Mental Health Awareness Week: How to manage depression and anxiety while traveling.
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Traveling is bittersweet for me as I have struggled with mild depression and anxiety for many years. Lost luggage, transport delays, navigating in unfamiliar surroundings…risks and hurdles can be triggers, especially for less resilient people like me.
From severe homesickness in Sarajevo to anxiety in Azerbaijan, I've had some very low moments in my nearly 30 years of traveling the world.
But despite these pitfalls, traveling can also be a source of great joy. Visiting more than 55 countries, from a rite-of-passage summer in Salamanca (where my Spanish and confidence skyrocketed) to an eye-opening festival in India (complete with coconuts and a group of sacred naked men) My travels have been truly enriching. my life. It's refreshing and resetting, thrilling and wonderful, but it can also often be a saving grace.
So, in light of the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK (May 13-19), I'd like to share some tips I've discovered about managing your mental health while traveling.
Medication mistakes can ruin your trip – I learned the hard way
Ten years ago, my parents invited me on a wonderful trip to New Zealand. Naturally, I jumped at the chance.
But unfortunately, I made a huge mistake. Just before this once-in-a-lifetime trip, I went off the antidepressants I had been taking since I was a teenager. My mild anxiety and depression seemed to improve, and I was only on a small amount of medication anyway, and I gradually weaned it off on my doctor's advice. Are you sure I'm okay? mistaken.
As soon as I arrived in Singapore (a stopover on my outbound flight), I had a panic attack, made worse by the time difference and new environment. I spent the holidays suffering from erratic mood swings and persistent feelings of fear. That was very unfortunate. This was especially true for my parents, who were kind enough to invite me.
Lesson learned: No matter how confident you are, avoid making any major medication changes right before discharge. Other tips include finding out how to get to your destination's medical facilities and being aware of the relevant regulations. For example, certain countries require a doctor's letter to purchase prescription drugs.
Always disclose any medical conditions covered by your travel insurance (although some insurance companies allow you to choose not to cover your medical condition if you don't think it's necessary).
How to reduce anxiety while traveling
Do you get anxious easily? Create a contingency plan to reduce the risk of stressful situations. No more booking airport layovers of less than 90 minutes in case your previous flight was delayed. I also pre-download tons of escapist entertainment to make the wait bearable.
Group tours are also something to consider if you're traveling alone or are worried about logistics, but make sure the format works for you. I found a satisfying medium in options like Intrepid's “Original” trips and G Adventures' “Classic” trips. They attract a wide range of like-minded travelers through a combination of comfortable accommodations, cultural inclusion and downtime.
Maximum group size is usually 16 people, and my companions range from a 20-something European to a middle-aged Australian to a lively Canadian couple in their 70s. I also pay one extra charge because I think my space is very valuable.
One final piece of advice if you're suffering from post-travel blues – plan a reward for when you get home, like a day trip or a meal out. If you can afford it, book a day or two off from work so you can ease back into your daily routine.
How to make your trip more meaningful
I've had countless fulfilling travel adventures, including bungee jumping through the valleys of Nepal, spending time with yak herders in China, and exploring fairytale cities in Europe. Some helped me understand my life at home.
However, traveling can be tiring and disappointing. In an age where so much is already known and there is endless content telling us what to see and do, it can be easy to lose curiosity and purpose, which can affect our well-being.
I enjoyed reading Stephen W. Block's Hidden Travel and found useful tips to make your trip more meaningful, from connecting with locals to stepping outside your comfort zone. One of my favorite suggestions: Have a goal, whether it's finding Art Nouveau treasures in Riga or improving your Spanish in Mexico.
In addition to improving your mental health in general, things like talking to a friend, writing in a journal, or meditating for a few minutes can also help you find greater meaning in your experiences. If you have the courage, a “digital detox” may also be effective.
How to manage your expectations while traveling
I love the harsh opinions expressed by author Alain de Botton in his book The Art of Travel. “When we travel, we take ourselves with us.” Your partner's dirty habits will definitely still bother you, and unresolved work issues will still bother you.
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Add to that all the boring (and sometimes stressful) minutiae of traveling, from long waits at the baggage carousel to the mundane suburbs of postcard towns, and those curated Instagram feeds. It is clear that these colorful travelogues do not tell the story of the people. Complete story.
As I've discovered for myself, traveling can be escapist and can often spark moments of great joy and wonder. But like life in general, there are many boring moments among the highlights. So try to be positive yet realistic. Manage your expectations accordingly, avoid comparisons to impossible ideals, and expect that things won't always go as planned.
Please take care of your physical health as well.
A solid mindset and sense of meaning are very good, but they are difficult to maintain if you are not in good health. Once, due to not drinking much water in hot weather, I became so dehydrated that I had to take several liters of water, hydrating salts, and take a long rest to recover. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty bad until the headache and fatigue changed.
From activities and time zones to cuisine and climate, your usual surroundings can change dramatically when you're out and about. Most of us know that we need to be sensible about specific advice about where we go, such as getting certain vaccines or giving up tap water, but the usual health advice You may have forgotten that it also applies.
Fresh air, exercise, healthy eating and drinking, and regular sleep patterns – all of these promote physical and mental health no matter where you are in the world.
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