“It depends on your disability and how physically active you are, but anyone in a wheelchair can take a trip to South Africa.”
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Having a health condition can sometimes make it harder to do fun activities. However, with a health condition, you can still do the same enjoyable things as your peers—sometimes with certain adjustments.
Going on holiday, a day out, going out with friends, or having a hobby—what should you consider if you have a health condition, and what are your options?
Leisure time with a vascular malformation: what’s possible and what should you avoid?
A vascular malformation can affect your daily life. Sometimes you need to consider what you should or shouldn’t do—but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything! Free time, sports, and travel are important for your health, social life, and enjoyment. Below are tips and guidelines to help you make choices.
Sports and exercise
Exercise is healthy: it keeps you fit, strengthens your muscles, and gives you energy. With a vascular malformation, it’s smart to make careful choices.
✅ Often safe:
Walking and cycling – easy to do and good for fitness.
Swimming – low impact on your joints and often comfortable due to water pressure.
Yoga and Pilates – improve flexibility and help with relaxation.
Fitness (light strength training) – safe as long as you avoid extreme pressure on the affected area.
⚠️ Be careful with:
Contact sports (like football, hockey, martial arts) – increased risk of bumps or injuries, which can be more dangerous with a malformation.
Heavy strength training – can increase blood vessel pressure.
Intensive endurance sports (like marathon running) – always check with your doctor first.
💡 Tip: Consult your doctor or physiotherapist to see which sport suits your situation. Sometimes adapted clubs or a coach can help you participate safely.
Travel and flying
Many young people want to explore the world. A vascular malformation doesn’t have to stop you, but there are things to consider.
✈️ Flying:
Air pressure and long periods of sitting can cause swelling or pain.
Wear compression socks or garments during long flights if prescribed.
Stand up regularly, walk around, and drink plenty of water. If walking is difficult, arrange wheelchair support at the airport. You can be among the first to board and go through immigration quickly using special assistance lanes.
On long flights, consider booking a seat with extra legroom (such as an exit row or economy comfort seat). Try to walk a little regularly, even if cabin crew are not always enthusiastic about it.
🌍 Traveling:
Be aware of medical facilities at your destination.
Always bring a medical certificate and any necessary medication.
Consider which activities are safe: diving, climbing, or extreme sports are usually not recommended.
Other leisure activities
Going out and festivals: usually fine, but watch out for alcohol and overheating in crowded spaces.
Hobbies like music, painting, or gaming: great for relaxation and low risk.
Volunteering: a fun way to help others and gain experience.
Making the best choices
Listen to your body: pain, swelling, or fatigue are signals to rest or stop.
Ask for advice: doctors, physiotherapists, and peers often know what works.
Stay positive: you may not be able to do everything your friends do, but there are always alternatives.
👉 Remember: a vascular malformation doesn’t have to limit your free time, as long as you make smart choices and pay attention to your body. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t—and discover new experiences!
Having a health condition can sometimes limit what you want to do or are able to do. This can affect your hobbies. Luckily, there are many different hobbies, and you can always find something that suits you! Here are some examples:
Blogging or vlogging
You can write a blog or create a vlog. Keep your followers updated on the latest trends, things that catch your attention, or even your life with a health condition. A blog is written, a vlog is a video.
Cooking
Maybe this isn’t the first hobby that comes to mind, but cooking can be really fun! Look online for interesting recipes and try them out at home.
Photography
Look for beautiful still lifes, landscapes, or take portraits. You can edit your photos on the computer to match your style.
Crafts
Knitting and crocheting aren’t just for older people! Crafts are becoming popular among young people too. Use colorful threads to make your own scarf or blanket.
Playing an instrument
Recorder, violin, guitar, piano… there are many instruments to choose from. You can learn by yourself or get help from a music teacher.
Walking a dog
You get outside, get some exercise, and your dog enjoys it too. All good reasons to take a dog for a walk. Don’t have a dog? Ask around if you can borrow one.
Gardening
Enjoy being outdoors while taking care of plants. You don’t have to redo the whole garden—start small with potted plants and flowers.
Drawing and painting
Create portraits, still lifes, or landscapes. There are endless things to draw or paint. Do it on your own or join a local class.
💡 Tip:
Joining a class or workshop is also a great way to meet new people who share your interests.
Going Out
Finally, you’re at the age to explore nightlife. Almost everyone wants to go out and experience clubs and bars. Which clubs are fun? What drinks are popular? Which clubs or bars suit you best? And what should you consider if you have a health condition?
Alcohol can significantly affect blood sugar levels for people with diabetes, so be careful.
If you have epilepsy, you may be sensitive to bright or flashing lights.
Clubs and Bars
Every club or bar is different—both in atmosphere and layout. Some have many stairs, while others are mainly on the ground floor. If you have mobility issues, check which venues are wheelchair accessible.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Medication
Alcohol is often part of parties. A beer, cocktail, or shot contains alcohol that might interfere with your medication or condition. You may be curious about experimenting with drugs, but these can also affect your medication or cause dangerous side effects related to your condition.
If you are thinking about drinking alcohol or experimenting with drugs, consult your doctor first. You can also check resources like Drugcocktails to understand the risks and avoid unexpected problems. Always make sure that people around you know about your medication or condition so they can help if something goes wrong.
Festivals
Some festivals last a day, while others go on for multiple days and may involve camping. Festivals can be indoor or outdoor. Examples include Songbird, Awakenings, Kingsland, and Lowlands.
Every festival is different in terms of available facilities. Most festivals list these on their website, so check in advance whether you can bring your own food and if there are accessible toilets. If you have questions, contact the festival organizers.
There is always a help station with nurses and first aid facilities. If you need to take medication during the festival, bring a note from your doctor just in case.
A Day Out with Family or Friends
Going out with family or friends is of course fun, but it can also be challenging if you have a health condition. What might you encounter, and how can you deal with it?
Plan Ahead
It’s important to organize your trip to your destination carefully. For more information about transportation to and from your destination, see the Transportation section. It’s also helpful to check in advance whether the location is wheelchair accessible and whether there are easily reachable toilets. Sometimes it’s possible to borrow a wheelchair on-site.
Planning a Vacation
Are you planning a vacation soon? Having a health condition may require you to consider more factors than other people. For example, you need to check in advance whether the hotel or apartment is suitable for you—like whether it is wheelchair accessible. How do you handle taking your medication on a plane or traveling abroad?
There are different ways to go on vacation. You can travel independently, but there are also group trips organized specifically for people with health conditions.
TIPS
Make sure to include enough rest during your vacation.
Bring extra painkillers (if flying, don’t forget your medical passport and doctor’s note!).
If you have less energy or reduced muscle strength, pay attention to the sea current—it can be stronger than you think.
Ensure you have enough relaxation (vacation should be fun!).
If you plan to fly, request assistance from your airline in advance.
Independent Travel
For independent vacations with a health condition, you can check out special websites and search for a variety of holidays and let you search for features like a pool lift, wheelchair-accessible apartment, or wheelchair-adapted transfer. This way, you can always find a vacation that suits you.
Group Trips (few examples)
Sailing
Looking for a challenge? Sailing trips specifically organized for people with a health condition might be perfect for you.
