Travelling When Sick

Travelling when sick sucks. Fact. Trying to transfer your carefully curated set of coping mechanisms, routines, supports and meds to another place - let alone another country, across borders and through airports - is incredibly difficult.

As someone who has to travel occasionally, there are a few tips I've picked up that, while simple, make a big difference in surviving travel of any kind:

Travel Survival Tips

  1. Always carry all your meds in your carry-on. Trust me, you do not want to be stuck somewhere without them.
  2. Only take comfortable clothes and shoes with you. Everything else is a waste of space.
  3. Carry a portable blanket and pillow in your carry-on. Planes are uncomfortable and unless you're a Rockefeller, you'll need to be prepared to take care of yourself comfort-wise.
  4. Consider wearing pyjamas on the plane. It doesn't matter if you look silly. Also, you won't look silly. Most other people will be jealous that you're so comfortable.
  5. Inform the airline ahead of time that you may need extra help/time. Do not let their wheelchair policies intimidate you.
  6. Plan for hotels/somewhere to stay close to your arrival airport. Flying is draining and you don't want to have to get on a train or schlep your way through transit before you can rest.
  7. Wherever possible, arrange your own transport so you are not reliant on others.
  8. Take emergency food rations with you, both while travelling and during your stay at your destination. If your routine relies on eating at certain times, having extra boosts of energy, or only eating certain types of food, always be prepared to cater for yourself, even if you're with other people.
  9. Drink lots of water. Just, all the water.
  10. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
  11. Eat at regular times; jet lag is a bitch, especially if you have fatigue issues, so start right by eating at appropriate meal times, regardless of how you feel. Ditto for switching timed meds.
  12. The same is true of daylight and exercise - the more you get of both in the first few days in a new time zone, the quicker you'll adjust.
  13. Remember: you don't have to apologize for the accommodations you need for your health, and you don't have to justify yourself.
Stay safe and remember that travel is possible, as long as you plan ahead!

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