Life is about making memories! Positive memories!

Enjoyable memories! An abundance of memories!

This list of tips and essentials are sure to help you prepare for your travels, enjoy the traveling, and recuperate at a higher level, with or without chronic illness!

Tip #1 – Ask for help –

If you’re traveling with heavy bags or awkward luggage (first and foremost try to pack in easy to roll and lift luggage in case you are alone) but ask for assistance, don’t tire yourself out before you even arrive.

If you’re young and don’t look sick (like most of us) most people won’t understand, but a polite request for help, such as “I don’t want to reinjure myself” most people I find don’t ask a lot of questions. They assume a physical injury that can’t be seen because you’re ‘almost’ healed.

And it’s not lying, how many times have we hurt our hands, back, hips, knees, and ankles just by doing a little too much?

Tip #2 – Prepare for your trip –

If you will be going somewhere doing more activities than usual, try to slowly lead up to these prior to the trip so day one doesn’t leave you using up all your energy.

For example, if there will be much more walking than usual start adding a little extra walk each day before your trip at least 1-2 weeks out. Just a simple extra walk to the mailbox or walking the dog another house down before returning, or even easier, during work breaks and lunch make a lap around the office or out to your vehicle area and back.

Not adding in miles per day and not jogging or anything strenuous but you would be surprised what that little extra blood flow can prepare you for during your trip. However, the sudden increase of exercise activity could make you out for the count on your trip. If you aren’t used to even walking to the mailbox but try to walk around Disney all day, most likely day 2 will not meet you very pleasantly.

#3 – Stick to your daily routine as best as possible –

If you do exercise, continue doing so during your travel, unless your travel is more strenuous than your normal exercises.

If your travels will be including more exertion than your typical day at home, replace your exercise routine with a short morning walk that’s just enough to stretch well before the day adventures or allow your activities to be the replacement but try to keep your activity level consistent.

Be sure to stretch again at night before bed to help relax those tense muscles that haven’t been used in a while and are possibly a little agitated.

#4 – Know your location and surroundings –

• Map out where you’re staying and what’s available around.
• Try to stay close to a pharmacy, grocery story, and restaurants.
• Know where and how to get to the closest hospital or urgent care and their hours/contact information stored in your phone and your companion’s phone.
• If for business, get the itinerary prior so you can plan out time to rest in between events or what you’re able to skip for needed rest.
• If for vacation/pleasure, don’t fill your plate every day to be action packed. Be sure to spread out events to accommodate for rest. Also, don’t plan more than one strenuous activity in one day or back-to-back. Be mindful of keeping stress and energy exertion low while enjoying your activities.

What to pack when traveling with a chronic illness:

This list is a combination of items for all traveling accommodations and not specifically for a road trip, flight, or other means. I decided not to categorize on this specific post because something suggested that may apply more for a road-trip style of travels may remind someone of something they will need or want upon arrival to their destination after a flight, etc.

So, take it or leave it style. Read this list with an open mind of all stages of your traveling, what would’ve been useful on past travels and what you want to include in future adventures!

• Soft squeeze travel size containers  (BPA free) for  toiletries and even condiments
• heated blanket or seat cushion and neck pillow (don’t forget the car adapter)
• High SPF sunblock
• Wide brimmed hat (preferably foldable)/beanie for cold weather areas
• SPF protection clothing
• Sunglasses
• Heating pad and/or microwaveable/freezer pack
• Medical jewelry if applicable
• Small first aid kit:
  • Hydrocortisone and Benadryl cream
  • Essential oils/creams or arnica to aid in relaxation, lower anxiety, restful sleep, and joint/muscle discomfort
  • Medications or Supplements for the duration of the trip plus a couple days just in case
  • Any OTC or meds you use during a flare or ‘bad days’ in addition to daily routine medication and supplements
  • Eye drops
  • A good throat coat tea to aid in coating mucus membranes and soothing dry or swollen throat
  • B vitamins, probiotics, Vitamin C, Omega-3s  –  there are some suggestions to increase certain supplements the week prior to travel and during to aid in preventing getting sick and travel fatigue (I personally make adjustments to my supplement routine specifically for travel with my physicians recommendation so talk to your physicians, prior to changing anything in your routine, and see if that’s an option for you)
  • Lists – Medical information card, medications, allergies, vaccinations and contact information for all of the doctor’s involved in your treatment in order of primary care
  • Emergency contact list (these people should be considerably knowledgeable in your conditions and treatment if possible, even if they don’t understand it)
  • Alcohol wipe packs to wipe off seltzer water cans, handles, the airplane seat area, etc
  • Mosquito/bug spray… need I say more? Let’s not have any crazy reactions if possible
  • Earplugs – why in first aid? Migraines and sound sensitivity, that’s why
  • lip balm (dried lips can crack leaving you susceptible to infection or sicknesses easier)
• Cooler (if possible):
  • Plan to have enough healthy snacks/food while on the road & in case you aren’t up to going out or if there are no healthy options
• Reusable tupperware and cutlery (I pack a mini dish wash liquid inside to keep clean)
• Paper towels
• Water bottle with filter or bring enough water/plan on visiting a grocery store
• Earbuds
• Audio playlist of books or good music for the trip and to relax
• Comfy clothes to keep in mind:
  • Leggings with soft yoga waist band and long sleeve undershirt – can be worn under clothes or slept in if cold climate
  • Compression socks/stockings, gloves/mittens, and scarf (or sarong for warm climates)
  • Comfy shoes (break them in before you go!)
  • Clothes that breathe well in hot areas and are comfy if high inflammation or bloat strikes
• For destinations you’ll be outside a lot, consider a beach tent to protect you from the UV rays and heat of the sun
• Battery operated hand fan – yes, we’re cold a lot but you don’t want to get overheated either
• Cooling headband. Again, let’s not get overheated. You can use this not only on your head but your wrists or around your neck to keep you cool
• Day bag or travel backpack – in case you have an outing so you can bring meds, spf, etc. without your whole suitcase
• Raincoat or umbrella. Or if you’re like me a big beach towel to dry off- rain doesn’t bother me it’s actually quit refreshing! It’s the cold afterwards that hurts so I keep something to dry off with and a blanket around to prevent getting cold after.

Some additional resources for you that I personally enjoyed reading are listed below!

• This article at Best Life has some great tips to stay healthy during plane travels and trips. (Be sure to talk to your doctor about the recommended supplements and vitamins for your specific needs before changing your routine in any way)
• Straight from Lupus Foundation of America, these travel tips mostly should be common sense but hey that brain fog is crazy sometimes and for the newly diagnosed we don’t always think of the little things in our daily routine because it’s not normal to us yet. And for those of you that are helping family or a friend with chronic illness, this site will help you understand and guide them in the basics as well. This list helps you make sure you don’t forget the obvious or even maybe not so obvious.
• This site has great tips from a travel blogger. She pretty much thought of everything someone may need for a great road trip, just be sure to put the chronic illness preparation spin on it.

Do you have some go-to tips or essentials that have made traveling more enjoyable for you or a loved one with chronic illness?

I’d love to read them in the comments below!

Chat soon and God bless!