Why keeping your body and mind active whilst away is important*
Travelling can present different challenges for those with LTHCs. Wherever you intend to travel for leisure or for business. Whilst important to enjoy your trip or to fulfil the objectives of the journey you are facing — it’s important to notice changes to your normal structured routine.
Pain and sleep management will be important. Pacing and listening to your body are essential. Mental health, movement and recovery factored in.
Pleasure
Travelling, especially for leisure has fun, happiness, escape and memory-making at its heart. But for those with LTHCs symptoms and stresses follow too. The temptations of just stopping everything and going with the flow could lead to an increase in symptoms.
Maintaining health and mental well-being whilst away will make your trip that much more enjoyable. Maintenance of ‘physiotherapy’ and ensuring medication is taken correctly and at normal times are basics that should be included in your daily routine.
Under-estimating the difference in the position of your body, the type of food you select and even the social element whilst travelling could cause an increase in symptoms.
Distractions are there and are really helpful. They enable us to have that special time — connect with others and what is going on around us. But they can also mean we can easily miss warning signs we are usually dialled into.
Maintaining your fitness levels whilst away
Exercise and movement whilst away may be different. But at the same time, just a few minutes could be helpful and enjoyable. Spread throughout the day in simple sets. Just when you remember. It’s great for the body to have a break as well as the mind.
Complete physiotherapy and summer holidays explore how to take care of an injury whilst on holiday. They also encourage us to think carefully about additional strains put on the body. Lifting and carrying luggage — navigating airports — managing the noise and crowds of people.
Advocating that those with chronic conditions should do some maintenance whilst away. Working with a physiotherapist should enable you to have some basic exercises you can do so you don’t come home in pain and with the frustrating situation of putting your hard-earned progress to waste.
How to maintain physiotherapy when on vacation by Absolute Physio Care supports this with three main points. Asking your therapist to provide an exercise plan. Asking how the activities you wish to participate in will impact your progress. Then get some digital assistance.
Remember all those online videos created during the pandemic? They still exist and could easily be transferred whilst away. Downgrade the intensity, duration and frequency. You may even find there are exercise opportunities locally that you can enjoy.
Before you Travel - planned sporting activities
If you are embarking on an active break or heading off to compete in a sporting competition then ensure you are well prepared! Sitting on a coach, train or plane in a different position than normal could cause a whole range of problems. As could trying out an extreme sport without any physical exercise preparation prior to departure.
Food intake
Nutrition and diet can be very different depending on where you go. A nutritional supplement such as Complan can be useful. Ensures you get your key vitamins and minerals but also allows you to enjoy the local cuisine — perhaps take on board some unhealthy treats.
Additional support for specific LTHCs
If you are fortunate enough to be heading abroad language can also be a factor. The Pituitary Foundation have some translated steroid awareness cards. France, Spain and Turkish are currently available. Alert medical professionals about your condition in case of an emergency. Read their blog with all of their travel tips: https://bit.ly/3HqNpjF
Many health charities offer the same support for different LTHCs. It’s worth looking. Could save you some time, and reduce pain levels. Ensure your body and mind are both ready.
Top things to take with you!
A plan of what activity you are going to do whilst away
Resistance bands and light weights can work well
Massage rollers or balls are great for relieving muscle spasms
Self-heating heat pads
Basic vitamins and minerals
Most of all — enjoy your trip whatever the reason. Every outing is an opportunity. To improve confidence, support our health and well-being and allow for some rest. The chance to try new activities. Or the implementation of hard work and training for a competitive sport or fund-raising opportunity.
You can get more tips from American NFL Player Tom Brady's Travel Tips blog.
Physiotherapy and summer holidays
How to maintain physiotherapy when on vacation
The Pituitary Foundation — Travel Tips Blog
TB12 Sports - Tom Brady Travel Tips
*Please remember that these blogs are very real to us. We are on the same journey. It’s tough, slow and frustrating. Most of the Scenarios we face ourselves. Sometimes we find what we print useful. Other times we don’t. It’s included because everyone's journey is different. We have passionate perseverance to help others. To dispose of all content would be a waste and a disservice to our readers.