Having just returned from a surprisingly stormy week in Menorca, it occurred to me how important holidays are to those with long-term illnesses such as M.E. but I also realise that you cannot have a true holiday without some element of travel, and M.E. does not enjoy being moved.
Travelling is tiring to the holiday-maker in a perfect state of health but serves only to exacerbate the fatigue symptoms of an M.E. sufferer, to the point where you wonder if it is worth it.
Holidays though, are the perfect tonic and can rejuvenate and revitalise, allowing both mind and body to relax and become more in tune with one another.
It is without doubt the flights, long car journeys, train trips and coach excursions that cause tiredness even before the holiday starts and if you thought that getting there was difficult try getting back! Delays, and further long journeys after an enjoyable holiday (where you often feel better than normal and thus do more) can leave you feeling as though you have gone backwards in your recovery.
Here then, are my tips for reducing the knock-on effects of holidaying (none of which I adhered to and am thus paying the price for drinking far too much sangria and staying up late):
Get yourself organised before you go. Try to book holidays well in advance so that you can sort a few things out each week and avoid any tiring last minute mad dashes to clothing stores and supermarkets! Remember you are not going to anywhere uncivilised and they will have shops too!
Make sure you have an EHIC card (if you are travelling to Europe) and insurance to cover you should you need any medical treatment during your stay. It is also worth getting holiday insurance for trips in this country just in case you have to cancel due to poor health.
If you are going abroad try as far as possible to get flights during the day so that you do not have the added fatigue of flying through the night.
Pick destinations that are not too far!
If flying does not suit you and makes you feel worse consider other methods of travel and types of holiday such as coach trips (some do door-to-door), cruises (not all are expensive!!), holidaying in the UK (we often ignore the places on our doorstep) or making your way to your destination slowly and building rest stops and overnight stops into your holiday.
Try out of season breaks for a cheaper and quieter alternative.
Get plenty of rest during your holiday and stay out of the sun from 12-3.
Try gentle exercise such as swimming or walking if you feel up to it.
Avoid alcohol if it does not suit you or ensure you drink only with meals and keep drinking water as well.
Avoid dehydration drink plenty of water, preferably bottled water as drinking tap water in many places can cause stomach upsets.
Get someone else to lug your suitcase around. A few moments of lifting a heavy case could sap what little strength you have and exacerbate sore and aching muscles.
When returning from holiday do not rush around trying to get unpacking and washing done the minute you get in the door. Give yourself at least the rest of the day and a good nights sleep to recover before you attempt it!
Lastly, and this is the most important point of all
.ENJOY YOURSELF!!! Take time out for yourself, look at it as a retreat and an opportunity to unwind and relax in different surroundings because a change is good for the soul.
Hope this helps anyone planning on taking a break. Remember, as May Sarton once said:
A holiday gives one a chance to look backward and forward, to reset oneself by an inner compass.
Relax and enjoy 
