When I first developed POTS, I was scared I’d never be able to go on my favorite mountain trails again. And as an elopement photographer, I was scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my couples. But I’m here a year and some change later to tell you that those things are possible. With mobility aids, medication, exercise and accommodations, I’m getting my life back and getting stronger every day. With my own personal travel and hiking adventures with POTS and my experience planning elopements, I wanted to share some tips to planning a POTS-friendly elopement. If you want to elope but are scared of triggering a POTS-flare, you’re in the right place.
How to Plan a POTS-Friendly Elopement
Instead of just pushing through your elopement day and inevitability causing a flare, there are things we can do to customize an elopement experience to reduce triggers. The goal is to create a day that fully celebrates your love and makes you feel good physically too.
Plan to arrive a few days early.
If you’re eloping more than an hour or two away from where you live, I strongly recommend staying closer to your elopement location for at least the night before and the day after. If you’re travelling from further away, I recommend arriving two or three days early to recover from travel and letting your body acclimatize to your new location. This is especially a good idea if you’re flying from out of state or if you’re eloping in a climate that’s drastically different to where you live (ie you live at sea level and you’re eloping in the mountains). Let’s start your elopement day feeling your best instead of already mildly (or majorly) flared.
Plan to stay at your destination a few days after.
The same goes on the other side of your day. No matter how you plan to accommodate and pace yourself on your day, naturally there’s going to be adrenaline from getting married! Give yourself at least a day after your elopement to relax and recover from your adventure. This can also be great quality time for you and your partner to soak up the “just married” feels.
Avoid crowded locations when possible.
Honestly, crowds are never not stressful, and stress can trigger flares. If you’re eloping at a popular location, I strongly recommend choosing a weekday, early in the morning or a shoulder season for the most relaxing version of that spot. Plus, that means you get more privacy on your wedding day.
Know yourself and your abilities.
Your elopement day doesn’t have to feature a 6-mile hike to be considered an elopement, and it doesn’t have to be a 12-hour non-stop event. You can focus on accessible locations, relaxing activities, or even split up your celebration into two shorter days. Ask yourself what would feel best for you, and stick with that. Because that will let you turn the focus from “making it through” the day to actually celebrating your relationship with your partner.
How to Prepare for your Elopement with POTS
We’re all on our own journey with POTS maintenance and recovery. You know your body best, and I am not a medical professional in any sense of the term. I want to share what has made the biggest difference in my own experience preparing for hikes or long days, but please consult your doctor before changing any of your own practices.
Start with building muscle.
Did you know that it’s harder for blood to pool in muscle? That means the more muscle you have, the better circulation (a big generalization but go with me here). And better circulation (and less blood pooling) helps you tolerate more cardio in the long run. Be sure to do your research for your body type, but here are some basics for building muscle.
If you’re able to, give weight lifting a try. You can start with machines or body-weight exercises until you’re confident and consider hiring a personal trainer to help make sure your form is good. Then once you feel like you have a solid base, lift heavy. This means pushing within a few reps of failure. Again, consider hiring a personal trainer and always consult your doctor before following a stranger’s advice on the internet. Only you know your boundaries and limitations, but resistance training truly changed my life for the better.
Two other important items when it comes to building muscle: protein and rest. I know protein is kinda a fad these days, but it is really important for building muscle. If you’re not into calorie counting or meal tracking (me too), just try to focus on eating more protein-dense foods like beans, tofu, whole grains, dairy and meat. Or you could add a protein powder into your diet. Getting enough good-quality sleep is as important as anything else in building muscle too. If you struggle with insomnia, try creating a night-time routine and prioritize rest (even if it’s not sleep).
Follow CHOP protocol for cardio tolerance.
CHOP protocol is an exercise program developed by Dr. Jeffrey Brois specifically to gradually increase stamina in people with POTS. It focuses on horizontal exercises to start with (think: swimming, rowing or recumbent biking) and then transitions to upright exercises (think: walking or elliptical training). A lot of people have had great results following this protocol. Again, be sure to do your own research and talk to your doctors.
Prioritize rest and hydration as you approach your elopement date.
A week or two before your elopement date, lay off the training and focus on getting really solid rest. Try to prioritize your sleep and keep daily activity pretty mellow. Be sure to start hydrating extra about a week (or at the very least, 3 days before) your travel or elopement date.
POTS Travel Tips
If you’re flying to your elopement destination and are nervous about the trip, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of potentially triggering things about flying – standing in line in the airport, limited seating, and then being stationary for hours with pressure changes on the plane. I was a nervous wreck on my first trip after my diagnosis, but I found that my fears were worse than the actual experience. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve implemented from my personal experience traveling with POTS.
- Make sure to refill prescriptions before your trip and take extra doses with you just in case.
- Consider using a cane, rollator or wheelchair in the airport. This can help reduce fatigue, and it makes your disability visible. As much as invisible disabilities are still valid and real, I’ve found that using a cane can act as a visual cue for airport staff to help me. I’ve experienced much more support (ie priority security line, early boarding, etc.) while using my cane vs. not.
- While standing in line, shift your weight from foot to foot or walk in place to keep blood flowing. While sitting on the airplane, move your ankles and try to stretch every hour or so.
- Bring multiple kinds of snacks (salty, sweet, savory, etc) to have something to look forward to so you’re not just dreading the whole experience.
- Hydrate heavily the day before and take electrolytes before your flight and refill your water bottle before boarding the plane.
- Board early if you can to avoid standing in the line during boarding.
- Book a window seat (if getting up is a trigger) or an aisle seat (if you’re drinking a lot of water and will have to use the restroom mid-flight).
- Consider wearing a mask to protect against getting sick. The last thing you need on top of a potential flare is a cold.
- Wear layers. Planes can be both burning hot and freezing cold within the same flight, so be prepared for both. Wear something light underneath a sweatshirt and bring a handheld fan.
- If you’re driving to the airport, stock your car with extra water and snacks for your return.
Remember this when you’re traveling – there are people there to help you! Don’t be afraid to ask for help if it would make your experience better. You don’t have to be on the verge of passing out to ask for a chair.
How to Enjoy your Elopement Day with POTS
The whole point of doing all this planning and preparation is so you can focus on enjoying your day. There are some things you can do on your elopement day to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Wear compression under your wedding attire.
Skin-toned leggings or shape wear can be a good alternative to traditional compression wear and doesn’t show through your attire. Another option is to just rock it! Wear those compression socks with the yellow stripes! There are no rules for what you need to wear or look like, and your comfort is the most important.
Go at your own pace.
One of the many advantages of eloping is the ability to throw the timeline out the window. Listen to your body, take it slow and take breaks when needed. While pacing can be frustrating sometimes, it’s much preferred to recovering from a flare in the middle of your wedding day.
Have a comfortable place to sit at each location.
Do some research to find out if there are picnic tables or benches at your location. Consider bringing a chair, hammock or blanket to sit on. My personal favorite that is often overlooked: if your car is clear of clutter in your middle seat section, you can often lay them flat and have some horizontal time in a parking lot.
Take your meds and hydrate.
If you’re anything like me and sometimes experience resistance to taking your meds, ask your partner to help encourage you in the morning and throughout the day. Do whatever else you usually would on any other day.
Communicate your needs throughout the day.
On your day, you’re around people who care deeply about you. Make sure to let them in on what’s happening so they can support you. This includes your partner, any guests and vendors. Remember that you’re not alone and people want you to feel good too!
You deserve the elopement of your dreams.
If you’re dreaming of eloping but you’re not sure if you’ll be able to handle it without sending yourself into a flare, know that there are things within your control that can make an elopement possible. You deserve the wedding day of your dreams, and there are ways to make that happen while avoiding triggers and minimizing flares. If you’d like help planning from someone who gets it, reach out for a free consultation.
When I first developed POTS, I was scared I’d never be able to go on my favorite mountain trails again. And as an elopement photographer, I was scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my couples. But I’m here a year and some change later to tell you that those things are possible. With mobility aids, medication, exercise and accommodations, I’m getting my life back and getting stronger every day. With my own personal travel and hiking adventures with POTS and my experience planning elopements, I wanted to share some tips to planning a POTS-friendly elopement. If you want to elope but are scared of triggering a POTS-flare, you’re in the right place.
How to Plan a POTS-Friendly Elopement
Instead of just pushing through your elopement day and inevitability causing a flare, there are things we can do to customize an elopement experience to reduce triggers. The goal is to create a day that fully celebrates your love and makes you feel good physically too.
Plan to arrive a few days early.
If you’re eloping more than an hour or two away from where you live, I strongly recommend staying closer to your elopement location for at least the night before and the day after. If you’re travelling from further away, I recommend arriving two or three days early to recover from travel and letting your body acclimatize to your new location. This is especially a good idea if you’re flying from out of state or if you’re eloping in a climate that’s drastically different to where you live (ie you live at sea level and you’re eloping in the mountains). Let’s start your elopement day feeling your best instead of already mildly (or majorly) flared.
Plan to stay at your destination a few days after.
The same goes on the other side of your day. No matter how you plan to accommodate and pace yourself on your day, naturally there’s going to be adrenaline from getting married! Give yourself at least a day after your elopement to relax and recover from your adventure. This can also be great quality time for you and your partner to soak up the “just married” feels.
Avoid crowded locations when possible.
Honestly, crowds are never not stressful, and stress can trigger flares. If you’re eloping at a popular location, I strongly recommend choosing a weekday, early in the morning or a shoulder season for the most relaxing version of that spot. Plus, that means you get more privacy on your wedding day.
Know yourself and your abilities.
Your elopement day doesn’t have to feature a 6-mile hike to be considered an elopement, and it doesn’t have to be a 12-hour non-stop event. You can focus on accessible locations, relaxing activities, or even split up your celebration into two shorter days. Ask yourself what would feel best for you, and stick with that. Because that will let you turn the focus from “making it through” the day to actually celebrating your relationship with your partner.
How to Prepare for your Elopement with POTS
We’re all on our own journey with POTS maintenance and recovery. You know your body best, and I am not a medical professional in any sense of the term. I want to share what has made the biggest difference in my own experience preparing for hikes or long days, but please consult your doctor before changing any of your own practices.
Start with building muscle.
Did you know that it’s harder for blood to pool in muscle? That means the more muscle you have, the better circulation (a big generalization but go with me here). And better circulation (and less blood pooling) helps you tolerate more cardio in the long run. Be sure to do your research for your body type, but here are some basics for building muscle.
If you’re able to, give weight lifting a try. You can start with machines or body-weight exercises until you’re confident and consider hiring a personal trainer to help make sure your form is good. Then once you feel like you have a solid base, lift heavy. This means pushing within a few reps of failure. Again, consider hiring a personal trainer and always consult your doctor before following a stranger’s advice on the internet. Only you know your boundaries and limitations, but resistance training truly changed my life for the better.
Two other important items when it comes to building muscle: protein and rest. I know protein is kinda a fad these days, but it is really important for building muscle. If you’re not into calorie counting or meal tracking (me too), just try to focus on eating more protein-dense foods like beans, tofu, whole grains, dairy and meat. Or you could add a protein powder into your diet. Getting enough good-quality sleep is as important as anything else in building muscle too. If you struggle with insomnia, try creating a night-time routine and prioritize rest (even if it’s not sleep).
Follow CHOP protocol for cardio tolerance.
CHOP protocol is an exercise program developed by Dr. Jeffrey Brois specifically to gradually increase stamina in people with POTS. It focuses on horizontal exercises to start with (think: swimming, rowing or recumbent biking) and then transitions to upright exercises (think: walking or elliptical training). A lot of people have had great results following this protocol. Again, be sure to do your own research and talk to your doctors.
Prioritize rest and hydration as you approach your elopement date.
A week or two before your elopement date, lay off the training and focus on getting really solid rest. Try to prioritize your sleep and keep daily activity pretty mellow. Be sure to start hydrating extra about a week (or at the very least, 3 days before) your travel or elopement date.
POTS Travel Tips
If you’re flying to your elopement destination and are nervous about the trip, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of potentially triggering things about flying – standing in line in the airport, limited seating, and then being stationary for hours with pressure changes on the plane. I was a nervous wreck on my first trip after my diagnosis, but I found that my fears were worse than the actual experience. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve implemented from my personal experience traveling with POTS.
- Make sure to refill prescriptions before your trip and take extra doses with you just in case.
- Consider using a cane, rollator or wheelchair in the airport. This can help reduce fatigue, and it makes your disability visible. As much as invisible disabilities are still valid and real, I’ve found that using a cane can act as a visual cue for airport staff to help me. I’ve experienced much more support (ie priority security line, early boarding, etc.) while using my cane vs. not.
- While standing in line, shift your weight from foot to foot or walk in place to keep blood flowing. While sitting on the airplane, move your ankles and try to stretch every hour or so.
- Bring multiple kinds of snacks (salty, sweet, savory, etc) to have something to look forward to so you’re not just dreading the whole experience.
- Hydrate heavily the day before and take electrolytes before your flight and refill your water bottle before boarding the plane.
- Board early if you can to avoid standing in the line during boarding.
- Book a window seat (if getting up is a trigger) or an aisle seat (if you’re drinking a lot of water and will have to use the restroom mid-flight).
- Consider wearing a mask to protect against getting sick. The last thing you need on top of a potential flare is a cold.
- Wear layers. Planes can be both burning hot and freezing cold within the same flight, so be prepared for both. Wear something light underneath a sweatshirt and bring a handheld fan.
- If you’re driving to the airport, stock your car with extra water and snacks for your return.
Remember this when you’re traveling – there are people there to help you! Don’t be afraid to ask for help if it would make your experience better. You don’t have to be on the verge of passing out to ask for a chair.
How to Enjoy your Elopement Day with POTS
The whole point of doing all this planning and preparation is so you can focus on enjoying your day. There are some things you can do on your elopement day to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Wear compression under your wedding attire.
Skin-toned leggings or shape wear can be a good alternative to traditional compression wear and doesn’t show through your attire. Another option is to just rock it! Wear those compression socks with the yellow stripes! There are no rules for what you need to wear or look like, and your comfort is the most important.
Go at your own pace.
One of the many advantages of eloping is the ability to throw the timeline out the window. Listen to your body, take it slow and take breaks when needed. While pacing can be frustrating sometimes, it’s much preferred to recovering from a flare in the middle of your wedding day.
Have a comfortable place to sit at each location.
Do some research to find out if there are picnic tables or benches at your location. Consider bringing a chair, hammock or blanket to sit on. My personal favorite that is often overlooked: if your car is clear of clutter in your middle seat section, you can often lay them flat and have some horizontal time in a parking lot.
Take your meds and hydrate.
If you’re anything like me and sometimes experience resistance to taking your meds, ask your partner to help encourage you in the morning and throughout the day. Do whatever else you usually would on any other day.
Communicate your needs throughout the day.
On your day, you’re around people who care deeply about you. Make sure to let them in on what’s happening so they can support you. This includes your partner, any guests and vendors. Remember that you’re not alone and people want you to feel good too!
You deserve the elopement of your dreams.
If you’re dreaming of eloping but you’re not sure if you’ll be able to handle it without sending yourself into a flare, know that there are things within your control that can make an elopement possible. You deserve the wedding day of your dreams, and there are ways to make that happen while avoiding triggers and minimizing flares. If you’d like help planning from someone who gets it, reach out for a free consultation.
