Is there anything better than a vacation? Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a week-long tropical holiday, there’s one major downside – the toll it takes on your body. Travel is exhausting for anyone and when you couple that with the exposure to new germs/allergens, major changes to your daily routine, and the lavish eating/drinking that comes with the territory, vacation can quickly become an ordeal for someone suffering from an autoimmune disease or chronic pain/fatigue.

As a 20-something who is suffering from something no one can see, there was a period of time where I avoided travel. I feared travelling with friends because I was scared of being a “bummer” if I did not feel well, or worse, being in a situation where I needed assistance without someone who was well-versed in how to help me. The stigma of invisible illness is something that bleeds into every aspect of your life, even things that can aid in your healing process, like taking a trip. It’s important to recognize when you’re letting the fear of your disease limit you versus the actual symptoms you have no choice but to endure.

The approach to dismantling this fear is two-fold: informing your travelling partners and doing everything you can ahead of time to prepare your body for the changes. Communicating with your loved ones and speaking up when something is difficult for your condition is always going to be a necessary evil. In addition, I am still learning about my triggers and treatments that work. However, I have compiled a list of a few of the things that prime my body for a trip. A lot of these are specific to my needs, but can help others and even those without invisible illness who want to insure their ability to enjoy their vacation. In later posts, I will be giving tips for air travel, hotel stays and other aspects of travel, but wanted to start with the prep work that can begin in the weeks leading up to a trip.

Do not stray from your regularly scheduled treatments

This can be tough – in the weeks leading up to your trip you have so many additional things to do and often stay late at work to make sure things are wrapped up. In the past, I had been guilty of skipping my weekly therapies, like the chiropractor and acupuncturist, in the days leading up to my departure. I have since learned that this only makes for an uncomfortable trip, as I am both not getting these treatments on vacation and am putting additional stress on my body by being in an unfamiliar environment.

Give your skin extra attention

Regardless if your trip means sun, sand, water, snow, or ice, your skin is going to be on the front-line of exposure to the elements. You’re also sleeping on sheets and using towels washed with unfamiliar detergent, showering in water that could be harsher on your epidermis, and participating in a host of activities that are not a part of your normal routine. In the weeks leading up to a trip, I try to exfoliate once a week and lotion every single day. Despite having eczema, I am the WORST about putting lotion on because I hate the feeling on my skin. If you’re the same way, look into in-shower lotions or “body conditioners” that can make life a little easier.

Take your vitamins (especially C!)

There are so many differing opinions on vitamins depending on your condition, but I try to make sure that I take the essentials (C, D, Magnesium) in the weeks before a trip. Vitamin C is key because while everyone knows it can help prevent colds and viruses, many are unaware that it is useless once you already feel under the weather. Taking Vitamin C for 2 weeks before your trip will help to prevent you from catching a dreaded airline cold or from catching something in the unfamiliar environment.

Start to time-shift (if changing time zones)

In the days leading up to a trip with a significant time change, I try to start shifting into the other time zone subtly. For me, going to bed and waking up a little earlier is a small price to pay for cutting down on the fatigue and migraine-inducing jet lag. This also helps you to take full advantage of the time you have on the trip by minimizing the time you’ll spend too tired to enjoy yourself.

Give your gut a boost

I take a daily probiotic and notice the boost to my overall health that this provides. More and more, doctors are recognizing the research which shows that gut health dictates overall well-being. If you are not already taking a probiotic consider starting a few weeks before your trip (or investing in a stronger one), as this will boost your immunity and prepare your stomach for the change in water/food.

Hydrate

True life: the only thing I hate more than the aforementioned lotion application is imbibing H2O. I have an almost childlike abhorrence of the stuff and do not drink enough of it on a daily basis. I am working on improving this in general, but I do typically up the water intake before travel. Long travel days can leave you dehydrated as you arrive at what I hope is an all-inclusive resort, where the activities, weather, and libations will only send you further down the dried-out well. Dehydration leads to a host of other issues, so try to have your cells in homeostasis when you embark on your journey.

Go to the dentist if you’re overdue or need to soon

May seem random, but there is nothing worse than a toothache on vacation. If you’re overdue for a cleaning or need one soon, try to go before you leave for vacation. First-aid and urgent care are pretty universal in the case of physical injury or illness, but I would never want to go to anyone other than my usual dentist when I am in pain. If you’ve ever had dental pain, it is nearly impossible to manage with over-the-counter help and is pretty hard to ignore when you are trying to enjoy yourself.

Treat yourself to additional relaxation

Of course with all of the prep work I have already dispensed you cannot imagine fitting anything else in, but if it’s possible, find a spare few minutes for you. For me, this often means getting a blowout before a weekend away to guarantee great hair and less fatigue by saving me the effort of taming my frizzy mane each day. For longer or tropical vacations, this means getting a mani-pedi to help me feel confident to rock my sandals. Whatever it is, take a few minutes just for you!

Wherever you’re going next, I wish you a happy and healthy trip!