The Lessons Learnt When Travelling

Sheryl, as well as sharing her own stories about living with a chronic illness, is a great support to other bloggers and writers.  One such way is through monthly link-up parties whereby bloggers and writers share their stories through given prompts.  I’ve decided to take part in this month’s Link Up Party, using the prompts to help others gain insight into travelling when living with a neurological disorder.

Travel and visiting new destinations is one of the great joys of life.

Whether it be for a few days or several weeks, travel allows us to escape our lives, allowing the pursuit that of which is important to us. Or the freedom to seek out activities that we have always wanted to try but never found time to accomplish.

Living with a neurological condition, however, can make travel exceptionally difficult.  Living with constant and unrelenting symptoms, especially those which can be unpredictable, can often force you into a bubble; a little prison where we’re happiest in the safe and familiar surroundings of home.  Home is secure, like a security blanket. Although the symptoms are incredibly unpleasant, it is easier to endure behind the closed doors of our homes. It’s safe, but it’s not living, is it?

"Our symptoms are often easier to endure when at home amongst the comfort and familiarity of home." Share on X

If we are to endure the persistent and tenacious symptoms everywhere, then why not do so amidst the unknown and breathtaking scenery of foreign lands.

We are sick, and thus can be ill anywhere, so why not travel?

If I am to be sick, then I can be sick anywhere.

That’s why I decided to step outside the comfort zone of my familiar surroundings.  I chose to live.  To live with the symptoms of this neurological condition instead of merely enduring them.

We have found cruising the most accessible and enjoyable way of travelling while in the company of a neurological disorder. And so a love of cruising began.

[Tweet “I have found the cruising offers the most accessible and enjoyable way of travelling.”]

That is not to say, that it has become any straightforward, however.  There is always some anxiety and trepidation before embarking on our travels.  The fear of the unknown; the unknown of when we will experience a severe flare in our symptoms.  The uncertainty of whether we will manage to leave our hotel room. The fear that pain and other symptoms will dictate our travels just as it does every day while at home.

Currently, I have been experiencing a severe chronic pain flare.  So intense, that I have found myself crippled on the floor of my bathroom, retching with the intensity of it. So the worry of travelling while amid such crippling pain began.

Lesson Learnt When Travelling: My Strength and Resilience Despite Illness

However, I realised that to defeat this recent attack of chronic pain and the accompanying anxiety; I need to look back and remember the previous times I have been on a cruise. And need reminding of the coping techniques that helped me endure chronic pain, and the other problematic symptoms while being in uncertain and unfamiliar surroundings.

This year marks my fourth cruise. By looking back to my past adventures at sea, I can identify what helped manage and control my symptoms before so that I can put these same arrangements in place.  Already, this has involved an appointment with my GP for a prescription for strong painkillers to manage the chronic pain while away from home and motion sickness tablets. Not only do they help ease nausea caused by sea-sickness, but they can also help reduce the severity of the dizziness and attacks of vertigo that I frequently experience.  And with chronic pain comes painsomnia and so I have bought lavender and chamomile pillow spray to help me sleep.

"By reminding myself of the strategies that helped manage my symptoms, I can put these in place again."] Share on X

Lesson Learnt When Travelling: The Power of Pacing!

When living with a chronic illness, one of the critical techniques in our self-management toolbox is pacing.  Chronic illness affects our energy levels, and thus we only have limited battery life. By learning how to space out activities, we can learn to stay within the limits of what our bodies can handle without exacerbating our symptoms. Or before running out of battery life altogether.

Pacing, therefore, is an essential coping technique when on holiday. And away from our daily routines and behaviours, especially as many holiday activities may deplete our already exhausted battery levels.  Jennifer, from The Health Sessions, recommends for every active-day we follow this with one day of rest. Doing so allows our bodies to recover between energy-consuming activities. When on a cruise, however, pacing can be awkward as we are not in control of the itinerary.  It is crucial that we are mindful of our limitations and not to exceed them, spoiling the remainder of our relaxing time away.

"For every active day follow this with one day of rest to help manage our energy." Share on X

Lesson Learnt When Travelling: The Need For Surrendering to Symptoms

As much as pacing can help manage our symptoms, however, we are more than likely will still experience flares.  If so, we need more than ever to surrender and take care of ourselves. Yes, even if it does mean missing out on specific events and activities that our holidays may have on offer.  I know from experience that this can be difficult, and we tend to criticise ourselves for missing out. Instead, we should be congratulating ourselves for even managing to get away from the security of home. And for not letting chronic illness make a prisoner of our own lives.

Travelling with chronic illness can sometimes mean surrendering to it; finding ways to make whatever we’d like to do on holiday manageable for ourselves and our weak bodies.

"It is important to find ways to make whatever we like to do on holiday manageable for ourselves."] Share on X

Lesson Learnt When Travelling: To Go With The Flow

Travelling with chronic illness also means learning to go with the flow.

Change and not knowing what to expect can be difficult when living with a chronic illness because it’s the not knowing what to expect that makes it much harder to anticipate, plan and manage our symptoms.  Therefore, perhaps not making concrete plans may be of some use when on holiday and instead take part in the activities and events on offer when we know we can enjoy them.

"Not knowing what to expect makes it harder to anticipate, plan and manage our symptoms." Share on X

Travelling Helps To Improve Ourselves

It may sound that travelling while living with a neurological disorder is more trouble than it’s worth.  In my mind, however, and despite all of the problems, it isn’t.  Travelling offers the opportunity for us to improve ourselves.  Whenever we venture outside our comfort zones and visit places we’ve never been before our world expands and our eyes open to new possibilities like never before.  Travel, especially when living with a life-long condition allows for us to learn things about ourselves, our needs and capabilities that we may never have known otherwise.

In my four years of cruising, I have learned that the more I do so, it also improves my aptitude of being away from home, despite how uncomfortable it can make me.

Chronic illness can rob us of many things, but we should not let it rob us the enjoyment and excitement of new adventures.

"Chronic illness should not rob us of the enjoyment and excitement of new adventures." Share on X