Planning to Get the Best out of Your Holiday with Chronic Illness

Holidays are essential for mental and physical health, reducing stress, increasing life satisfaction, and improving bonds with friends and family. This is true for anyone, but especially for those who live with a chronic illness.

Diagnosed with asthma and multiple sclerosis (MS), Robert shares how he plans holidays abroad without compromising his health.

I have been medically retired since 2017 when I made the difficult decision to stop doing traditional work. My mobility issues and chronic pain forced me to make this choice, as neither gave any indication of easing up or getting better.

However, I like to keep busy, so I found some "work" acting as a patient advocate. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have sought my advice and support, so I've had many opportunities to share my patient experience.

This takes effort, though I only do 10 hours of activity a week.  As many of us know, tiredness can accumulate over time, so I decided to have a holiday abroad this year. 

What I need to consider when booking a holiday abroad with chronic illness

Planning is vital in the weeks leading up to a holiday, especially with one chronic illness or several.  I live with multiple sclerosis and asthma, so here's what I need to consider before booking a holiday abroad.

1. How will the weather affect my MS and asthma symptoms?

Environmental factors may trigger asthma attacks. For example, some people are very sensitive to weather changes or air pollution.   

So, when booking a holiday that will accommodate my illnesses, I know that dampness worsens my asthma and allergy symptoms. As a result, I decide on holidays in warm, dry places like the Mediterranean.

The sunnier climes suit me well; the dry heat solves most of my respiratory issues. In fact, I can often stop taking my asthma medication while on holiday (once I've checked this with my doctor). I can finally breathe normally, and that persistent asthma cough disappears. It's like feeling normal again.

So, before searching for your dream holiday online, I recommend planning with your conditions in mind. Research the weather during your chosen month and select a destination with a climate that suits you.

For some people, the heat and dry air on holiday can make asthma and COPD worse, whereas, for others, it may be cold air and rain. Chronic conditions rarely have "one size fits all" symptoms, so plan your holiday around your triggers for asthma, MS, or anything else.

2. Does my accommodation have access facilities?

Accommodation on holiday must work with my asthma and, even more importantly, my MS mobility issues.

Dust is one of my asthma triggers, so I choose accommodation with at least 4* reviews. Before booking anywhere, I trawl through hotel review sites, ensuring cleanliness is cited as a positive. It seems like a lot of effort, but taking the time will ensure I have the best trip possible.

Because of my MS-related mobility issues, I also need to check for details like "little to no thresholds in doorways" (a small step that signifies entry to a different room). I ring the hotel or check online that the accommodation has lifts big enough for my mobility scooter. I also request wet-room showers or a shower with a handrail.

Naturally, checking every box on the "accommodation list" can be challenging, but I suggest you stick with it. Holidays aren't meant to be painful or stressful!

3. Can I adjust my environment quickly to suit my comfort level?

I also ensure the apartment or hotel room is comfortable enough to stay indoors for a few days. My MS symptoms can sometimes worsen on holiday due to fatigue or declining mobility. If that happens, I want to be in a safe, relaxing space. Essentially, it needs to be a home away from home; somewhere I can practice self-care when MS triggers a mental or physical slump.

For this reason, a balcony can be a great asset. It allows me to go outside without tackling lifts, stairs or many doorways, and I can enjoy the dry climate. Air quality can fluctuate throughout the day, which worsens my asthma. If I can sit on and off a balcony as I please, that's a practical little luxury.

Another luxury of being on holiday is eating out. I prefer eating outside whenever possible, and the restaurants must handle a mobility scooter. This can be a dual challenge, but it swiftly moves up the list of desirable locations if I find a place to deal with both.

Alongside MS and asthma, I also deal with persistent post-traumatic headaches, which can make me intolerant of loud noise and echo.

Inside a restaurant, the noise levels can make things difficult for me, whereas outside dining doesn't have this issue. Who doesn't enjoy having an evening meal with your feet on the sand and gentle waves breaking a few metres away?

4. Will this holiday let me balance routine and new experiences?

Spending time within different walls, seeing blue skies overhead, and having a small break improves my mental health. I need this respite, and doing something different brings me out of a rut. Even shopping at a new supermarket or trying exotic foods can lift my mood.

Saying that, there are elements of my daily routine that don't change. I meditate every day, taking 10-15 minutes to focus on my breathing and shed negativity. Mindfulness helps me with some of the emotional complications of asthma and MS, so it’s very important to me.

I also practice journaling most days, especially if something cropped up during my mindfulness routine. 

Keeping up with my morning system sets up a structure for the rest of the day. I make a point of going on a morning walk and a more extended scooter "walk" in the evening. Our holidays are usually in Malaga, Spain, so I use the promenade near the beautifully gentle sea.

The locals view the promenade as their community hub. I see babies and elderly, able-bodied people running and disabled people with wheelchairs and sticks. That's three generations walking and engaged in animated conversation. Seeing this level of unity gives me so much hope.

5. How will I cope if things go wrong on holiday?  

There will inevitably be hurdles with any trip, chronic illness or not. It could be poor PRM (People with Reduced Mobility) services in an airport, a bad meal in a restaurant, or a grossly overpriced holiday activity. However, you must keep these incidents from spoiling your entire holiday.

Everyone wants the perfect time away, but that's not always possible. If things don't go to plan, take a mental step back and view the situation in the context it deserves. Does this salesperson/staff member/unpleasant experience have to ruin your entire trip? Will it matter tomorrow, next week, or in a month? Is it worth starting an argument?

90% of the time, I find it best to leave the unpleasantness with the person or situation that caused it. I gather my things and walk away.

You are not the cause of somebody's problem or whatever monkey they have on their back. You are not why they decide to make life unpleasant for others. Keep your dignity in these situations and leave them to stew in their own juice.

Now, this isn't always easy for every personality type. We're taught to stand up for ourselves - as we should - but we also need to pick our battles. Over time, I've learned to compartmentalise, which helps me put adverse events aside. Locking away anger and dissatisfaction helps my asthma, as one of my triggers is emotional stress. I'm no doormat - but I'd rather not trigger an attack if I can avoid it.

The takeaway

Time away from home is essential, even if you don't work. Holidays are rejuvenating - for my mental and physical health. They've given me plenty of positive memories, and, most importantly, they provide something to look forward to and break the rut.

In some respects, they are even more vital when you have a chronic illness, as isolation, negativity, and cabin fever can get very real.

I view trips and holidays as soft reboots. Once I've returned home, I'm revitalised and eager to work on something new.

If I can tidy up my mental clutter with some heat, a scattering of blue skies, and the meditative sound of waves, who's to say a holiday "isn't needed"?

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© 2023 Life Effects by Teva Pharmaceuticals

The individual(s) who have written and created the content in and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen​. 

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Date of preparation: August 2023
D: COB-GB-NP-00140 (V1.0) / T: COB-GB-NP-00166 (V1.0) / M: COB-GB-NP-00165 (V1.0)