If you’re needing to travel somewhere but are still nursing an injury that you’ve sustained, getting to your final destination can be a bit of a headache. And since traveling, in general, can be stressful for many people already, adding on the burden of having to do it when you’re not feeling your best can seem nearly impossible. But luckily, there are some things that can be done to help make this time a little more bearable.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for making air travel easier when you’re injured.
Give Yourself Enough Time
When traveling by plane, you’re going to want to get to the airport and to your gate well in advance anyway. But when you’re moving a bit slower than normal, you’ll want to make sure that you build in some more time than you might ordinarily need.
Especially for the kinds of injuries that limit your mobility in getting around the airport, you’ll want to at least double the time it takes you to get from one place to the next. And if you’re having to transfer into a wheelchair or other medical devices, this can add even more time. So while you might be someone who doesn’t like to wait at their gate for too long, you’ll be much more relaxed doing this than having to try to rush to get to where you need to be when you’re in pain.
Call Ahead For Assistance
One of the benefits of air travel, while you’re injured, is that there are people at the airport who can and will help you. But to make sure you’re going to get the assistance that you need, it’s wise to call ahead and see what’s available to you.
In getting to the airport, taking a private airport shuttle might be the best option to avoid having to park. And when you get to the airport, having someone who can push you in a wheelchair or take care of your bags for you can be very convenient.
Choose The Right Outfit
For many people with injuries, traveling by plane can be a bit uncomfortable. So to reduce this for yourself, you’ll want to make sure that you choose the right clothes to wear to the airport.
If you’re worried about the temperature, try to dress in a few layers. Keep in mind, however, that you might need to be patted down at security depending on what medical devices you’re using. And for those who are using crutches, make sure you choose shoes that will give you a lot of traction on the foot that’s supporting you.
If you’re going to be traveling on an airplane but you’re currently recovering from an injury, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you make this experience a bit easier for you.
