The winter holidays are finally upon us, meaning the time for joy and relaxation is here. The end of the year is perfect for visiting with family you haven’t seen in a while, but that means this season is jam-packed with travel and extended activities.
While that’s not too big of an issue for most people, those with incontinence might have some unforeseen difficulties. Fortunately, these issues are very manageable with proper care and planning. If you’re unsure where to start, our guide on managing urinary incontinence over the holidays can help.
Plan Your Entire Trip Out
The most challenging part of your holiday plans will likely be the trip to and from your destination. Whether you go by car or plane, you’ll need to plan out when to make restroom stops. Knowing how often your incontinence briefs need to be changed will help make these stops easier, but you should always be ready for anything.
If you plan to drive, plan out a car route that doesn’t go through long stretches of desolate areas. For plane trips, ensure you arrive at the airport early enough to take an extra break before boarding. Thinking about these things in advance will help make the trip much easier.
Keep Track of Your Eating and Drinking
Whether you’re still traveling or at your destination, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the foods and drinks you consume while you’re away from home. Items that are citrusy, spicy, or caffeine-heavy could affect your bladder, making you need to use the restroom more often than normal.
However, one thing you must not do is avoid consuming any liquids during your trip. Many people do this as a way not to have to urinate as often. Unfortunately, dehydration can worsen incontinence symptoms or cause a urinary infection.
Don’t Agree to Everything
While away for the holidays, one important thing to remember is that you don’t have to say yes to everything. While visiting your family, they might ask you if you want to do certain activities that might upset your bladder.
Your family should understand when you say “no,” even if they aren’t aware of your condition. Always consider whether a proposed activity would cause you more discomfort.
Find Ways To Reduce Your Stress
While many find this season calming, one thing you must do to manage your urinary incontinence during the holidays involves finding ways to reduce your stress. Anxiety can put additional pressure on your bladder, adding an additional layer of complexity to your trip.
Don’t be afraid to remove yourself from the crowd if needed. Sometimes a minute or two to yourself can make a huge difference in your symptoms. Of course, any method that helps you manage your stress during this time can also work.
The winter holidays are finally upon us, meaning the time for joy and relaxation is here. The end of the year is perfect for visiting with family you haven’t seen in a while, but that means this season is jam-packed with travel and extended activities.
While that’s not too big of an issue for most people, those with incontinence might have some unforeseen difficulties. Fortunately, these issues are very manageable with proper care and planning. If you’re unsure where to start, our guide on managing urinary incontinence over the holidays can help.
Plan Your Entire Trip Out
The most challenging part of your holiday plans will likely be the trip to and from your destination. Whether you go by car or plane, you’ll need to plan out when to make restroom stops. Knowing how often your incontinence briefs need to be changed will help make these stops easier, but you should always be ready for anything.
If you plan to drive, plan out a car route that doesn’t go through long stretches of desolate areas. For plane trips, ensure you arrive at the airport early enough to take an extra break before boarding. Thinking about these things in advance will help make the trip much easier.
Keep Track of Your Eating and Drinking
Whether you’re still traveling or at your destination, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the foods and drinks you consume while you’re away from home. Items that are citrusy, spicy, or caffeine-heavy could affect your bladder, making you need to use the restroom more often than normal.
However, one thing you must not do is avoid consuming any liquids during your trip. Many people do this as a way not to have to urinate as often. Unfortunately, dehydration can worsen incontinence symptoms or cause a urinary infection.
Don’t Agree to Everything
While away for the holidays, one important thing to remember is that you don’t have to say yes to everything. While visiting your family, they might ask you if you want to do certain activities that might upset your bladder.
Your family should understand when you say “no,” even if they aren’t aware of your condition. Always consider whether a proposed activity would cause you more discomfort.
Find Ways To Reduce Your Stress
While many find this season calming, one thing you must do to manage your urinary incontinence during the holidays involves finding ways to reduce your stress. Anxiety can put additional pressure on your bladder, adding an additional layer of complexity to your trip.
Don’t be afraid to remove yourself from the crowd if needed. Sometimes a minute or two to yourself can make a huge difference in your symptoms. Of course, any method that helps you manage your stress during this time can also work.
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