muscle function and keeps you awake. My recommendation to keep your bod feelin’ good is to take frequent stops and to get out and move a little bit.
Short workouts - if you’re doing a multiple day road trip, working out after a long day on the road or before you take off in the morning will feel so good. You won’t feel nearly as tired during the day and even the smallest things will help. If you don't want to go for a short run on a break, even just jogging from the car to the gas station is beneficial. Doing bodyweight stuff such as squats and push-ups may seem slightly aggressive but it’s simple and it is great for your body to move after being stagnant for so long.
Stretch - feels good, does good.
Keep the brain intellectually stimulated
Feeling your brain start to turn to mush during long car rides is its own form of hell. Commercials, songs you’re sick of and your thoughts trying to drown out some dumb station can drive a person mad. I recently found out that if I am listening to people discuss things or a great story, time FLIES so much faster. I used to only like listening to music on long drives, but once hour 6 rolls around, no more music for me. I need to be listening, learning or engulfed in another world whether it be fiction, fantasy, murder or history. Podcasts and books on tape have changed the game for me. It’s a deep deep world and I think everyone could find something that tickles their fancy. Learning while driving is awesome, so why not give it a try? I look forward to long drives when I have something to listen to that makes me forget what I am doing or how much further I have to go. Both podcasts and books on tape are obviously personal preference, but if you are open to suggestions:
Podcasts I enjoy:
- Stuff You Should Know
- 48 hours (or any twisted murder stories)
- The Way I Heard It
Books:
- Harry Potter (any and all, duh)
- Game of Thrones
- Any scary murder ones (if you're sick and into that stuff like I am)
- Inspirational and uplifting books
Give ‘em a listen!
Whether or not you’re making a short trek or a thousand mile long journey, feeling good inside and out allows you to enjoy the adventure all the more. These are the 3 things I pay attention to when trying to feel good on the road, hope they help you if you are embarking on a long journey soon! Safe travels, friends :)
