Traveling Smarter with MS
I love to travel for fun, and I don't mind traveling for work. But since my MS diagnosis, traveling is a bit different for me. It all comes down to energy: how to preserve it, manage it, and enjoy it while I have it. And to do this, I have a plan.
My energy management starts the minute I get to the airport. I have TSA PreCheck so I can get through security faster (I also have Clear – if one of the lines is looking shorter than the other, I can make a call). Then I'm on to an airline lounge, so I can sit down in a comfortable chair and have access to a clean bathroom (that usually does not have a long line, which helps to cut down on standing time).
The long walks from security to the gate can feel less like a convenient way to get some steps in and more like an energy-zapper, especially in a huge airport. If I'm travelling by myself for work, I don't have an extra set of hands if I need to use my cane, so I have to do a bit of maneuvering to get my boarding pass ready and roll my suitcase at the same time. If you're tracking the energy levels, by this point I've dropped a few points.
Once I'm at the gate and ready to depart, I take advantage of an essential accommodation: preboarding for disabled passengers. These days, finding a seat in the gate area and then boarding right away has been a game changer for me, as it allows me to take my time once I board the plane to get situated. I always bring my cane with me for extra support when I'm walking through the airport or going down the jet bridge. It's also an external cue to people that yes, I do have a disability and need to preboard.
I often feel self-conscious but have to remind myself that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Enduring those few moments of feeling judged is worth it if I can get comfortably to my seat without anxiety (and add a few points in the pro-energy side!). Upon arrival, it's all about taking my time to get to where I need to go. Sometimes for work trips, I even build in extra time by arriving a little earlier than I need so I don't feel rushed.
Traveling for vacation, whether a long weekend or a far-flung location, is still something I love to do. Energy management is just as important when traveling for fun because I want to enjoy my time off. Whereas before I would wander for miles and aim to see as much of a place as I could on foot, I can't walk for hours in a new city anymore. My legs eventually get tired and feel heavy. My hips might start to hurt or the sensations in my feet will make every step uncomfortable. So I map out where I want to go in advance, look for places to take a break, and take my time. That said, if my energy is feeling good that day, I take advantage – adventure awaits!
I'm still learning my boundaries – and how to accept them – when it comes to being out and about while traveling. It's not easy because I want to keep going, just one more block, I'm fine! I don't need a ride. Until it's too late, and I can feel that creeping feeling of fatigue, and I just know that I'll need to recover for a few hours to be able to do it all over again. The same goes for traveling for work. I often push way past my limits in an effort to seem OK in front of my colleagues. Or, I feel totally fine … until I don't (which happens a lot, since MS likes to be unpredictable).
Traveling can tire anyone out, especially if you have trips back-to-back. And I'm finding that with MS, travel can certainly bring on the fatigue if I'm not careful. So as the number of flights and time spent at the airport has increased this year, I'm learning to rewrite how I travel. I'm refining my routine, building and setting boundaries, and learning how to manage the precious resource that is my energy.
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