For me, I have always been more of an adventurer than a vacationer, this is true in all aspects of my life. While slowing down is something I am learning to do, travel is still one place where I want to explore, experience, and make the most of all my adventures.
Several years ago, I finally got some answers to health issues I was experiencing. Testing showed markers associated with lupus, but getting clear answers and consistent specialist care was difficult. I did not know what that meant for my daily life, or my dream of seeing the world. However, I knew I had to find a way to adapt for both my career, and travel.
Lupus and other autoimmune conditions can look different for everyone. For me, the biggest challenges are extreme fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog. While this doesn’t stop me from traveling, it has changed how I prepare, how I plan my days, and how I respond when my body forces me to change plans I had.
In planning my trips now, I do my best to plan rest, without missing the adventure, into my itinerary. If I am flying, I make sure all my medications are with me, compression socks and electrolytes readily available, and I get a full nights rest before flights. When booking hotels, not only am I looking for safe neighborhoods, I look for accommodations near easy transportation, or extremely walkable locations. I plan early for the weather now, as various weather harshens my symptoms, and I schedule in rest and no activities before 9 AM if I can help it.
The extra preparation helps me actually enjoy the adventure. Starting a trip well rested gives me a better chance of not getting a flare up, and having more energy for the experiences. I still love a full itinerary, but getting better at the balance. A perfect example would be when I traveled to Japan, day 1 and 2 started at Tokyo Disney, after a week in South Korea I was exhausted. My friend and I then went from Tokyo to Hakone where we stayed at the beautiful The Fujiya Hotel. This hotel provided us with two nights of onsen use, booked two nights of spa treatments, and had a beautiful gym. I was able to incorporate rest into an adventure and new experiences. Sometimes the scheduled rest becomes one of the greatest adventures.
I think for those scared to travel with autoimmune diseases, it’s an important reminder to listen to your body. If you’ve been able to determine your warning signs for a flare, listen to your body. It’s okay to sleep in, cancel an excursion, take an Uber instead of walking. Just because you may have to adapt does not mean that you have wasted a trip or an experience.
Sometimes slowing down in your adventures can also bring you connections you won’t forget. Some of the most memorable connections I have made are when I have decided to slow down, pop into a quiet wine bar, or sit outside dining for longer than planned. These moments of slowing down have created friendships and connections around the world, conversations to remember, and connections that have made me grow as a person.
I am still an adventurer, I just travel with more preparation, and I am more willing to listen to my body now. For those of you that may have a chronic illness that has been fearful of travel I encourage you to do so, it may not look like everyone else’s adventure. Maybe the first step is traveling with someone who understands, a slower itinerary, or a short weekend getaway.
If a health condition has made you nervous to travel, what concerns are holding you back? I’d love to hear them, and continue to share ways I’ve navigated it!
The Fujiya Hotel | Hakone, Japan
Leave a comment