Vacations are a precious time for disconnection and recharging, especially important when living with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis. Rest, change of environment, moments of pleasure: all contribute to overall well-being and brain health. But should you abandon your cognitive stimulation during the holidays? How to reconcile rest, discovery, and maintenance of your brain capabilities? This guide gives you the keys for serene and cognitively active vacations.

Vacations and MS: Specific Challenges

Going on vacation with MS requires special preparation. Heat, travel fatigue, and change of pace can affect symptoms, including cognitive functions. But vacations also bring considerable benefits: physical and mental rest, fresh air, new stimuli, moments of joy that are positive factors for the brain and morale.

The Benefits of Vacations for the Brain

Contrary to what one might think, vacations are excellent for the brain. Rest allows for consolidation of learning, reduction of chronic stress that harms cognition, restoration of mental energy reserves. New experiences create new neural connections. Pleasure and relaxation promote the production of beneficial neurotransmitters.

Should You Continue Cognitive Stimulation on Vacation?

The answer is not binary and depends on several factors: the duration of your vacation, your type of stay, your level of fatigue, and your personal preferences. Vacations are for relaxing, and imposing too rigid constraints would counter this goal. At the same time, a break that is too long can break the habit and make resuming difficult.

Option 1: Maintain a Light Routine

Continue your exercises but in a lighter way: 10 minutes instead of 20, easy level rather than difficult, not every day if you don't feel like it. This approach maintains the habit without weighing on your holidays. It is often the best compromise for vacations longer than two weeks.

Option 2: Complete Assumed Break

For short vacations (one to two weeks), a complete break is perfectly acceptable. Your brain will not atrophy in such a short time. The important thing is to resume as soon as you return, without delay. Allow yourself this break without guilt: you deserve it.

Option 3: Natural Stimulation

Vacations offer many natural cognitive stimulations: discovering a new place, reading guides and maps, learning a few words of a foreign language, playing board games with family, doing puzzles. These activities stimulate the brain pleasantly and can complement or replace formal exercises.

On vacation, I do a short EDITH session in the morning before breakfast, while the others are still sleeping. It wakes me up gently and I'm free for the rest of the day. But some days I skip it, and I don't feel guilty! Vacations are meant to be enjoyed.

Marc, 52 years old, MS for 14 years

The Advantages of Mobile Apps While Traveling

EDITH and JOE are available on tablets and smartphones, making them perfectly suited for vacations. No need to carry bulky equipment: your cognitive stimulation program fits in your pocket and follows you everywhere in the world.

• Available Everywhere: On the train, plane, at the hotel, camping, on the beach (in the shade!), in the mountains
• Offline Functioning: Exercises work without internet connection, ideal for remote destinations
• Short Sessions: 10-15 minutes are enough, easy to fit between activities
• Continuous Tracking: Your statistics keep filling up even on vacation, keeping track of your progress
• Total Flexibility: Do your exercises when you want, where you want, at your own pace

Preparing for Cognitively Active Vacations

Before Departure

• Download the latest updates for EDITH and JOE to avoid technical issues
• Ensure your devices are charged and bring your chargers
• Decide your strategy: light routine, complete break, or natural stimulation
• Don't pressure yourself: these are vacations, not a training camp!
• Possibly prepare board games or books for varied stimulations

During the Vacation

• Enjoy natural stimulations: cultural visits, reading, family games, discoveries
• If you do your exercises, choose a calm and pleasant time, not under compulsion
• Listen to your body: if fatigue is present, rest, exercises can wait
• Be cautious of heat and the Uhthoff effect on your cognitive abilities, adapt your activities
• Enjoy the present moment: vacations go by fast!

Handling Specific Travel Challenges

Heat and the Uhthoff Phenomenon

If you're heading to a hot destination, anticipate the impact of heat on your symptoms and cognitive abilities. Plan for cooling solutions: air conditioning, cooling vest, spray bottle. Plan your activities during cooler hours and rest during the hottest times.

Travel Fatigue

Long journeys can be exhausting. Plan for recovery time upon arrival before diving into activities. Don't overload your schedule: it's better to do less but truly enjoy it than to rush everywhere and end up exhausted.

Time Zone Difference

If you're traveling far and changing time zones, jet-lag can affect your cognitive abilities for several days. Be gentle with yourself during this adaptation period and don't expect optimal performance.

Last summer, we went to Greece. It was very hot, and I quickly felt the effects on my concentration. I did my EDITH exercises early in the morning, when it was still cool, and it allowed me to maintain my routine while enjoying the vacation. The rest of the day, I just read in the shade!

Sophie, 45 years old, MS for 10 years

On Return: Resume Gradually

Returning from vacation can be difficult. Going back to work, returning to routine, sometimes a bit of post-vacation blues: it's normal and common. For your cognitive stimulation, resume gradually without trying to make up for lost time.

• Day of Return: Rest and settle back in, no mandatory exercises, give yourself time
• Following Days: Gentle resumption with short sessions and easy level to get back into rhythm
• After a Week: Gradual return to your usual routine, listening to your health