Living with an autoimmune condition can affect more than just your health, but how plan your day, where you go, how you travel and navigate public spaces. Perhaps you are wondering about flying with a service dog or how to manage your fatigue during a family outing – these are important questions and you’re not alone in asking them. Simple adjustments like pacing activities, using mobility aids, or building in rest breaks can help you stay active and comfortable while protecting your energy, so these small decisions can give you more independence and create less stress for you.
Resources
Self-Care Pillars
Everyday Adjustments
Public Spaces
Public spaces aren’t always designed with invisible illness in mind, and it makes things tricky. From accessible seating to temperature changes that trigger symptoms, and a little planning can go a long way. Don’t hesitate to ask for accommodations, whether it’s a quiet space, a seat near an exit, or time to rest – your comfort matters. For many people living with autoimmune or chronic conditions, the extra effort and stress involved in going out can sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to missed events and social withdrawal. Over time, this can increase the risk of isolation and impact mental wellbeing, highlighting just how important inclusive, accessible environments are for everyone’s health and sense of belonging.
Supportive Routines
Sometimes, it’s the small, practical questions that make the biggest difference. Creating a rhythm that fits your body, from how you structure your mornings to how you wind down at night, can help reduce flare-ups and improve wellbeing. Routines can provide a sense of control when symptoms feel unpredictable, giving your body the consistency it needs to heal. Think of them as gentle anchors: scheduling rest, balanced meals, movement, and downtime not as rules, but as acts of self-care. Over time, these habits become your safety net, helping you feel steadier, calmer, and more in tune with what your body needs.
The Balancing Act
Balancing work, study, or family commitments while managing a chronic or autoimmune condition can be one of the toughest challenges. Fatigue, pain, or brain fog can make even small tasks feel bigger than they are. Being open (when you feel comfortable) with your employer or colleagues about your needs can help you set realistic expectations and access flexible arrangements, like adjusted hours, remote work, or regular breaks. Remember, advocating for yourself isn’t a sign of weakness but a way of protecting your health, so you can keep showing up sustainably in all areas of your life.
Practical Resources
Autoimmune Conditions – Importance of Education and Preparing for your Consultation
When you finally have an appointment with a medical specialist for your Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), preparing for your appointment is necessary. This involves gathering detailed medical records, documenting specific symptoms, and preparing a list of your medications. Because RA is a chronic, fluctuating condition, providing concrete data can help your specialist make an accurate diagnosis and tailor treatment to your specific needs.
Autoimmune Conditions: How to get a timely specialist appointment
Securing a timely appointment with a rheumatologist for suspected or confirmed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires a proactive, strategic approach due to high demand for these specialists. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preventing long-term joint damage, so acting quickly is essential.
MyFlareUp ‘Pillars of Self-Care’ overview and Self-Reflection
Self-reflection is key when managing the physical and emotional challenges of having an autoimmune condition. Here's how lifestyle factors can play a role.
Ever wondered about Service Dogs?
Ever wondered what goes into training and choosing a service dog? Erin's story and Lexi's charm bring it to life in a few minutes. Erin, living with Multiple Sclerosis, shares why she chose a service dog and introduces us to Lexi, the four-legged partner who’s changed her everyday life.
How does My Numbers Tool work?
After MyFlareUp's research project with Community and Patient Preference Research (CaPPRe) in 2024 found some alarming stats, we needed to explore why so many people in the autoimmune community today still continued to have severe symptoms, despite there being new treatment options available. We discovered that of the participants surveyed, 45% of them knew nothing about biologics and 56% of them knew nothing about JAKi’s, and 34% of participants were on the same medications and dosages over the past year, despite them reporting moderate to high disease burden. We also found that 52% of participants believed there were no further treatment options available to them, other than what they'd used before.
The Carer’s Support Corner
Caring for someone living with an autoimmune condition is a deeply human act — one that often happens quietly in the background of daily life. Whether you’re supporting a partner, family member, or friend, your role matters more than you may realise.
Travelling with Disabilities
Julie Jones, is a disability advocate with a background in the travel industry. When her son was born with Cerebral Palsy, Julie realised the big gap that existed in available information for people with disabilities that wanted to travel. The information when found was either conflicting, or only catered to a specific disability, whereas in reality many disabilities were also invisible – and not all disabilities of the same condition had the same needs.
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Want to be our next speaker?
Whether you want to share what you’ve personally learnt or if you are knowledgeable in a particular area – we would love to hear from you. This could be around maintaining physical, emotional or psychological health. It could be your experience with certain treatments or simply what’s worked for you. Complete the form with a brief description and someone will be in touch with you shortly.
