Car stress busters

Scenic Stretch.
If you have a drive that lasts more than an hour or two, plan for a stop to get out and stretch your limbs for a few minutes. Ideally, stop the car at a scenic spot with a breathtaking view. Don't just stand and look - stretch and look! But even if the view isn't terrific, the stretch will feel great and improve the view (mentally as well as visually). Following are 5 minutes of stretches you can do against your car. First, roll down the window on one car door, then shut the door so you can hold onto the sill. (If you'd like to get as far away from your car as possible, you can do these stretches against a tree.) Hold each stretch for 15 to 30 seconds.

• Back and Arm Stretch. Stand arm's length away from the car door. Lean forward at the waist and hold onto the sill of the open window. Your body should be bent at the hips at about a 90 degree angle. Slightly bend your knees and push your weight behind you, breathing deeply.
• Chest and Shoulder Stretch. Turn around so your back is towards the car door and you're holding onto the sill behind you. Roll your shoulders back and lean your body forward away from the car, chest thrust forward.
• Calf Stretch. Face the car and hold the sill with both hands, standing close to the car. Bend the left leg slightly as you step the right leg back as far as it can go with the heel pressed down. You'll feel a stretch in the right calf. Then bring the right leg forward a few inches and slightly bend the right knee, keeping the heel down. You'll feel the stretch go lower in the calf. Repeat both positions with the left leg.
• Quad Stretch. Face the car and hold the sill with the left hand. Reach back with the right hand and bend the right knee with the foot behind you until you can hold onto your right ankle (or sock, or pant leg, if you can't reach the ankle). Try to keep the thighs together and straighten the back. You'll feel the stretch in the front of the right thigh. Repeat with the left leg.
• Hip Flexor Stretch. Step back with the right leg. Keeping the left knee bent and directly over the ankle, slide the right leg back until you sink into a lunge, right toes on the ground, right heel lifted. Bend the right knee just to your point of comfort. Don't let the left knee go forward of the foot to avoid stress to the knee. Change legs.
• Hamstring Stretch. Stand about 3 to 4 feet behind the car. Put your right heel on the bumper, keeping a very slight bend in the knee. Lean forward until you feel the stretch in the back of the right thigh. Repeat with the left leg.
• Lower Back Stretch. Stand close to the car, touching it with your left hand for support. Bring your right knee up towards the chest until you can hook your right arm underneath it. Pull the leg in closer until your lower back stretch says, "Ummmm." Repeat with the left leg. (If this position is awkward, prop your lifted foot against the car and lean forward, rounding your back.)

Excerpted with permission from Anytime, Anywhere Exercise Book: 300+ Quick and Easy Exercises You Can Do Whenever You Want by Joan Price. Joan is a fitness expert, speaker and author whose website (www.joanprice.com) offers plenty of motivatiing exercise information and tools to help you reach your goals.