Expert urges festivalgoers with chronic condition to 'be honest about needs'
According to recent research, the average festivalgoer walks more than 11,000 steps and watches seven bands per day, but gets only five hours of sleep each night. A typical day also involves taking 20 photos, making three to four trips to food and drink stalls, and losing track of friends-usually a group of three-at least twice a day.
Whilst some of the top moments include, the "electric atmosphere," and the chance to escape daily routines as top festival highlights, downsides can be lack of opportunities to rest or sit down, large crowds, and long queues. This can be especially stressful for those living with chronic conditions.
According to the research, commissioned by healthcare company Abbott, a staggering 88 per cent of those with a chronic illness have experienced stress at a festival because of their condition. It comes after an exciting heatwave forecast with maps revealing the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK.
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Frustrations can include lack of places to sit and rest, worries about staying hydrated, and the constant mental load of managing their health.
As such one in five festival fans surveyed said they want more support for their health and wellbeing at events, with calls for dedicated help for specific medical conditions.
Vanessa Haydock, a diabetic health coach and Abbott ambassador who lives with Type 1 diabetes, knows first-hand how tough festivals can be. "Festivals can be a perfect time to let your hair down and get away from your daily routine, but it's important to look out for yourself and for each other", she says.
"Make sure you and your friends speak in advance about what to do in certain situations – such as getting lost, overwhelmed, or dehydrated. Being open about your needs helps everyone feel more confident and connected. And don't be afraid to prioritise your health – managing any condition in public is nothing to be embarrassed about."
Vanessa always comes prepared, packing backup snacks, medical supplies, and her continuous glucose monitor. She even shares her glucose levels with friends using an app, so they can support her if needed.
Consultant nurse and festival medical services lead Lesley Mills agrees that preparation is key. 'When living with Type 2 Diabetes, there's much to think about when attending festivals – but it should not stop you from having the best time.
'There are many things you can do so that you don't have to give up something you love, just because you're living with a chronic condition – preparation is key.'
The study revealed that 65 per cent of individuals with chronic illnesses have had to leave a festival early at least once due to health worries.
The challenges have become so overwhelming for some that 16 per cent now attend fewer festivals than before their diagnosis, and nearly one in ten have stopped attending altogether.
To help, Lesley and Vanessa have shared their top tips on how to enjoy a festival while looking after yourself at the same time.
LESLEY & VANESSA'S TOP TIPS:
1. Don't be afraid to prioritise your health – managing any condition in public is nothing to be embarrassed about.
2. Be confident in checking your glucose levels or taking medication when needed and remember your health comes first.
3. Plan ahead by contacting festival organisers in advance to explain your condition and request permission to bring in essential snacks, drinks, and medication – you can get a letter from your healthcare professional or diabetes team to help smooth this process.
4. Stay hydrated, avoid long gaps between meals, and listen to your body – festivals can be exhausting, but they're a marathon, not a sprint and it's not shameful to rest whenever you need to.
5. We often see people walking up to 30,000 steps – so, build up your activity levels beforehand and pace yourself once you're there.
6. Certain technology can really help you to manage your condition in a busy, unpredictable environment – for example, if you have diabetes, some devices allow you to monitor your glucose levels quickly and discreetly, with real-time data and alerts for highs and lows.
7. Last but not least, let your friends know how to help you in any of these situations – they want to help you, they just need to know how.
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