Packing Light
by Lisa Milbrand
Hauling heavy luggage is hard on painful joints. The next time you travel, follow these tips for packing light:
Find the right bag. Choose luggage that's sturdy yet lightweight. Think space-age materials like polycarbonate.
Do your research. Call your hotel to see what you can leave at home. Most hotels stock hair dryers, irons and basic toiletries in rooms, and if laundry or dry-cleaning service is onsite, you'll be able to wash clothes, which means fewer items to pack.
Color coordinate. Pack clothes that mix and match, so you can create several outfits from just a few pieces. "If you organize your wardrobe around three colors that work well together, you can use the same set of accessories with all your outfits," says travel author Laurel Cardone. "You'll need fewer pairs of shoes, and a single cardigan or blazer can go with the entire wardrobe."
Wear your heaviest clothes. If you plan to bring a coat, a weighty pair of shoes or other heavy clothes such as jeans, don them for your flight to lighten your luggage. Plus, the layers go on and come off to help adjust to fluctuating temperatures as you travel through different climates.
Downsize where you can. Save make-up and skincare samples that come with cosmetic purchases for when you travel. Or transfer products you use at home into small, plastic bottles, so you take only as much as you need for your trip.
(Arthritis Today, March-April 2006)
