Pacing Yourself During Travel: Tips and Strategies

August 9, 2026  ·  Travel Tips

A plane in the foreground with the sun rising in the background.

Pacing yourself during travel is a key part of living with a hidden illness. We only have so many spoons, and if you don’t keep that in mind, you are in for a trip that will be miserable. Here are some tips and tricks to make sure you don’t crash hard during your travels.

  • Take Frequent Breaks: This may seem like a simple task, but in the heat of the moment when you’re having a blast, it can easily become an afterthought. Set a check-in reminder on your phone every 1–2 hours—or pause at natural transition points like after an activity or during lunch—to listen to what your body is telling you.
  • Don’t Do Everything: You may feel like you want to see every square inch of Paris or New York, but that may not be an option. Before your trip, write down everything you want to do, and pick 5 or 6 "must-dos". Pick another 5–10 "wants," and work your way through the list as energy permits. Prioritize the important things you’ll regret missing, and once those are checked off, focus on the ones that create amazing memories along the way.
  • Keep Accessibility in Mind: As Americans, we are privileged to have strong protections in the form of the ADA, but many countries aren’t so lucky. Keep in mind that while traveling, you may not always have access to a ramp, or the street may be rough to walk on if it is made from cobblestone. Researching layout and mobility conditions ahead of time helps ensure you aren't caught off guard.
  • TSA Cares: I know I mention it a lot on this blog, but it is a very important asset to keep in mind while traveling. Having a Passenger Support Specialist help you navigate the instructions and commands of TSA officers can be incredibly helpful, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience flying.
  • Wear A Sunflower Lanyard: Many airports and airlines are trained to recognize these as indicators of hidden illness. Staff will be able to quickly identify that you may need a bit of extra help when traveling. This is also a great time to take advantage of preboarding: if you get anxious or if it takes you a moment to get oriented, preboarding lets you get on the plane ahead of everyone else and figure out your next steps in peace.
  • Use A Travel Agent: Having a specialized agency like Travel with Chance help during your trip is an amazing way to take stress off your shoulders. We coordinate with TSA, airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and tour partners to make sure your itinerary is built with you in mind. We make the phone calls and send the emails to ensure your trip has the accommodations needed to make it an amazing experience.

How do you protect your energy when you're on the road? Reach out to us at Travel with Chance or drop a comment on our social media posts to share your favorite pacing tips!