Ok kids, travel season is here (although, let's get real, when is it not travel season?!) and as fun as that is, it can also be pretty exhausting for some of us. I don't know how you feel, but hours in a car or plane is not ideal for me. I mean, I'll endure it because it's necessary to get somewhere fabulous, but it's definitely not my jam. While trips can be uncomfortable for anybody, traveling with dysautonomia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) can be especially tricky. Among other things, sitting in one position for too long can cause drops in blood pressure and exacerbate pain, two things we definitely don't need anytime, especially when on vacation! It's also easier to get dehydrated when flying or traveling to warmer climates, and us spoonies know dehydration is a definite no-no. Add in a change in routine (and eating foods that you wouldn't normally indulge in) and your entire system can get thrown out of whack (I'm talking digestion, sleep, and overall cloudiness). While a chronic condition does make things worse, you don't have to suffer from one to notice the effects of travel. Being in a cramped car or plane too long, or just getting off a normal routine, can throw anybody off their game. So how do I beat the travel blues and make sure my trip is top notch every time? I'm glad you asked! I've put a lot of time and effort into experimenting with what works best for me and am honored to share my hacks with you. Hopefully these tips will help make your travel experience great too!

Traveling with those you love is always a necessity

First, I pack a goodie bag full of all the self-care items I need to stay healthy and strong. Since most of my issues usually revolve around low blood pressure, low blood volume, pain, stomach function, and low energy I mostly focus on those areas. For me, that means loading up on items full of energizing nutrients, extra salt, and electrolytes. I make sure to take enough to hold me over for the entire duration of my trip and focus on staying healthy rather than trying to get myself back on track after something happens.

My first tip, tomato juice. It contains lots of sodium to give BP a boost and the fluid helps to increase blood volume, plus it provides much needed nutrients for when we're on the road and sometimes skimping on healthy meals. I'm huge on going organic because it means our bodies have less work to do without having to fight off all the chemicals, freeing up more energy to use for living life! So, I generally use R.W. Knudsen Very Veggie juice (I really love the spicy version - although that isn't the best for summer heat, so I try to reserve it for cooler months). That said, as far as I can tell my favorite brand only comes in quart glass jars. Big bummer! Since these do need to be refrigerated after opening, I only take them if we're staying in a condo or a room with a fridge. When that's not the case, I let myself off the "organic only" hook and pack several individual cans of V8 instead.

Next up, salt tabs. I make sure to take a bottle of 1 gram salt tabs with me wherever I go. My doctor prescribed up to eight grams a day, so as long as I stay within that limit I'm not concerned. While that sounds like a lot to the average person, anyone with dysautonomia or EDS knows the importance of extra salt in our diet. While mine are prescribed you can purchase them over the counter, just make sure to talk with your physician about what dosage would be right for you. I can tell when I need one by the way my body feels, but if you aren't familiar with taking them having a guideline is very helpful. That said, salt tabs make me hold more water which is extra helpful when I'm on a trip where I'm more active than usual or am in a hot climate. They also give bp a nice boost. That said, the little bit of experience I have with Ayurveda taught me that salt can be heating. So, while I need more salt to hold water I also pay attention to how my body feels. If I'm getting overheated more easily by adding salt I back off a bit. It's all about balance.

The next thing is electrolytes. When on the road it's important to balance electrolytes in order to stay upright and healthy. If you're taking in extra salt, losing more water than usual, or are on a high fluids regimen you're going to want to replenish yourself with electrolytes in order to hold on to key nutrients and stay in balance. Two of my favorites are Vega Electrolyte Hydrator and Ultima Replenisher. I especially like these because they have no added sugars, are gluten free, non-gmo, vegan, and taste great. I also love that they come in individual packets, perfect for when I'm on-the-go. I just add one to a bottle of water, shake, and enjoy. On the flip side, if I'm going to be near my room a lot I take a larger container and just scoop out what I need when I need it. This also works great for when I'm at the beach and packing a large cooler of liquid rather than taking individual bottles. I also always pack a few bottles of Vitamin Water Zero and/or water with added electrolytes to have in the car, in the room, or on the go. The key is to make it easy on yourself!

The next item in my bag, salty snacks. I don't know about you, but I feel like I eat non-stop when I'm on a road trip. There's just something about being in the car (or a plane) for an extended period of time that makes me hungry. So, I figure, why not snack on things that will help me feel better too? While these primarily help me ward off dizzy spells (and keep me occupied when I'm feeling bored), they also help calm my tummy when I'm suffering from motion sickness. I'm going to share a few of my favorites, but there are lots of options. So, feel free to experiment with your own ideas here! I love olives, so I like to pack individual packets of green olives for on the go. One of my favorites, the little bags of Spanish Olives at Trader Joe's. They're full of salt and healthy fats, plus they're super yummy. If Trader Joe's isn't convenient for you places like Target and Kroger carry olive snack packs as well. I also like to take chips (don't judge me!), vegan jerky (my favorite is Louisville Vegan Jerky), salted nuts, and gluten free crackers. Seaweed snacks are also a fun and different way to get some sodium if you're up for something new.

Next up, fruit and nut bars. Sometimes when I'm feeling sluggish I realize I just need some natural sugars. Something as simple as a good ol' apple travels well and usually does the trick. If I'm in the mood for something a bit more exciting (as exciting as apples can be) I tend to grab something like a Larabar, Kind Bar, or homemade trail mix. They're all pretty healthy options, and if you're looking for no added sugars Larabars and homemade trail mix are great options. Many Larabar varieties are sweetened with dates and you can use cacao nibs and raisins or no sugar added dried cranberries to your trail mix in place of higher sugar options if making at home. As an added bonus, any of these choices will provide extra support to help keep your stomach functioning properly which can sometimes be tricky when traveling.

Finally, I never travel without my essential oils. I have experimented a lot with these and there are a few that are particularly good for the autonomic nervous system (ANS). I generally carry a roll-on made up of oils that support the ANS (rosemary and sweet orange are two of my favorites) and apply it to my pulse points every morning, mid-day, and evening to help my body function as optimally as possible while on the go. I also pack a bottle of lavender to help with sleep issues. Dysautonomia can often cause insomnia (and excessive sleeping) and depending on the type of holiday I'm taking this can be pretty problematic. So, if I'm having sleep issues I simply put some lavender on my pillow case and bottoms of my feet. The scent is calming and since lavender is known for balancing anything that's out of whack it helps calm the ANS when I'm in overdrive, making it easier for me to rest. Peppermint is another travel must, especially if you get motion sickness. You can mix some with water and spray it in your car, apply it to the temples and wrists, or simply breath it in for relief.

Finally, I never go anywhere without smooth move tea or milk of magnesia. They are a travel must have. My doctor has told me that both are safe ways to relieve constipation (a common problem with EDS, dysautonomia, and gastroparesis). I usually alternate the two becaus,e in my experience, using one too often can make it less effective. Research has shown that it's important to have a bowel movement at least every two days in order to keep the lower intestine functioning properly. Besides this, I want to feel energized on vacation and constipation can cause me to feel sluggish and not my usual vibrant self. So, these two products help me to keep things moving along so I can enjoy my holiday.

Second, I make sure to take items that will help make me comfortable. No matter the outside temperature I always dress in layers, take a jacket/coat, socks if I'm not already wearing them, and a scarf or pashmina. This allows me to add or remove layers based on how my body is feeling at any given moment. Since the ANS controls body temperature those of us with dysautonomia can swing from hot to cold in the bat of an eye. This can be especially troublesome if overheating induces syncope (as it does for me). On the contrary, if I'm too cold I tend to tense up which deepens the musculoskeletal pain I often experience with EDS. So, making sure I can strip down or bundle up at a moments notice is super important.

If I'm traveling by car, I always take a pillow. I use it to nap, prop my feet up (like I always say "feet up to keep the BP up!"), sit on, place behind my back, and just make myself more comfortable overall. It's totally fine to take a pillow on a plane too. I personally don't like the extra bulkiness of having to carry one though, so I just use my extra layers for cushioning instead.

Since pulling on heavy luggage is no good for a person with EDS, I've learned the art of packing light. Sometimes that's difficult with all the things I need in order to stay healthy on the road, so organization is key. In order to help with that I recently bought a hard case carry on suitcase that's expandable and rolls in all directions. It's one of the best purchases I've made in a while. I got it at TJ Maxx, so it was fairly inexpensive, it's expandable, lightweight, and has several compartments for all my necessities. I've already taken several trips with it and it has made my life so much easier. Even on longer trips I can take this plus a small over the shoulder bag and I'm set. When it's time to go I stack 'em and roll away. Easy breezy. If you have EDS, just don't forget to engage those muscles before rolling. You don't want a subluxed or dislocated shoulder or rib on your trip!

Finally, books, podcasts, and my favorite tunes are a must. Being a spoonie means I don't always have the energy for talking or interacting with others. When I'm stuck in a car or on a plane with other people one really nice way to zone out and give myself some rest is to get lost in some form of media. Sometimes, just turning on soothing music creates a space where I can close my eyes and tune everyone else out. If I'm not driving I can pop my earbuds in and it's a signal to others that I need aloe time. If I'm lucky, I may even doze off for a few minutes. Then, when I'm ready to re-engage with the world I can take my earbuds out and emerge with a fresh face. Taking some time to practice self-care, even on the road, means I can put my best self forward when I do engage with those around me. It's a true win-win.

I hope these tips help to make your next travel session top notch. Now that I've shared my list with you, I'd love to hear some of the ways you make your travel time more enjoyable too. Please feel free to leave a tip or two in the comments below and let me know if any of my ideas resonate with you. Together, we can make this travel season the best yet!