Even if you no longer go on vacations, there may be times you must travel for business or to attend family events. Leaving home for any reason, especially when traveling by airplane, requires careful planning as we are required to bring more items from home and need to fit them into less luggage. What follows are some suggestions for how to get from here to there.

What to Pack:
One of the biggest challenges is bringing everything you need and still be able to fit it into a regulation-sized carry-on bag plus one check-in suitcase that weighs less than 50 pounds when packed (airlines will assess a fee if your bag weighs more).

Let’s start with the carry-on:
Meds. To save space, you can use pill organizers, but ONLY if you are traveling within your own country. If you are going to ANY foreign country, your meds MUST be in their original prescription bottles. If you take anything that is absolutely essential; such as heart medication, insulin, etc., bring extra prescription forms in case your medication is stolen, lost, etc. so you can get these refilled. Warning about the pill organizers: they tend to come open during long flights, so store them in zip-lock bags in case that happens. If you require anything that might be suspicious to security, such as needles, bring a note from your doctor stating the necessity of these.

Wearable air purifier. Airplanes recycle their air, and it only takes one passenger with a cold to put you at risk for catching it. I bought a small air purifier that I wear on a cord; this blows clean air into your nostrils, and if I add a little water to it, it provides some much needed humidity too. Put it on as soon as you’ve gotten to your airplane seat. I have shown mine to curious flight attendants and security personnel and have had no problems.

Shampoo, soap, lotion. If you can tolerate brand-name stuff, buy travel size, purchase it after you arrive, or use what the hotel provides. If your health condition requires special products, you can buy empty small plastic bottles and pour your shampoo or lotion into them. I avoid bringing full-sized bottles with me because of the weight. Put all bottles in zip-lock bags so they won’t explode in your carry-on and make a mess.

Pillow. If you require a special pillow, bring it in your carry-on, but see if there is a travel-sized one available.

Small first aid kit. There are travel-sized ones available; if you have an old one, check it to make sure nothing is outdated and that you still have band-aids.

Moist heat packs, wearable thermal patches. Obviously, only bring the heat pack if you’ll have access to a microwave. I like to heat them up and use them at bedtime to help me get to sleep. The thermal patches weigh less and are more convenient than pain-relieving gels or creams.

Sunscreen. If your illness makes you photosensitive and you’re going to a tropical location, you’ll need waterproof SPF 50.

Special eye drops, mouth products, or other OTC items you need to treat your illness. Don’t assume you’ll be able to find them easily in your destination, unless you are going to a large city.

Camera. Security won’t take responsibility if you put it in your checked bag and it becomes damaged, so put it in your carry-on. I recommend digital, if you have it, so there is no chance of x-rays exposing your photos. Also, digital cameras usually weigh less.

Other stuff. Think small and lightweight, travel-sized if you can find it. For instance, I have a tiny hairdryer that folds up and zips into a case. Small travel alarm clocks are handy. Put stuff you don’t want to get wet, like cotton swabs and feminine protection, in zip-lock bags. If you can’t do without makeup, choose one tube of lipstick, one color eye shadow, etc. Don’t forget your toothbrush and a case to carry it in.
Now for your suitcase:
Deliberately under-pack when it comes to everyday clothing. For long trips, plan on wearing each outfit more than once or doing laundry at some time during the trip. The only exception I make is socks and undies: I do bring enough for a fresh pair every day.

Plan for the extremes of the climate/season in which you’ll be traveling. For instance, winter in North Dakota requires a heavy jacket, gloves and hat. Bring clothes that you can layer, like a tank top with a matching cardigan that goes over it. Don’t forget that even desert/tropical climates can have excessive air conditioning indoors, so bring a lightweight sweater if you chill easily. A fold-up umbrella and hat to protect you from the sun can be godsends. Be sure to bring a pair of comfy sweats or shorts and a t-shirt or sweatshirt for lounging.

Don’t forget night apparel if you’ll be staying with relatives or friends. For summer, an oversized dark t-shirt and shorts should do. If you’ll be spending a lot of time swimming or at the beach, bring two swimsuits so you can have one to wear while the other is drying. When I went to Hawaii, I also brought two pair of aqua shoes. Bring kitchen trash bags to put wet suits or shoes in if you have to travel before they dry. Bring a suit cover-up if you’ll have to walk a long way to the pool or beach.

Bring a good pair of walking shoes and a pair of dress up shoes. Don’t forget panty hose if you’re bringing a dress or skirt.

The less you have to fuss over your clothes, the better. If something wrinkles easily, consider leaving it at home. Some items you can steam in the shower without having to iron them.

Make sure you leave some empty space in your suitcase because you almost always return with more stuff than you left with, due to shopping and souvenirs.

Airports:
If you fatigue easily or normally use a cane or walker, by all means consider using a wheelchair in the airport. This is no time to “tough it out” and risk exhausting yourself to the point where you won’t be able to enjoy your destination. This is especially important if you will be leaving from or arriving in a large city. With increased security, there is no easy way to predict how long you will have to wait in line. Also, check-in can easily become backed up with just one cancelled flight. I have not taken advantage of wheelchair service and lived to seriously regret it….last year, I returned to my hometown from an out-of-state funeral, and the plane pulled into gate 64, AND the escalators were out of service! I figure I walked at least two miles to baggage claim, limping most of the way and in tears from pain. Some airlines offer express check-in if you have purchased your tickets ahead of time. This saves a lot of waiting.

The less complicated you make things for security, the better. Try not to have more than two items to keep track of: just a carry-on bag and either a purse that you can wear or a jacket with pockets. I use either a fanny pack or a lightweight flight bag that I wear diagonally from shoulder to opposite hip. These keep my hands free for my carry-on bag. I don’t bring jackets along unless I can wear them without being too warm, because I tend to leave them someplace when I am distracted. Most airports require you to remove your shoes when going through security, so consider wearing shoes you can easily slip on and off. This will save you looking for a place to sit to tie or buckle your shoes when you need to put them back on again.

Take advantage of baggage carts, or, if you can afford them, sky caps. Managing more than one bag without a cart will use up spoons you’d rather save for fun things. If you’ll be taking a shuttle someplace, bring enough small bills for tips and let the shuttle operators load and unload your bags.

On the Airplane:
When booking your flight, consider the advantages and disadvantages of direct flights vs. connecting ones. If you have a connecting flight and your first flight arrives late, you may find yourself having to run through an airport to catch the second plane. Direct flights avoid that problem but require you to sit still for longer periods on the plane, which may be difficult. And remember that if you have to spend all day catching various planes to get to your destination, you may be completely out of spoons before you even get to your destination.

Try to board early if you have mobility problems so you won’t have to rush getting to your seat.

Do not sit in an exit row unless you are physically capable of opening the emergency door and assisting other passengers. If you are inadvertently seated in an exit row and should not be, please ask to change your seat before the plane takes off.

If a flight is not full, and you will be more comfortable with an empty seat next to you, ask if you can arrange that.
Put your carry-on bag under the seat in front of you if possible. I have injured myself trying to get carry-on bags in and out of overhead compartments.

Don’t forget anti-nausea medication for your flight if you require it.
Chew gum during takeoff and landing to minimize ear pain and
congestion/popping ears.

Be aware that flights under three hours in the US no longer serve meals. You may luck out and get a sandwich, or you might be handed a few peanuts and have to make do with that unless you bring your own food. If you must eat frequently for health reasons, bring something to snack on. For short flights, I prefer health bars because they are so portable. Avoid chocolate-covered snacks unless you can keep them cool.

Even if you are offered a soft drink on the plane, make sure you have bottled water with you as the air is so very dry and you can become dehydrated much faster than you think. Avoid drinking alcohol on the plane as this will dehydrate you as well.

For long flights, if you require a diabetic, low sodium, high protein or vegetarian meal, request it at the time you book your flight. If you require gluten-free meals, most airlines no longer offer them, even if you write them nice letters and explain to them how easy this would be for them to do. And some flight attendants don’t have patience with special requests. One told me I should have requested a diabetic meal because she didn’t know the difference between gluten and glucose! So those with celiac disease or wheat allergy must bring their own food. Here are some ideas for hassle-free, gluten-free travel foods: organic jerky, small bags of baking nuts, plain corn chips, baby carrots, apples, canned peaches or pineapple with pull-top
lids, small cans of tuna with pull-top lids. If you bring an insulated lunch bag, you can add things like yogurt or cheese.

Once the “fasten seat belt” sign has been turned off, get up and stretch frequently, especially on long flights, even if this annoys the flight attendants. An aisle seat may be best if you don’t want to climb over other passengers. If you are prone to lymphedema, wear support hose. Do what you can to avoid problems with circulation, fluid buildup, joint or muscle problems from immobility. Many airplanes have the air conditioning up high, so if you are sensitive, wear a long-sleeved shirt on the plane. I wear something with sleeves that I can roll up, should it get too warm.

Accommodations/Dining:
If you require special meals, must eat more than three times a day, or simply do not have the energy to go out to eat frequently, consider renting a condo. Or, barring that, a hotel room with a mini fridge and a microwave. That way, you have more control over when you eat, what you eat and how much. I have a friend who brings a special pancake mix from home. She buys eggs and milk from the grocery in her destination city and stores them in the mini fridge and cooks the pancakes in the microwave. Voila! A hot breakfast without leaving the room.

You don’t have to wear yourself out cooking, either. When I’ve rented condos, I would buy enough food to cook once a day and snack two or three times a day. I would make easy things like scrambled eggs, broiled chicken, steamed asparagus or corn and snack on stuff like shrimp cocktail from the grocery store, fruit platters, cottage cheese or popcorn.

If you consider eating the local cuisine to be part of the travel experience, go to restaurants for lunch instead of supper. The wait is usually less, the prices lower and the portions not excessive. Of course, if you can’t finish your meal and you have a fridge where you are staying, you can just take the leftovers with you. When I went to Hawaii, I would eat out once each day or every other day, and would order a different kind of local fish each time.

When booking accommodations, request rooms on ground floors or near elevators so you don’t have to haul suitcases up any stairs. You might also want to check the proximity of grocery stores, laundry facilities and parking to where you will be staying. Remember that hotel staff’s version of “easy walking distance” and your version may differ. I found this out when I had to walk six blocks to get groceries and then had no energy to carry them back. And don’t forget to request a non-smoking room if you are allergic.

Consider staying someplace with a pool, hot tub and/or exercise facility. These come in handy if you’ve been sitting in planes all day and need to rid yourself of stiffness and soreness. I find that when I’ve been sightseeing all day, if I don’t soak in a hot tub before bed, I’ll get leg cramps that will keep me from getting any rest at all. I like to stretch in the pool, maybe do a lap or two if I’m up to it. Private Jacuzzis are awesome, but they can make the room or condo costs too high.

Sleeping in a strange bed can be difficult for a healthy person. For someone with chronic pain, it can be impossible to get any rest on the bricks that pass as hotel beds. This can make or break a vacation. So if you cannot tolerate an extra firm mattress, as soon as you have dropped off your luggage in the room, head to the nearest Wal-Mart/Target/K-mart and buy a cheap egg crate mattress topper and put that between you and the mattress. You don’t have to take it with you when you check out.

If you have trouble remembering to take pills, put on sunscreen or various other health related things while on vacation, plan what you will need a day ahead of time and place these things where they normally are in your home or at least in plain sight. I have a horrible time in order to get going in the mornings, so if I have a tour or need to check out early the next day, I shower the night before and just get my hair wet the next morning to save on prep time. I also have a Boost drink available for breakfast. If I am going someplace the next day that I am unfamiliar with, I check maps, mileage etc. the night before. And the night before I check out to go back home, I pack up as much as possible and have everything that I will need in the morning in plain sight so I won’t leave anything under a bed, in a drawer, etc.

I’m hoping these tips will take some of the negative stress out of traveling and leave you with more spoons so you can enjoy yourself. With some planning and organization, travel can be a delightful adventure. Go out and explore!

Written by Guest Author, Karen Brauer