Mindful traveling with chronic disease - how to not let the limitations stop you

Since the global coronavirus pandemic and the dramatic rise in stress and inflammation, including many mental and autoimmune diseases, we have seen that many people prefer to withdraw rather than go out into the world when they are feeling unwell. However, this often intensifies the effect of the illnesses. But how are you supposed to travel when some days you can't even get out of bed, let alone out of the house? How can you stay active all day when everything hurts and you lack energy? How do you stay mentally stable in challenging new situations?

Especially with illnesses such as ME/CFS, even the smallest stimuli can be extremely triggering and, of course, there should always be a medical check-up before embarking on a journey in extreme phases of illness. But in addition to medical therapy, there are also a few other measures that you can take to really get something out of the trip & not fall too heavily into the next big relapse:

• Avoid large groups & hotels with meal packages, rather cook/bring your own food in private apartments and stay in small groups (especially if your immune system is at risk)

• Book mindful establishments with health offers instead of conventional hotels, especially Ayurveda, yoga and meditation offers are very helpful here

• Inform your own therapist in advance and get help in emergencies via virtual therapy services

• When traveling by camper, avoid long journeys and rest a lot in between, generally plan many day breaks, do not book overcrowded campsites, but instead small, cozy places

• Do not plan long city trips, prefer relaxation by the sea, lake, in nature

• Plan day trips in advance and create a mindful daily schedule (e.g. mindful meditation/yoga sessions to regenerate in between), less is more, because above a certain stimulus threshold, the body no longer consciously perceives the surrounding stimuli

• If food intolerances play a role, it is better to take your own food with you or find out in advance what food/shops/restaurants are available

• Visiting museums can provide new inspiration, especially in the case of depression and anxiety disorders, and the art on display invites you to explore new paths, additionally there are almost always places to sit in them

• In midsummer, do not go out in the midday heat, make sure you have sun protection and generally drink plenty of water

• Don't drive yourself, either let other family members drive or switch to bus/train travel (when traveling by train, you can sometimes reserve your own compartment)

• If sleep hygiene is important, it is better to take your own bedding or familiar stimuli with you, especially important for children (familiar pet toy, favorite game, etc.)

• It is better to go on vacation locally than on long long-distance trips, this also protects the climate

• If you are single and don't like to travel alone, you can book a mindful retreat - check in advance whether a trauma-sensitive option is possible (some yoga/meditation offerings can also be too much for people with chronic illnesses).