After a long winter in the Midwest, the warm spring weather is so welcome! I will find any excuse to get outside and get my body moving. I know we are limited by this quarantine, but I am trying my best to stay physically active (while social distancing of course!) and I encourage you to do the same! According to experts, staying active can help reduce stress, boost your immune system, and improve your mood. I don’t know about you but I could definitely use a little mood boost today!
But when you live with a chronic illness or rely on medication throughout the day, leaving the house can turn into a hassle, especially with the added stress of social distancing. What if you forget something important or don’t have your medication when you need it most? But luckily, there are ways you can be prepared and still get outside and get moving. Let’s talk about managing your medication on-the-go!
There is something about getting out in the spring air that really gets me going! The winter is over, the days are longer and the air is so fresh! While social distancing has changed a lot of what we can do, we can still get outside and move our bodies by ourselves or with family. One of my favorite things to do is go on a nice long walk or hike. Right now is a great time to explore new trails in your area that are less traveled! Not only does this make it easier to social distance and feel safe outside, it also adds some variety to your days.
However, for those with a chronic illness and those who balance a tough medication management schedule, taking new trails and straying from the usual routine can be stressful. What if it takes longer than planned and I miss a dose? Or what if I find myself short on supplies in the middle of a hike? These worries can make getting out feel too stressful and overwhelming. So what can you do to conquer these worries and enjoy this spring?
The best way to give yourself peace-of-mind is to have a plan and be prepared before you leave the house. For starters, be sure to check out the CDC website for advice and tips on staying safe while getting outside! As for managing your medication, something I like to do is create a “to-go kit” before I leave. I’m sure you have already heard this a thousand times but I’ll say it again – it is always better to be over prepared than under prepared. If you already have a to-go kit, great! Take a minute to go through it and check that it is still stocked and ready to go. And if you don’t have one, this is the perfect time to put one together!
When putting together my kit, I try to think about what I need for daily use as well as what I would need in an emergency and make a checklist. I know that is not a fun topic to think about but you will be so much more comfortable knowing you are prepared! And of course we all have different needs so your to-go kit will look different than mine.
Some things you might include on your checklist:
For packing medications in pill form, it is always a good idea to use a sturdy container that can be easily packed into a bag for safe keeping, like this one! Putting loose pills in your pocket or bag (am I the only one guilty of this?) makes it easy to lose track of them, leaving you unprepared. For liquid medication, especially those that need cooling, a Chillmed bag is a great option! With different styles of bags you can easily find one that meets your needs and fits all of your supplies. Easily carry your pens, syringes, and vials along with your other essential supplies.
Once you have your checklist made, go ahead and pack up your supplies in a way that feels organized and easily accessible to you!
Now that you have everything together, give your to-go kit a test run to make sure it works for you! Take an adventure in your own backyard and see how it feels – did you pack enough? Did you pack too much? Does it help you manage your medication? Would you feel comfortable being out for a while? Feeling confident in your preparedness can make all the difference when it comes to getting out of the house. Instead of worrying and stressing about medication, you can live in the moment and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors!
So take some time to find an outdoor activity that suits you. Whether that means biking, running, hiking or walking by yourself or with your family – any activity that gets you moving is a plus! And with your to-go kit perfected, you can enjoy your time outside worry-free.
Thanks for reading!
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ways-to-stay-active-while-youre-stuck-at-home
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/visitors.html
