Summer vacations are all about exploring new places, relaxing, and soaking up the sun—or avoiding it altogether! However, if you’re currently on a physical therapy journey, fitting your therapy routine into a busy and unconventional schedule can be challenging. Nevertheless, maintaining your therapy routine is crucial to staying on track with your progress. Research shows that even a two-week break from exercises can result in noticeable decreases in muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. So, consistency is key!

Whether you’re heading to the beach, mountains, or a bustling city, here are some tips to make sure your therapy stays on point:

Plan Ahead

Before you hit the road or board that plane, chat with your Set physical therapist about your travel plans. We can give you exercises that are easy to do on the go and suggest ways to adjust your routine to fit your adventure. We want to help you prioritize the most important exercises for maintaining your progress so that you’re still balancing work and play appropriately.

Pack Smart

Throw in any therapy tools you might need, like resistance bands, massage devices, and therapy balls. Look for portable options that won’t take up too much space in your luggage. Collapsible foam rollers and mini massage guns can go a long way! Having these tools handy means you can keep your therapy routine going strong, no matter where your travels take you.

Set Realistic Goals

Understand your limits and set goals that make sense for your trip. Think about how much time and space you’ll have each day for your therapy exercises when you plan your trip with your physical therapist. Sometimes even 5-10 minutes of your exercises can help you make progress and prevent any setbacks!

Use Your Surroundings

Make the most of where you’re staying. Whether it’s a hotel, a cozy rental, or even a tent, look for ways to fit in your therapy exercises. Use stairs for leg workouts, take a beach walk for balance practice, wrap a resistance band around a tree, or find a park bench for some good stretches.

Stay Consistent

Try to stick to your therapy routine as much as possible. Whether it’s part of your morning routine or something you do before dinner, staying consistent will keep you moving toward your therapy goals.

Stay Hydrated and Rested

Traveling can be tiring, so drink plenty of water and electrolytes and make sure to get enough rest. These things are essential to helping your body recover and will keep you feeling your best on your trip.

Reach Out for Help

If you’re not sure about an exercise or you’re feeling uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to reach out to your physical therapist. We can give you tips from afar and make sure you’re doing your exercises safely and effectively.

Celebrate Your Progress

Remember, keeping up with your therapy while you travel is a big deal. Celebrate your hard work and all the progress you’ve made. Every little bit helps you get closer to feeling your best.

Happy travels!

With a little planning and a lot of adventure spirit, you can make sure your therapy routine fits right in with your summer travels. Keeping your exercises going strong will keep you on track with your recovery goals and leave you plenty of time to enjoy your vacation.

Here’s to a fun-filled adventure and continued success on your therapy journey!  We can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back.

Resource: Chen, Y.-T., Hsieh, Y.-Y., Ho, J.-Y., Lin, T.-Y. and Lin, J.-C. (2022), Two weeks of detraining reduces cardiopulmonary function and muscular fitness in endurance athletes. European Journal of Sport Science, 22: 399-406. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1880647