Happy May! I say this with absolute sincerity because I am writing this post beside a glassy pool as I hear waves crashing in the distance and feel cool ocean breeze tickle my skin.

But don't let this beachside paradise description mislead you--this post is all about Charleston. Specifically about my experiences in Charleston the Lyme way. What started off as a wedding in Isle of Palms turned into a weekend in Charleston, S.C. I'm going to share some tips for making traveling not just bearable but enjoyable if you have a chronic illness. So sit back, grab a cool drink, and let me walk you through my weekend in the Holy City!

Tip 1: Investigate restaurant menus ahead of time for dietary restrictions

This is probably a given, but many of us Lymies and other people with autoimmune or chronic conditions have dietary restrictions. One of the most stressful things about traveling is finding a restaurant that caters to your dietary needs. Fortunately restaurants are becoming increasingly sensitive to popular dietary preferences like gluten-free (GF), vegan, etc. A helpful tool in locating such restaurants is the Find Me Gluten-Free app or website. All you need to do it type in your zip code to locate a list of restaurants that provide GF options on their menu. That's a start. But for those of us who have even more limitations (similar to the Whole30 diet), sometimes you just have to accept that you will have fewer options or else will need to compromise a little.

Tip 2: Earplugs

This might not apply to many of you, but for anyone like myself who experiences sensory overload or sensitivity to loud noises (think loud restaurants, bars, streets), earplugs are really valuable to keep with you. I was surprised at how much less overwhelmed and anxious I felt at loud public places with these simple earplugs. The ones I have are tiny, easy to twist in your ear, comfortable and hardly noticeable. I highly recommend keeping a pair handy if you ever feel overwhelmed by loud background noises!

Tip 3: Portable stool

This one is genius. And I can't take credit for the idea. My sister, Melanie, is the hero here. It turns out there are companies who think about those of us who need to stop and sit down more often than others. Melanie saw thoughtfully picked up one of these portable, lightweight, fold-up stools PackSeats from Half-Moon Outfitters and it could not have been more convenient. They are easy to carry around, fold up and allow for a quick break at any time. You can order them from Amazon for 20 dollars.

Tip 4: Find relaxing ways to sightsee

Ever since I can remember, my mother has been obsessed with taking bike taxis wherever we travel. While I normally would just roll my eyes, this time it made sense to give it a try. The Charleston version of a bike taxi is called a Rickshaw and they can take you wherever you want or just bike you around to sightsee. We opted for the latter and absolutely loved it! We really enjoyed riding throughout the city with the cool breeze blowing our hair while not having to expend any energy. This was my favorite part of day and I would totally do it again.

Tip 5: Travel with people who are understanding, flexible and patient

Nobody is perfect. But there are definitely some people who make better travel partners than others. And if you are not fully healthy, it's critical that you choose to travel with people who know and understand your limitations and can be flexible and patient with your pace.

Fortunately my mom and sister are both patient and flexible enough to bear with me. If they want to keep shopping but I'm tired, I have no problem chilling somewhere scenic while they continue shopping. Or even better, if they want to keep going sometimes I let them drop me off near a nice area and then pick me up when they are done their thing and ready to move on. But that takes extra effort on their part. Traveling with people willing to make that effort or slow down and do less can make your travel experience infinitely more pleasant.

Tip 6: Brace yourself and pace yourself

Take breaks. And accept that you will push yourself. Obviously you will use more energy than usual if you are using all your strength to sightsee and get around. Which means you will inevitably pay for the deficit on some level. If you accept that cost upfront, you can enjoy the experience without beating yourself up. Sometimes you need to live and accept the discomfort that comes with it. But pacing yourself is an easy way to minimize damage and slow down to keep from burning out too quick.

Tip 7: Settle for a virgin cocktail

This may seem strange--but those of us with chronic conditions know that avoiding inflammation-causing foods is one of the easiest steps we can take to feel better, and unfortunately alcohol is at the top of that list. Everyone can make their own call here, but I have learned (the hard way, unfortunately) that my Lyme body and alcohol are not friends anymore. So I opt for a virgin cocktail because why sip water when everyone else gets their jazzy drinks? It's vacation, after all.

Virgin cocktails can still be loaded with sugar, though. So try to find one that is not pumped with syrup. And bonus--they hide the taste of bitter medicinal herbs much better than water.

These are my travel tips for seeing a city like Charleston. For a brief visit, these tips helped me out a lot. If anybody has additional tips, I'd love to hear!

As for Charleston, I can't recommend it enough. I guarantee you will eat like royalty, shop well and be completely enamored by the unique, Southern architecture and enchanting foliage!