In the past month I have been doing a lot of traveling here and there to family. I love to travel, well I should preface that, I love to go places and see things, immerse myself in different cultures and experience life. The traveling to get there can be a bit tiring and leave me feeling like I wished I had just stayed at home. For all the myriad of commuting adventures I have endured to arrive at my final destination, its more often than not been worth it.
How we get to where we are going can often determine how successfully we are able to enjoy our travel adventure. At times when we are not at our optimal health, it can be a grueling and dawn ting series of difficult moments strung together in what seems like an eternity that leave us in worse shape than when we started.
Recently I took two flights within one week while I was experiencing a flare-up. Now I would not recommend doing this under any circumstances, however the timing of this particular travel was unforeseen and required my attendance at a family obligation. Though I was already fatigued, disorientated and uncomfortable physically due to the flare-up, traveling to my destination was made all the more doable due to my approach.
I utilized what was at my disposal to create the easiest commute possible within a reasonable budget and with minimal effort. Here are some tips to make traveling while flying comfortable that I have found particularly useful.
1. Bulkhead seating- Did you know there are special “assigned seats” that are offered to people with physical disabilities? The advantage of these seats is that they can be aisle seats and sometimes have extra leg room. These seats are different from the seats you may find when booking online that are sometimes termed “priority seating”.
Often “priority seating” require you to pay an additional fee when booking your ticket. Bulk head seats don’t have an extra fee. Most airlines that I have dealt with are more than willing to accommodate me when I explained that I have a medical condition. Seats are based on availability and sometimes require that you wait until check-in to see if anyone else with a priority disability (ie. wheelchair bound) might need the seat.
2. Tennis ball or golf ball- Ensuring that you keep your circulation flowing while traveling is important for anyone who travels. This can easily be managed by getting up ever so often and walking the aisle. If standing up during flight is not doable and you find yourself cramped in a window seat, you can make sure your body is still getting some good motion by using a tennis ball or golf ball at your feet. Taking off your shoes, place your feet directly on a tennis ball or golf ball and rub your feet in a light back and forth motion. This action stimulates the blood flow throughout your body. Its also a great little massage. Pack this along with some good supportive compression socks and you are good to go.
3. Goodie bag it- These days much of what we used to get for free like snacks, meals and totting a nice big bottle of water are either unavailable or cost extra. With this in mind, its helpful to carry a nice bag of goodies that you can rely on to keep you fed along with some healing remedies should you need some extra comfort in a bag. You might include tea bags, inflatable pillow, blanket, slippers, eye mask,peppermint oil and small packets of electrolytes.
4. If you can afford it check it- I know its not the most affordable option these days when traveling. We are all trying to pack our belongings into one bag to carry on the plane, to save an extra buck. But when our low energy hits, we need to make the best of the conditions that we face and one way that I have found has made a big difference is traveling light.
Consider how to optimize travel when you are feeling at your worse. What are the ways that you can ensure you have some comforts of home while en route? Share your tips and lets pack our bags for our next destination with these goodies in stow.
