How to travel with Fibromyalgia
It’s the start of summer, the weather is stupendous, so now is the time to book that trip you were thinking about! In the 6 years that I have been coping with fibromyalgia, travelling has been quite anxiety inducing. Will I have the energy to keep up? Getting through airports and being away from my daily routine was a scary thought, but I’ve always loved seeing new places and I always felt that the sun helped my fibro. Since I adopted the following steps, travelling has become a much easier prospect. If travelling is an option, then keep reading below to see my top tips for going on holiday without disrupting your health.
1.Write a list before packing so you don’t forget essential things
By writing a list before packing you can make the task seem much clearer. This will prevent leaving out essentials for your trip. I usually write my list by breaking it down into categories e.g. essentials, medications, toiletries etc. Use small bags to keep your items together so your suitcase is more organised and it is easier to find things.
2.Bring comfortable shoes
There is nothing worse than walking around in an uncomfortable pair of shoes when sightseeing, so make sure to invest in a pair of good quality shoes as well as packing waterproof and blister plasters. Years ago I was in Rhodes and wore flat sandals on the cobbles in the Old Town which resulted in a sprained ankle, not a good day!
3.Try to travel light and take advantage of any special assistance services
Don’t attempt to overpack your bag. The chances are you won’t end up using or wearing everything and will just end up hurting your back lugging this extra weight around. This is something I’ve done a lot and it’s really not worth it so try to prioritise comfort before thinking about stylish items. I try to pack easy outfits like a playsuit or one piece as it is a quick, no fuss outfit option! Investing in a good quality suitcase is also smart. I recently went away with a suitcase I hadn’t tested and it was a nightmare for my partner, who had to end up lugging it around for me….
Make sure to use any special assistance services available to you on airlines or whatever your chosen mode of transport. You can ask for special assistance when booking your flight and they will support you at the boarding gates, getting on/off the aircraft, travelling through the airport and assistance with bags.
4.Stay in a place with a lift or a ground floor room
When booking your accommodation, try and book a more accessible room. When using websites like Booking.com I go into filters under the sections “property/room accessibility” and choose from various options for your search. If you can find their number, give the accommodation a call before booking to discuss your needs or fill in your requests in the notes box when reserving.
5.Stay near the centre or where the sites are
This will limit the amount of travelling you will need to do on your trip. If going on a city trip it’s probably best to stay in the centre, or if it is a sun holiday stay close to the beach or the town. The accommodation may be a bit more expensive this way but it will be worth it as you won’t use up all your energy before getting to your destination.
6.Plan ahead to avoid financial stress
Holidays can cost a lot; additional activities and spending can add up quickly. This financial stress can be very straining on your health, especially when you are meant to be enjoying yourself! If you plan to go sightseeing or visit some museums or galleries, make sure to book these ahead of time online. That way you can save on entry costs, avoid queues at ticket offices and the money you have can go towards other elements of the holiday. For example, you can book to see the Colosseum online and grab a ticket that allows you to skip the whole queue, you will thank yourself when you get there!
7.If travelling with friends, remind them of your limitations
Sometimes fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue can be invisible to the eye and therefore, friends and family can often forget about your condition. Remind your friends that you might not be able to take part in everything, but that you are happy to do something different during that time. There is nothing wrong with saying no to a hike or steps up a dome and spending more time relaxing by the pool or having a rest day!
8.Look for gluten free restaurants
If you are anything like me, your diet will have a big impact on your condition. I recently took a trip to Italy and although it was beautiful, I returned with a sore stomach, low energy and bad flare ups due to the carb-heavy and sugary diet.
Before going to your destination, do some research of their restaurants and cafes. A lot of gluten free restaurants will also be more conscious of other allergens and have more options for a less inflammatory meal. Try to have some lighter meals as you will have more energy throughout the day.
9.Bring a nice bottle so you can always fill up on water and grab healthy snacks
Grab yourself a nice bottle to fill up on water and stay hydrated, especially in the sun. I bought a nice Chilly's bottle that has lots of pretty designs and keeps the water cold. Load up on healthy treats such as nuts and fruit as this will keep you going between meals and give you some energy.
10.Don’t over pack your days - remember it’s a holiday
Try to be realistic when planning out your days and take into account rests between activities. I can’t count the amount of times I pushed myself too much and ended up being disappointed that I couldn’t see everything due to my condition. Remember that as well as enjoying yourself, you should also give yourself a break and relax! Allow yourself a lie in here and there and leave space in your schedule for aimless wandering, as this is when you find hidden gems!
11.Use apps like citymapper to find step free/ more accessible travelling
Google Maps and Citymapper are great for showing you more accessible routes for getting to your destination such as giving you step-free, less walking or wheelchair accessible options. Take advantage of this to have a smoother journey.
12.Do some light stretching, especially on your legs
Your body, especially your legs, will probably get quite stiff from all your site seeing so make sure to do some easy stretches to alleviate this throughout the day and in the morning before you set off. Shoulder rolls, hamstring stretches and hip stretches are great after a long day and can easily be done using a chair if needed.
13.Watch out for mosquitos
I went to Spain last year for a mindfulness retreat that had a beautiful garden with tons of plants; it was a haven for mosquitos and I got absolutely devoured the first day. The bites were very irritating and really interfered in what was meant to be a relaxing week! These pesky insects come out when the sun goes down and their nasty bites are really annoying, especially if you have a weakened immune system. Stock up on bug spray and change into longer clothes to try to avoid bites. I usually bring a pack of antihistamines as this can make the bite less itchy and inflamed.
14.Allow yourself a day or two before returning to work
If you have a job, try to give yourself a day or two before returning back to work. You will need a rest after the holiday and a chance to get settled again. This will also ease any anxiety towards the end of the holiday about work!
Wherever you end up, if it's abroad or a staycation, following the steps above should help you get the most out of your holiday without your fibro completely interfering. It can be a constant struggle and everyone going through it deserves to have a break now and then.
I hope that my holiday playbook is helpful to some of you out there; time away from normal routine and experiencing something new can do wonders for both your mental and physical health.
Happy travelling!