Post-drive drowsiness is a real thing RVers have to deal with. We can blame our human physiology. Sitting for long periods slows circulation, which our body misinterprets as us attempting to fall asleep. It tries to help…by making us sleepy. Even though it’s probably the last thing you feel like doing at the end of a drive, exercise is a great way to wake back up and get your body functioning as it should be.
Here are 4 fantastic energy-producing exercises to try after your next road trip. Each one counteracts the joint compression that occurs from the sitting position, and will give you a caffeine-like boost to make you more alert. You’ll be able to tackle those hook-ups, set up your camp, AND get the campfire going like a champ.
FORWARD-LUNGE KICKWALK:
Begin with your left leg lunged forwards and your hands behind your head. Smoothly shift your weight onto the left leg as you lift your right leg and kick it forward before placing it down in a right-leg forward lunge. Continue to repeat taking alternating lunge steps forward, and kicking your leg before setting it down. Do 12 steps. Do this exercise slowly.
TABLE PLANKED KNEE CRUNCHES:
Place your hands on the table top and step your feet away so that your body is planked diagonally. Lift your left knee and lower your head as if trying to get your knee and nose to meet. Draw your belly button back towards your spine and allow your spine to round. Then, extend your left leg back and up without touching it down and lift your head so that your face is slightly angled up to the sky. Do 12, and then repeat on your right side.
CLAPPING WALL PUSHUPS:
Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width and step your feet back as far as you feel comfortable so you’re in a diagonal plank. Spread your fingers and turn them slightly in. Perform a pushup making sure your hips stay aligned with the rest of your body, your elbows come out to the sides, and your heels rise off the ground. Next, forcefully push yourself away from the wall until you’re standing with control and clap once. Repeat 12 times.
SIDE-LUNGE JACKS:
Stand with good upright posture, feet together, arms straight out so you’re making a “T”. Lunge sideways to the right, and bring your left hand to your right leg (advanced, touch your ankle; beginner, don’t lunge as deeply, just touch your inner thigh). Make sure on the lunge, you turn your toe out at a diagonal and ensure your knee follows the same pathway as the toe. You want your non-lunging leg to remain straight. Step your feet back together, and now repeat the move on the left side, so that you are alternating sides each lunge. Repeat the move 12 times (once to the right and once to the left equals one repetition).
THAT’s all there is to it! And really, you don’t have to wait until the drive’s over to do these exercises. Try them throughout your drive each time you stop! The more you move throughout a long day of driving, the less extreme the post-drive fatigue will be. And who wants to be tired when you’re on an RV adventure!!!
Happy and healthy travels, all!
Trainer Stef from The Fit RV
