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Light and easy travel

Let not travel-related aches and pains caused by wrong handling of luggage mar your holidays

DOWNSIZE THAT SUITCASE Pack what you need

You are travelling either for that crucial business meeting or to enjoy that long-awaited annual holiday. As you travel you imagine the deal coming through or you dream of wading through the blue waters. But wait a minute. Let not these beautiful thoughts be marred by travel related aches and pains.

Travel and holiday have become part of the modern man's itinerary. They have also been recognised as a therapeutic practice to unwind and relax. Earlier while the frequency of trips was few the time spent on holidays or away from home was longer. Today, however, the rate of travel and the time spent on tours have increased considerably .

Travel related ailments that many are unaware of crop up unexpectedly and play spoilsport ruining pleasure and business trips. Studies have shown that many of our chronic aches and pains would have actually originated from clumsy and hasty handling of luggage while travelling.

Many an injured back, neck or shoulder may be due to careless and sloppy travel practices like rashly lunging or hoisting massive, bulky suitcases or bags.

Travel light

A few rules before venturing out can make your journey free of aches, pains and sprains. Pack rationally. Never stuff your bag with more than what you require.

Was there ever a time when you wore all the clothes you packed?

Most of us always pack double the quantity of clothes we actually need. The return journey is always done with suitcases stuffed with shopping and gift items making them bulkier.

When lifting heavy suitcases, to shift or place them in the rear of the car, always bend you knees simultaneously. Using leg muscles will thus help spare those vulnerable ones in your back.

Choose suitcases with wheels and with more than one handle for facile movements and easy grasping. Today, many prefer to carry smaller bags instead of wrestling with huge, unwieldy ones. This distributes weight proportionately. If you are hauling a sling bag switch shoulders the moment you feel the strain. When lugging a backpack strap both shoulders so that the weight is evenly distributed.

Injury free

Once you have reached your destination avoid dumping suitcases under the cot. Instead place them on a stool or stand. This prevents the need to bend down, drag and lift the bulk on to the bed each time you want to take something out. Thus you avoid dangerous twists and strains.

The most serious injuries can occur when trying to retrieve suitcases from the overhead locker of an airplane. The contortions, twists and twirls the body undergoes during this operation can put extra pressure on the spine that can cause sprains, ligament strains, muscle rupture or even a herniated disk.

To avoid this, position yourself with your toes pointed in the direction of your hands that are trying to recover the suitcase. Turn your body only after you have lowered the bag to the floor and never while in the process of lugging it down. Hasty twisting of neck and body before this is damaging.

Let not your travel and sightseeing be marred by aches and pains caused by wrong handling of luggage. A few precautions, taken in time, can make your trip fun and fulfilling.

HEMJIT BHARATHAN

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