How to plan a holiday around your health without missing out
Living with a medical condition can change how you travel, but it doesn’t have to shrink your horizons. Rather than ignoring your condition or treating it as an afterthought, placing it at the centre of your planning will help you build an itinerary that meets your needs and is rewarding rather than exhausting. Discover the key steps to follow when planning a holiday around your health.
- Choosing your destination
Your destination is ultimately what will make or break your trip. Whatever condition you’re managing, certain kinds of destinations will be better than others in terms of terrain, healthcare access and available modes of transport. If your condition makes you feel tired, look at the calmest holiday destinations that will help protect your energy levels. These include quieter cities with compact centres and idyllic islands.
Bear in mind specifics that can test your condition, too. Hot weather can worsen feelings of fatigue. For example, those with asthma should approach winter sports holidays with caution, as cold air is a well-documented trigger. Similarly, high altitude can temporarily spike blood pressure, so if you have severe, uncontrolled hypertension or coronary artery disease, avoid sudden increases in elevation which can trigger pain and even cardiac arrest.
- Creating a workable itinerary
A good itinerary should reflect how much energy you actually have, rather than how much sightseeing you could theoretically squeeze into a week. It should also be flexible enough to allow for dips and rises in energy levels, so you can explore depending on how you feel in the moment without losing money or feeling that you’re missing out.
Book in only the essential activities – in the mornings or afternoons to suit your preference – and build rest days around them that could be converted into additional exploration opportunities. Don’t overlook your travel days. Even relatively short journeys can be demanding, especially when you’re managing a condition, so allow time for relaxation on arrival to avoid you playing catch up all week.
- Preparing for your needs
A little practical preparation can remove a lot of uncertainty once you leave home. If you’re unsure how travelling could affect your condition, talk through your plans with your GP or relevant healthcare professional, and make sure you have enough medication for your trip. Check the rules for taking your medicines into your destination and keep essential medication accessible while you travel.
When arranging your travel insurance, look for a policy that covers your condition, such as special medical travel insurance that can be tailored to the level of protection you require. This will help to ensure financial protection should you need medication, treatment or emergency repatriation. Before taking out a policy, check what’s covered. Make sure you declare your condition accurately to ensure the policy is valid.
- Making time for rest
Rest doesn’t have to mean sacrificing part of your holiday. In practice, slowing down at the right moment can help you enjoy the experiences that matter most, and help you return home renewed.
Build breathing room around your priorities. You could spend the morning exploring a historic centre, for instance, then leave the afternoon free for a long lunch or time at your hotel before heading out again that evening. Choosing accommodation near the places you plan to visit can also reduce the energy you spend simply getting around and make it easier to return for a break. Remember to prioritise your sleep, practising proper sleep hygiene for longer and better nightly rest.
- Prioritising yourself
Ultimately, you need to be prioritising yourself from the start to have a positive experience that feels complete, not compromised. It might seem selfish, but it’s better all round, for everyone. The last thing you want is for your condition to feel like a limiting factor that disrupts the itinerary or holds back the rest of your party.
You should also feel free to bow out of plans when you need to, without any guilt. If your body tells you that today’s ambitious hike has become a café and a gentle wander, changing your plans isn’t wasting the day.
Give yourself permission to craft a personal experience without feeling that you need to ‘make the most’ of every hour or match the energy levels of others. Identify the things you care about most and treat everything else as optional. Your holiday can still feel full of memorable moments without leaving you exhausted when you get home.
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