For people with fibromyalgia (and possibly also with other muscle conditions), a warm climate is better for the muscles than a cold climate. That’s why I always like to travel to sunny countries. We like Asia a lot, and especially Thailand. That’s definitely my favorite country.

Less pain

Personally I really notice that I can handle the pain better when I’m on vacation. And the pain sometimes even seems to be less (as long as I don’t do a 3-hour jungle walking tour of course). I’m obviously less busy on vacation than I have to be back home. Like with work (on the computer), grocery shopping, some housekeeping and cooking. So that already means a lot less physical strain on my body. But in addition, the heat is also just really nice for my muscles. I can relax more and have to endure less pain.

Humidity

Even though a country may have high temperatures, it may also be accompanied by high humidity. And humidity isn’t good for people with chronic muscle complaints.

I personally just accept the high humidity in Asian countries I really wanted to go to. Like Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. But there are a number of countries and places I’ve avoided so far because of the humidity. For example Costa Rica, which has beautiful rain forests. Which of course are extremely humid. I’d really like to go, but then I’d have to walk a lot and at a high humidity level. And that is just a no-go for me. It will cause me a lot of pain, so I have to make wise choices.

I already occasionally have problems with the humidity in the Netherlands, where I live. When it’s nice and warm in the summer, and then suddenly a rain shower is released. Where most people think: ‘great, rain, that’s good for my garden and all my plants’, I think: nooooo. If it rains on a sunny day, I just immediately feel it in my muscles and I get considerably more pain. Unfortunately I cannot avoid it in the Netherlands, but I am bothered enough by it that I know I shouldn’t look it up if it’s not necessary.

Find the best time to travel

When you’ve decided on a country you want to visit, find out when it’s the best time to travel. Temperature and climate changes during the year. Summer time in one country may be rainy season in another. If you finally travel to that country you always wanted to go, it would be a shame if it turns out to be the monsoon or hurricane season.

There are several websites where you can check when it’s the best time to visit destinations. There you can find information like temperature, climate tables, weather and best time to travel to that country or city.
Use a website like HolidayGuru to check your destination and find the perfect time for you to go traveling. Preferably with nice temperatures and not too much rainy days.

Side note with regards to rainy days. Keep in mind that rain in countries in Asia are different than rainy days in Europe. When it rains in Europe, like in the Netherlands, it can easily rain all day long. When you’re in Asia, you have more chance of short rain showers. Most of the time in the late afternoon. So that’s not all too bad.

Also check out my article Find the best time to travel.

Attractive destinations despite humidity

I’ve been to Borneo and went to the rainforest there. Despite the humidity. Because, when you’re in Borneo, you absolutely must discover the rainforest! Of course we couldn’t do a multiple or whole day hike through the rainforest. But just a long enough hike to get the feeling, see the nature and the amazing views. We also did a canopy walk high through the trees. It was great!

But we mainly went to Borneo to go snorkeling. There are several cool islands near Kota Kinabalu where you could go to by boat, for only $10. There you can enjoy snorkeling all day long. With beautiful reefs and fish. Absolutely amazing.

Borneo is just one example of a destination that may seem less attractive on paper, with regard to humidity. But if you plan your day trips well, it can definitely be done. And be enjoyable, despite some humidity. And that is also the case with lots of other countries. So check out the humidity in advance, but don’t immediately be discouraged if you see high humidity.

Making choices

To see some nature sights on Borneo, while taking my pains into consideration, I did what I often do when I plan a trip. I alternated the snorkeling days (which are ‘relax days’ for us) with the more ‘active’ excursion days. That way it’s reasonably good to handle.

Don’t make it too hard for yourself. You don’t have to deprive yourself of all experiences. Sometimes you have to decide that something is worth the extra pain. But choose your battles.

Never again

When you’ve chosen a country with a warm climate to travel to, you’ll definitely enjoy the nice weather. The warmth on your skin and the lesser muscle pains. Relaxing in the sun, swimming, reading a book and just having a good time. But you also occasionally want to do something. This is where you have to make wise choices.

A good example of ‘never again’ is zip lining on Koh Phangan. I’ll never do that again. It was a trap I just walked right into. Simply because it seemed so cool to me. Not knowing how much of the trail/climb I had to keep myself standing by hanging with my arms on thick and rough ropes. Just so I wouldn’t fall. I could actually cry at that moment, I was in so much pain. But fortunately I didn’t and I finished the course. And was really proud of myself (besides the fact that the zip lining part actually was really fun).

But I really didn’t think that one through. Now I can say ‘I did it’. But the zip lining was definitely an example of something that was not worth the extra amount of pain. I seriously had bruises all over my arms and several days of a lot of pain. So if you have fibromyalgia or upper arm issues, I really don’t recommend doing something like this.

Know your own body

Knowledge comes with years. Being able to better assess what your body can handle and when something is worth a little extra pain. And just dare to admit that to yourself. And others! There’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes it’s difficult to accept, but through my blog I also hope to show people that even if you have limitations, in terms of physical barriers, pain, endurance, etc., you can still see and enjoy the world.

Also, don’t think too much about what other people are going to think. They don’t know what you feel. And it’s really hard for people who don’t have fibromyalgia to understand why one day you can do this and that, and the other day you can hardly wash your own hair. Just to name something. Every day is different and you don’t always know what the day will bring. With regard to the amount of pain you have. So if you’re on vacation and there’s this amazing place you want to see, but it will mean a little more pain, just make a decision. Depending on if it’s even physically possible of course. If it only means a little more pain, I would say, just go for it. Try it (or you will possibly regret it later) and just take a resting day the day after.

Warm countries can be good for you

So in conclusion, countries with higher temperatures in my experience are overall better for people with fibromyalgia than colder countries. But when planning a vacation, besides the temperature, also take the humidity into consideration. And the degree of activities that you’re planning to do. So for example, when you go to a rainforest (which automatically includes a lot of walking and high humidity), plan a resting day for the next day. Stay by the pool of the hotel or just lay on the beach. Give your body the time to recover a bit, charge your energy and just relax.

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