An influencer has shared how she prepares herself for flights as a plus-size traveller and POTS warrior.

Hanna Brandow has found travelling to be extremely stressful over the years due to her chronic illness and larger size, often experiencing an abnormal increase in her heart rate when sitting or standing due to the condition.

Finding the journey uncomfortable, she has come up with ways to make the ordeal more relaxing and manageable.

Sharing these tips on TikTok (@hannabran0116 ), she has gained over 26,100 followers and 292,100 views from people eager to hear her tips and tricks.

“Traveling in general can be a stressful experience for everyone, but being plus size and chronically ill makes it even harder!” the 28-year-old, from Baltimore, Maryland, told http://NeedToKnow.co.uk .

“I travel a lot by plane because I don't have a car.

“When I travel I can’t lift my suitcase up and down stairs, so instead of taking the subway to the airport, I have to pay for an Uber.

“Once I’m at the airport, I ask to board first because I can’t lift my suitcase over my head ... and I need help.

“I also can’t risk getting COVID because I have a heart condition, so I wear a mask and nobody else around me is.

"It feels unsafe and I’m stressed out the whole time!

“People also judge me for asking for a seatbelt extender, when I’m just trying to have a safe flight and follow the seatbelt rules.”

In the clip, shared to TikTok, Hanna films the process of her travelling, from arriving at the airport to sitting down on the plane, sharing her tips along the way.

First, she advises followers on travelling to the airport, leaving plenty of time, rolling down the windows in the Uber and bringing along her portable air purifier to ensure she is breathing in clean air.

Next, she puts her feet up on her suitcase while waiting for her flight, and wears compression socks to help prevent her ankles from swelling.

While waiting for the plane, she keeps her feet elevated on her suitcase and wears compression socks to help prevent her ankles from swelling.

To help keep her hydrated and fed she carries a small bag of snacks and electrolytes.

During the journey, she wears a double mask, helping to prevent her from catching anything that could worsen her illness.

For comfort, she also brings a mini fan and always asks for a seatbelt extender.

The video has gained over 9,000 likes, as well as hundreds of comments from thankful followers.

Cassy said: “I would also recommend a fan that you could put on your neck so that you don’t have to hold it! GAME CHANGER!”

Patti commented: “I made sure to buy my own seat belt extender. Goes with me every flight.”

Taylor added: “This is really smart.”

Autumn wrote: “As a chronically ill fat babe this means everything.”

Lisa said: “Love this!”

Posting these tips online, she hopes to help other plus-size and chronically ill travellers.

Hanna said: “I get tired very easily, my heart is greatly affected so I have to be careful with lifting and bending.

“My blood volume is low so I get dizzy very quickly.

“I get severe migraines as well.

"This all makes for a hard day-to-day life, traveling is even harder.

“Some days I can walk, some days I use a cane or stay in bed.

“It’s up and down, but I don’t let my condition or my size stop me from travelling, though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think twice before booking trips.”

Hoping to make travelling easier for everyone, Hanna advocates for new plane seats.

She added: “We all know aeroplane seats have no leg room and no width to them, even for thin people.

“They just want to fit as many people on the aeroplane as possible and I understand that from a business perspective, but there are so many people who are uncomfortable in planes.

“People treat fat people like we are to blame or deserve to suffer or should just stay home.

“People are worthy of dignity and respect and equal treatment even if they are fat.

ENDS