The holiday season often comes with long car rides, flights, and hours spent sitting at family gatherings. While the festivities are joyful, they can take a toll on your body—leaving you feeling stiff, fatigued, and achy. The good news? With a few intentional mobility moves, you can keep your body feeling energized and pain-free no matter where the season takes you.
Why Mobility Matters
Mobility isn’t just about flexibility—it’s about maintaining strength and movement through a full range of motion. When we sit or stay still for long periods, certain muscles tighten while others weaken, creating imbalances that can lead to discomfort, poor posture, and even injury.
The solution? Gentle, targeted movements that loosen tight spots, activate underused muscles, and improve circulation.
Holiday Travel? Try Mobility Squats
One of the best ways to combat stiffness during long car rides or flights is by incorporating mobility squats into your routine.
Here’s how:
- Stop every 90 minutes. During a road trip, take a break to walk and stretch.
- Do a set of squats. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and lower your hips as if sitting into a chair. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
- Add movement: Shift your weight side-to-side or add arm reaches to increase your range of motion.
These simple squats keep your joints lubricated, improve circulation, and prevent that “stiff and sore” feeling when you arrive at your destination.
Unlock Hip Mobility with These Moves
The hips are one of the most commonly overlooked areas when it comes to mobility. Sitting for long periods can tighten the hip flexors, leading to lower back pain and reduced range of motion.
Here’s a quick hip mobility drill to try:
- Stand near a chair or wall for support.
- Perform a hip circle by drawing one knee up, out to the side, and then down in a controlled motion.
- Reverse the direction of the circle and repeat 5-10 times on each leg.
This move opens up your hips, improves balance, and eases stiffness.
Make Mobility a Habit
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of movement. Whether it’s a set of mobility squats during a long drive or a quick hip opener before bed, small steps can make a big difference in how you feel.
With a little attention to mobility, you can stay energized, reduce stiffness, and fully enjoy the moments that matter most.
Want more? Join us inside Wavemakers for guided workouts tailored to help you move better and feel your best. Don’t miss our Lower Body Mobility Workout—a 10-minute session designed to unlock your full range of motion and keep you moving freely.
Let’s make this holiday season the most capable one yet!
