As summer winds down, many of us are scrambling to get onnnnnnne more vacation in. Whether it’s a day on the beach, a picnic in the park, or a road trip to your favorite amusement park (or, let’s face it, your kids’ favorite amusement park), it’s last call for Fun-town before moving into the fall grind and the inevitable march to the holidays.
A Vacation from your Chronic Illness…
But what do you do if a relaxing vacation, or even the idea of relaxing, seems out of reach? Many people living with a chronic illness know exactly how this feels, especially if they have debilitating physical symptoms. With a chronic illness, you’re never 100% relaxed because you can’t step away from your symptoms. And for some the thought of traveling and making accommodations for medications and assistive devices in unfamiliar surroundings might make Fun-town feel more like Pain-in-the-ass-town.
But You Deserve A Break!
Lots of physicians and mental health experts would argue that taking a break is exactly what you need. Dr. Laurie Ferguson, a health psychologist and VP of Education at Creaky Joints, points out that—like it or not—living with and treating chronic illness is a full-time job. Like any full-time job, sometimes you need to step back to clear your head, recharge your batteries, and take time for you.
Dr. Ferguson noticed that many of her patients were intimidated by the thought of stepping back, even for a little while, because of the impact it would have on their daily routine. It makes sense; daily routines are important for patients living with chronic illness. But she points out that just making small changes to your schedule can free up a little extra time. Whether it’s carving out a half hour in the evening for a light walk or a catnap, or taking an hour earlier in the day to learn a new hobby or read a book, these bite-sized vacations still serve the purpose of helping you feel refreshed and revitalized in small doses.
Add up those moments over days and weeks, and maybe you can enjoy the relaxation benefits of a full vacation…only without the long lines, screaming kids, or sand in your shorts!
