
The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone, particularly for those living with UTI. When experiencing recurrent or chronic UTI, the holidays can bring significant symptoms that can make it hard. From the way that usual holiday stress can increase painful symptoms to the issues that traveling brings, or even flare-ups caused by certain foods and drinks–it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all the possible contingencies that the holiday season may create.
Stress
Although the holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, even for those without UTI, the season can bring notable stress. Events associated with gift-giving, conflicts, and awkward interactions with family can naturally cause anxiety for anyone. When living with a UTI these stressors can easily multiply, creating not only emotional but physical distress.
Stress is a possible cause for what people living with UTI know as “flare-ups,” i.e. sudden increases in UTI symptoms. However, stress differs for everyone, and stress with UTI can be caused by nearly anything. Triggers for flare-ups are anticipation for the upcoming gathering, certain foods, or even a particularly annoying interaction with a relative. Stress management can be a helpful way to lessen symptoms of your condition. While the holidays can represent an uptick in stressful events for many, it is all the more important to listen to your body and take care of your UTI symptoms.
Traveling
For many people, the holidays are synonymous with traveling. Although traveling isn’t fun for most people, living with UTI and traveling can quickly turn into a harrowing experience. Frequent modes of transportation, such as car rides or airplanes, may limit a person’s ability to access a restroom when needed.

Our tips for airplane travel are as follows:
Only travel in the aisle seat
If you're not in the aisle seat and have to get up to go to the bathroom 5 times in a 90-minute flight, then by all means, go! The person next to you can get some exercise.
Medicate for pain ahead of time
Travel while wearing period underwear to prevent leaks
Allow yourself some grace for this often necessary but sometimes symptom-inducing event. Planning ahead by doing things like locating restrooms and incorporating frequent breaks to urinate can help. As UTI triggers and symptoms have no universal cure-all, knowing your body and environment and utilizing what works for you can be a useful tool in coping with pain.
Food and Drink
What are the holidays without a variety of rich foods shared with loved ones? However, for those living with UTI, this simple act of love and cheer can become consequential. As food and drink can be a common trigger for flare-ups or worsened UTI symptoms, the holidays can be a complicated time. Knowing your food and drink triggers–whether it be alcohol, caffeine, or heavily spiced foods–is important to navigate through the holidays as someone with a UTI. Keep in mind foods that have caused flare-ups in the past and try to avoid them. If you are unsure if you have food or drink triggers or what they specifically may be, keeping a journal of when flare-ups happen and the conditions preceding them may be helpful. Setting boundaries with others and yourself about what you do and don’t feel comfortable eating or drinking is key.

Coping and Living
It can’t be stressed enough the importance of listening to your body when living with UTI. Respecting your body’s signals for rest becomes crucial during eventful and possibly stressful times like the holidays. UTI is a highly variable condition and doesn’t have a single method of pain relief that works for everyone. Knowing what works and doesn’t work for you is one of the best ways to take care of yourself when living with a UTI.
That being said, we have suggestions for possible methods to help reduce pain and symptoms from UTI during the holidays. Some tactics that can be helpful are using a heating pad to increase blood flow and minimize pain. Another idea is allowing yourself to anticipate pain and prepare by medicating ahead of time.
Still, one of the most helpful ways to cope during the holidays is by planning for rest. It can be tempting to say yes to everything during these times–whether it be food, drink, or holiday plans–but you deserve to listen to your body’s needs. For some, this can look like not overcommitting and being realistic about what you are and aren’t able to do. Remember the virtue that taking a slow approach may bring. By being realistic about your limits and heeding your body’s needs, you will likely be able to enjoy yourself more than you would have otherwise.
Ultimately, while the holidays can feel like an isolating time to have a chronic illness, know that you are not alone. With UTI being the most commonly diagnosed outpatient infection, millions of other individuals are having a similar experience during this time. Above all else, be patient and kind with yourself, and have a fun and lovely holiday!