Now that the weather is warming up people are getting outside and planning roads trips. Cross country or day trips can be a lot of fun, but not if you’re plagued by chronic or acute pain. Today, we share six tips to help you control and alleviate pain during a long road trip.

1. Break Up The Trip – This point is probably the most obvious tip. If it’s painful to sit for hours on end, do yourself a favor and break up the trip with some stretching. Find a rest stop every hour or so and move around for a couple minutes. Doing this will keep your joints from getting stiff.

2. Plan Ahead – Banking off point number one, plan ahead so you have time to get out and stretch during a particularly long road trip. Leave a little earlier so you have time to get out and stretch your legs.

3. Medication Management – Once again playing off the above tip, use some foresight when it comes to managing your pain medications. Make sure you pack enough of your prescription to get you through the trip, and if you’re running short on supply contact your physician to ensure you don’t run out mid trip. As always, when traveling with medication, keep them away from children in child-safe containers.

4. Take Turns – If you’re traveling with friends or family, take turns driving. Consider switching every time you get out to stretch, eat or go to the bathroom. Although you’re still stuck in a car, having a little more room and being able to take your eyes off the road can help keep pain from setting in during the trip.

5. Eat Right – If you’re planning on eating on the road, pack a healthy lunch or opt for a healthier fast food option. Certain foods can trigger flare ups, so don’t just load up on junk food.

6. Pack a Mix-Tape – As my colleague Dr. Lance Silverman recently shared on his blog, audio therapy is helping children control pain after surgery. Audio therapy can help take your mind off the pain and put you in a better state of mind. So cue up your CD player or iPod and jam out on your cross country trip!