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Holiday
Travel Tips
Traveling during the holidays is a stressful undertaking -
even more so if you have arthritis. Long check-in lines at airports, cramped car
seats, and unpredictable weather can make you dread your favorite holiday.
Don’t let travel worries ruin your holiday plans. Here
are some tips to help you have a happy holiday season.
General Tips
- Plan, plan, plan. Have your holiday
plans mapped out well in advance so you don’t have to scurry around at the
last minute making travel plans, booking hotels or coordinating with family
and friends.
- Pack
smartly. Don’t wait to the last minute to pack for your trip. Plan out
beforehand what you will need. Take clothing items that can be mixed and
matched to cut down on the amount you pack in your suitcase. A suitcase with
fewer items is easier to carry and clothing stays fresher.
- Roll
along. Make sure you use a suitcase with rolling wheels and a pull-up handle
so you are not putting unnecessary stress on your joints.
- Rest
up. You will enjoy your holiday more if you make sure you get plenty of
sleep. Make sure you don’t burn the candle at both ends on the days
leading up to your holiday trip.
- Post
your packages. Don’t carry cumbersome holiday gifts with you. Shop online
or stop by the post office before you go and ship all your packages before
you leave. Remember to leave plenty of time for the slower holiday
deliveries.
- Book
a room. Consider staying in a hotel, even if you are invited to spend your
holiday with family or friends in their homes. Sometimes in the hectic
holiday atmosphere, it is nice to have a place you can go to relax and have
some quiet time to yourself. Also, your hotel also may have a place for you
to exercise or a good-sized tub for a hot soak. Make sure that your hotel
can accommodate any special needs you may have, such as wheelchair
accessibility, a room near the elevators or accessible bathrooms.
- Medical
insurance. Carry extra prescriptions on your person so you can replace any
lost medication.
- Bring
a snack. Carry a bottle of water and a small snack like fruit or peanut
butter crackers so that you don’t get hungry or dehydrated.
Air Travel
- Don’t
dally. Make your reservations well in advance of your travel time to make
sure you have your choice of flight times and seats.
- Make
your needs known. When you make your reservations, find out whether the
airline can accommodate your needs. You may want to arrange assistance in
boarding and exiting the plane, request a wheelchair be waiting for you at
the gate, or board and exit the plan before other passengers.
- Bring
the bottles. Keep medications in their original bottles and carry a note
from your doctor in case you are questioned by airport security.
- Speak
up. Remind the gate official when you check in of any special requests that
you had so that they know who you are ahead of time.
- Have
a Plan B. Always bring a lightweight carry-on bag to hold your medications,
a change of underwear and socks, a toothbrush and other vital items. If you
are stranded en route, because of bad weather or a missed connection, you
may not have access to your checked luggage.
- Move it. During
your flight, try exercising in your seat. Roll your shoulders in a circle,
and flex your ankles, hands and fingers. Whenever possible, walk up and down
the aisle or to the restroom.
Car Travel
- Rent
a ride. If you don’t think your car will be comfortable for your drive,
consider renting a car that is. If you need suggestions, check out the Arthritis
Today
Car Guide.
- Watch
the time. Plan your driving time carefully to make sure you don’t get
stuck in traffic. You might find it easier to drive a night or before the
morning rush. If you can, travel during the week instead of on the weekend.
- Be
flexible. If you aren’t feeling up to driving, don’t push it. Postpone
your trip one day. Or if you get tired, pull over and walk around, have cup
of coffee or get a light bite to eat.
- Plan
your rest. Stop every hour or so to walk around and stretch. Rest areas are
great for this.
- Share
the road. Get someone to share the driving with you. That way you can switch
off as needed and everyone feels better when they arrive.
If You Can’t Travel
If you don’t feel that you are up to traveling this
holiday season, don’t fret. Stay put. You can still have a wonderful holiday
without leaving home.
- Bring
the family to you. Announce that you’d like to host the holiday gathering
this year. A holiday gathering can be planned over time and being at home
can cut down on the stress of entertaining.
- Start
a new tradition. If you’ve gone to Aunt Bessie’s house every year of
your life for Thanksgiving, but you are not quite up to it this year, stay
home this year. Get together with friends or in-town family instead.
- Let
someone else cook. Cater or go to a restaurant for your holiday meal. Invite
anyone who you want to join you.
- Reach
out and touch someone. Keep in touch with your loved ones even if you don’t
join them for the holidays. Call during their celebration and have them pass
the phone around so you can visit with everyone.
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