If you spend hours stuck in traffic or your job involves you being on the road for a long time, or even if you are the designated driver for a family holiday up the coast, you should take time to l

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ook after your spine. Remember that car seats are designed according to safety regulations and don't necessarily take your postural health into consideration. Here are some tips from the Alexander Technique that you should practice every time you're in the driver's seat.

1. Before you hop in your car, take a minute to stand still and stretch. Let your body lengthen as if someone was pulling a string from the top of your head. Slowly feel your shoulders relaxing and feel your feet anchoring you solidly to the ground. Allow your mind to become calm and let go of all negative thoughts.
2. Slowly get into your car. Consciously sit down with both feet outside the car, then carefully swing both feet into the car.
3. Make sure that your car seat is in an upright position and sit right back in it, so that your whole back touches the seat back. To stop you sinking too far back, put a small cushion in the small of your back.
4. You should be in a comfortable position so that you don't have to stretch to reach the pedals. Adjust your seat so that your feet reach the pedals comfortably and your hands don't hang over the steering wheel. You should grip the steering wheel lightly, but firmly with your hands in the "ten-to-two position."
5. While reversing, do not twist your head to see behind you, rather drop your nose to your shoulder and slowly turn round. This will help to lengthen your spine.
6. Whilst driving, be constantly aware of where you hold tension. Is it in your legs, arms, shoulders, back or hands? Consciously relax these areas, especially if they've given you problems in the past. Your body should be kept soft and relaxed while you drive. (Health24)

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