Travel Tips

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I love exploring new places. My personal favorite so far has been California! I love the sun, the culture, and just the overall feel of the West Coast. Traveling can be daunting on its own. Planning, packing, and navigating (whether it be an airport or the highway) can cause some stress. Add on top of that chronic illness and the stress level goes up even more. As someone who loves to travel but also deals with a chronic illness, I wanted to share some tips and tricks I have learned to help alleviate stress so you can enjoy traveling!

1)  Get a pill organizer

One of my biggest lifesavers has been investing in a pill organizer that is divided by days. It fits easily in my purse, and I can put all my medications in the correct box. It helps me make sure I have enough medicine for the trip and keep track of if I took it. I also make sure to pack an extra day or two of medicine just in case! These cases are super affordable and I honestly wish I had thought of getting one sooner!

2)  Make a list

Keeping track and managing everything can be extremely tough. For me, lists are the best way to help plan and stay organized. I will write down what I need for the trip, what I must do before leaving, and anything else I think may be important. These lists help me stay on top of everything and feel less stressed when traveling. Also, there’s nothing more satisfying than crossing off an item on my list!

3) Travel with someone

They always say travel with a buddy, and that is so true! As much as I’d love to travel solo, I get so anxious because of my health issues. I feel so much better when I am with a good friend or family member. Not only do I feel safer in general but in case the worst- case scenario happens, I have someone there with me. Someone who knows my health history, how to access my health information on MyChart, and can get me to a hospital if needed. Thankfully, this has never happened, but I would rather be safe than sorry!

4) Research the Area

Going to a new area can be extremely challenging. Looking up things to do and some information about the area can help so much! Also, knowing where the nearest hospital and pharmacy are can be extremely important. That way, you know where to go in case something happens while you are there. For me, I always tend to see how far the nearest hospital is just for piece of mind and to know where to go.

Those are my top four tips for traveling with chronic illness! While it is always important to be organized and prepared, it is even more so when dealing with a health issue. While it is stressful, it is possible and still so much fun! I hope these small tips help you in your next travels!