There are a surprising number of fitness opportunities in and around airports you can take advantage of when travelling for business. Opportunities that require little time or equipment but will benefit you enormously in terms of reducing travel stress and ensuring you arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to go. We recently reviewed Stansted Airport and found ample opportunities exist while you wait to board your flight.
At Stansted Airport
Don’t underestimate the benefits of walking. It can improve your blood pressure and reduce blood sugar levels. Your body is designed to move and a target of 10000 – 12000 steps is easy to achieve when you’ve got a whole airport at your disposal. Here are a few step statistics for Stansted to get you moving:
- 950 steps from the short term car park to the terminal
- 350 steps from the Stansted Express to the terminal
- 510 steps from Arrivals to security check-in
- 600 steps through Duty-Free to the far end of the departure lounge
- 750 steps for a circuit around the Departure lounge
If time is on your side head out to Hatfield Forest which likes just 1km south of Stansted Airport. Run by the National Trust, wildlife is abundant in the forest and the Trust recommends a 3km walk around the lake.
Queuing is often a frustrating and time-consuming part of business travel but you can actually work out whilst you stand in line. Transform your queuing experience and work your deep core muscles whilst your wait. Stand up straight and gently draw your navel in towards your spine. Hold for 10 seconds and release whilst continuing to breathe normally. Repeat for the duration of your queuing experience!
There are accessible stairs at Stansted Airport so use them! Research shows regularly taking the stairs when travelling is good for healthy bones, cardiovascular fitness and it helps with weight management too. The stairs by emergency exits 8 and 9 are easy to find and rarely in use – speed walk up and down them a few times for a low-intensity workout.
During your flight from Stansted Airport
Ease any tension in your neck and shoulders by dropping your shoulders and gently tilting your head so your right ear moves towards your right shoulder. Hold but don’t strain for 5 seconds and then lift and tilt to the left. Repeat five times.
You can also work your core from your seat during your business flight. Simply lift your right hip off the seat, hold for five seconds and lower and then do the same movement with your left hip. Repeat ten times.
And you can continue to add to your steps on board too. When safe to do so walk up and down the aisle – it will also help to decrease your risk of DVT.
Exercise doesn’t have to take place in the gym and it doesn’t have to involve a change of clothes or specialised equipment. Think outside the box and you’ll start to see opportunities for exercising when travelling for business everywhere.
For more detailed information on reducing the strain of your business journey through Stansted Airport head over to Amazon and grab a copy of our latest publication Healthy Business Travel: The essential guide to Stansted Airport. You’ll quickly learn how to enhance your wellbeing, long-term health and business performance.
© ExtraVitality 2018
by - [-]
Price: -
