Traveling can be really good for the soul. You get to see another way of life when traveling to other areas of the world. How other people operate in their countries, what they eat, what they do for fun, and more. Even domestic traveling can give you the opportunity to see how people live in different cities. All in all, traveling can be an eye-opening experience, but when you are traveling with certain medical conditions, it can make the actual travel process uncomfortable. Luckily, there are things you can do to have a peaceful travel experience (within your control) while living with arthritis.
Traveling And Inflammation Go Hand In Hand
When traveling, if you’re going far, then you are most likely sitting down for long periods of time and this is actually not very safe for your body.
Even if you aren’t going far, if you’re traveling and prone to inflammation in the joints because of a certain medical condition or illnesses, prolonged periods of sitting down can cause discomfort and flare-ups. Sitting in the same position for too long without moving around, can cause swelling and stiffness to the joints because of the lack of mobility they get. Stiffness and swelling can then cause a flare-up.
Another reason why you may have an inflammation flare-up when traveling is because of the stress that comes with traveling. If you didn’t know, stress is a huge factor as to why you may experience a flare-up.
Trying to make sure everything goes well when traveling can be tiring, especially when there are things that are bound to happen that are out of your control.
Another indicator for flare-ups is the change in your diet that happens when traveling. It’s hard to find healthy foods and or snacks in the convenience stores and though the airport may have a better variety to choose from, the prices of everything are insane. This is bound to cause anyone stress.
RELATED: 5 Health Hazards You Probably Don’t Think About When You Fly But Should
What To Do To Prepare For Travel
When traveling in order to keep your stress levels down as much as you can, try incorporating these organizational tips:
- Make a list. Things that you need to pack, what still needs to be done, doesn’t matter, just make a list for them all.
- Storage. Make sure you store your important documents, medications, etc somewhere that's easily accessible when you’re moving around and them in a place you will always remember.
- Pack your own food. Now you may not be able to bring liquids into the airport, but you can definitely bring your own food. This will ensure that you stick to your diet without any worries.
- Do your research. Learn as much as you can about where you’re going, how long it will take to get there, and other important information needed in case of an emergency.
- Stretch before you board. Whether it’s the plane, train or car, get in a few stretches beforehand.
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How To Manage Your Arthritis In The Air
Now that you’re on the plane, it’s time to get moving. When traveling via car or train, it’s definitely easier to be mobile because there are often stops that can be made when traveling on land.
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Flying is different for obvious reasons (less space to move, nowhere for the plane to stop, etc.) so here are 5 great exercises you can do to prevent a flare-up:
- Get up and walk around. Try walking to the bathroom or working your way from the front of the plane to the back of the plane and then back to your seat.
- Lift and lower your toes while keeping your heels planted on the ground.
- Do the opposite of example 2. Lift and lower your heels while keeping your toes on the ground.
- Sit straight up with your feet planted on the ground. Lift your knee as high as possible and hold it there for a few seconds, then slowly put it down. Repeat on the other leg.
- Sit up straight with your hands and arms by your side, then bring the palms of your hands to your shoulders. Then slowly bring your hands back down towards the floor, turning them so your palms are facing your knees until your arms are completely extended.
Extra tips: Pay for extra legroom and or book an aisle seat if possible. Bring an extra blanket or pillow to support your back or a neck pillow for support during a nap.
Ready For Takeoff? Here Are Some Airlines That Will Best Support Your Travel
Not all airlines have the same functions, so it’s important to fly with airlines that have amenities to help make traveling with arthritis easier. When looking for space, try flying with JetBlue or American Airlines. These two are rated and highly favored for their spacious seating. For passenger satisfaction, Delta Airlines was at the top of the list of best airlines to fly with.
Regardless of how you travel, just remember that it is doable even when living with arthritis as long as you take the extra and necessary precautions that you need.
