I have gone to quilt retreats. When ever I go for long trips I try to make sure have pillows to support my arms during the travel. |This helps me a lot.
Then I take my pillow, don't sit for to long at a time. Make sure that my set up is such that I am not stretching my arms to far.
I try to go to bed early and get lots of sleep.
Our retreats are only 40 miles away and we have real beds to sleep in. I usually up my ampitpline (can't spell) at night so I sleep better.