Resort Travel
There are many kinds of travel and many methods for that travel and many reasons for travel. All affect pain in a different way.
In the Jackie Gardner- Nix book The Mindfulness Solution to Pain she states that there have been many studies that show that generally, chronic pain sufferers have less pain while on vacation.
So traveling to a vacation destination is a good way to get a break from the pain. It is the heat, relaxation, and different environment for sure; but mostly it is the carefree mindset that allows us to unconsciously drop our intense pain at the airport and pick it up as we head home again. So little wonder that those of us who suffer from chronic pain want to go to a sunny destination and be waited on hand and foot for a week. That is especially true of those of us who live in Canada during the cold winter months. It is good for us, research has shown it - and most importantly, we know it.
Since a case can be made for travel, let's talk about the logistics of getting there and back, with the least amount of discomfort. For this purpose I will discuss resort get aways, in a later post I will discuss more adventurous (for me anyway) travel.
The first thing to consider is the size of the resort or destination you are visiting. If you can, choose a smaller resort as that usually works best. A bigger resort can work too, if you have a good look at where you will be, compared to the main attractions like the pool, beach and restaurants. We have stayed in both; Dreams Tulum in Mexico is a beautiful small resort with all the amenities - and we have stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe in Jamaica which is huge and equally beautiful. Both can work with some preplanning.
Ask for a room that is central and not to far from elevators. Is your room accessible enough for you? What kind of bed do your prefer, and can you get room service, when, and if you need it. Having long walks just to get to meals and the pool may not be the break you need. Being in the middle of the resort gives you easy access everything.
Once you have decided on the country, the resort and the room, have a look at flight options. When at all possible fly out of your home city, or have an overnight in the city you are flying from. Make that a part of your vacation plan. When looking at flights, try to get a direct flight. If that is not possible look for the least amount of time waiting at airports, leaving enough time so you are not rushed. Ask for assistance from the airline when booking your flight if needed, and remind them again of your needs at check in. Looking for assistance after the fact, is not a guarantee that you will get it, unless of course your disability is visible.
While this seems like common sense, it can sometimes get lost in the excitement of planning a fun trip. Choosing an aisle or a window seat depends fully on how long the flight is. If it is on the longer side, book an aisle seat because getting up to stretch and walk around is crucial for chronic pain suffers. If you plan to sleep, the window seat with the side wall of the plane to lean against, may be the best choice for you. Book seats early and book the most comfortable seat you can afford. You can go to www.seatguru.com and it will tell you which seats are where on the aircraft you are flying on.
Some of the items I have decided not to leave home without are; a neck pillow, earplugs, iPad and a pashmina type scarf. The neck pillow is self-explanatory as it makes it far more comfortable to doze off. Earplugs have been my saviour when there is a crying baby, loud talking people or just too much buzz. However my best travel friend has to be my iPad. I use it as my reading device, which eliminates the need to carry heavy books. It is a computer, therefore I can use the Internet when there is wireless. The iPad is also great for reading newspapers, checking my email, using Facebook, playing games and listening to music. This helps pass the time and keep my mind occupied. The one thing that has been increasingly more important to me is meditation. The iPad also contains my meditations.
Travel light! I can't say this enough. The more "stuff" you have with you, the more confusion you have keeping track of it, and the more you - or somebody else has to carry. I try to either have a purse or a carry on, not both. Combine as much as possible.
I highly recommend that you bring prescription medication both in your carry on and packed in your suitcase. If you lose either you are covered. That being said, bring extra. I have always packed more than enough and on a recent winter trip it got tested to the limit. I had packed five extra days worth of medication and then we got hit with a terrible winter storm. Our flights got delayed and eventually cancelled, daily - until finally, five days later with the last of my medication completely used, we finally made it home. That was a serious predicament, I do not ever want to have to deal with again. It is very unlikely that a doctor who doesn't know you, will prescribe any kind of pain medication for you. It is no longer acceptable to fax prescriptions for pain medications from pharmacy to pharmacy as it has been in the past. So pack lots and pack it smartly. I also have photo-copied receipts of my prescriptions for travel out of country, in case there is a problem at the border.
At airports and customs, look for disability lines and choose them, as it will cut back on standing time and lesson your pain. Don't let pride interfere with your holiday. Make it easier on yourself.
Once you have arrived at your destination be grateful you are there, take it in, enjoy the fact that you have this time ahead of you. If your travel partners have different abilities and want to explore the more adventurous side, embrace it for them and enjoy the quiet time for yourself. There is usually Aquafit in the pools, a language course or something more sedentary to take part in. Give yourself a chance to relax after the journey and have an easy first day. Remember, for those of us with physical limitations, they come with us, and we must respect them while we are away, and not do too much. Things will go well on our holiday if we listen to our bodies needs.
Bon Voyage!!
In the Jackie Gardner- Nix book The Mindfulness Solution to Pain she states that there have been many studies that show that generally, chronic pain sufferers have less pain while on vacation.
So traveling to a vacation destination is a good way to get a break from the pain. It is the heat, relaxation, and different environment for sure; but mostly it is the carefree mindset that allows us to unconsciously drop our intense pain at the airport and pick it up as we head home again. So little wonder that those of us who suffer from chronic pain want to go to a sunny destination and be waited on hand and foot for a week. That is especially true of those of us who live in Canada during the cold winter months. It is good for us, research has shown it - and most importantly, we know it.
Since a case can be made for travel, let's talk about the logistics of getting there and back, with the least amount of discomfort. For this purpose I will discuss resort get aways, in a later post I will discuss more adventurous (for me anyway) travel.
The first thing to consider is the size of the resort or destination you are visiting. If you can, choose a smaller resort as that usually works best. A bigger resort can work too, if you have a good look at where you will be, compared to the main attractions like the pool, beach and restaurants. We have stayed in both; Dreams Tulum in Mexico is a beautiful small resort with all the amenities - and we have stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe in Jamaica which is huge and equally beautiful. Both can work with some preplanning.
Ask for a room that is central and not to far from elevators. Is your room accessible enough for you? What kind of bed do your prefer, and can you get room service, when, and if you need it. Having long walks just to get to meals and the pool may not be the break you need. Being in the middle of the resort gives you easy access everything.
Once you have decided on the country, the resort and the room, have a look at flight options. When at all possible fly out of your home city, or have an overnight in the city you are flying from. Make that a part of your vacation plan. When looking at flights, try to get a direct flight. If that is not possible look for the least amount of time waiting at airports, leaving enough time so you are not rushed. Ask for assistance from the airline when booking your flight if needed, and remind them again of your needs at check in. Looking for assistance after the fact, is not a guarantee that you will get it, unless of course your disability is visible.
While this seems like common sense, it can sometimes get lost in the excitement of planning a fun trip. Choosing an aisle or a window seat depends fully on how long the flight is. If it is on the longer side, book an aisle seat because getting up to stretch and walk around is crucial for chronic pain suffers. If you plan to sleep, the window seat with the side wall of the plane to lean against, may be the best choice for you. Book seats early and book the most comfortable seat you can afford. You can go to www.seatguru.com and it will tell you which seats are where on the aircraft you are flying on.
Some of the items I have decided not to leave home without are; a neck pillow, earplugs, iPad and a pashmina type scarf. The neck pillow is self-explanatory as it makes it far more comfortable to doze off. Earplugs have been my saviour when there is a crying baby, loud talking people or just too much buzz. However my best travel friend has to be my iPad. I use it as my reading device, which eliminates the need to carry heavy books. It is a computer, therefore I can use the Internet when there is wireless. The iPad is also great for reading newspapers, checking my email, using Facebook, playing games and listening to music. This helps pass the time and keep my mind occupied. The one thing that has been increasingly more important to me is meditation. The iPad also contains my meditations.
Travel light! I can't say this enough. The more "stuff" you have with you, the more confusion you have keeping track of it, and the more you - or somebody else has to carry. I try to either have a purse or a carry on, not both. Combine as much as possible.
I highly recommend that you bring prescription medication both in your carry on and packed in your suitcase. If you lose either you are covered. That being said, bring extra. I have always packed more than enough and on a recent winter trip it got tested to the limit. I had packed five extra days worth of medication and then we got hit with a terrible winter storm. Our flights got delayed and eventually cancelled, daily - until finally, five days later with the last of my medication completely used, we finally made it home. That was a serious predicament, I do not ever want to have to deal with again. It is very unlikely that a doctor who doesn't know you, will prescribe any kind of pain medication for you. It is no longer acceptable to fax prescriptions for pain medications from pharmacy to pharmacy as it has been in the past. So pack lots and pack it smartly. I also have photo-copied receipts of my prescriptions for travel out of country, in case there is a problem at the border.
At airports and customs, look for disability lines and choose them, as it will cut back on standing time and lesson your pain. Don't let pride interfere with your holiday. Make it easier on yourself.
Once you have arrived at your destination be grateful you are there, take it in, enjoy the fact that you have this time ahead of you. If your travel partners have different abilities and want to explore the more adventurous side, embrace it for them and enjoy the quiet time for yourself. There is usually Aquafit in the pools, a language course or something more sedentary to take part in. Give yourself a chance to relax after the journey and have an easy first day. Remember, for those of us with physical limitations, they come with us, and we must respect them while we are away, and not do too much. Things will go well on our holiday if we listen to our bodies needs.
Bon Voyage!!
