Navigating Mental Health While Travelling: Personal Insights and Tips

By Ivan PetrenkoMay 13, 2024 20:30 PMNews
Share:
Man beside white frame window
Man beside white frame window. Source: unsplash

Travel presents a unique set of challenges for those of us dealing with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The joy of exploring new places comes with its own stresses—from navigating unfamiliar environments to dealing with the unexpected. With Mental Health Awareness Week around the corner, here are some personal strategies I’ve developed over the years to manage mental health on the road.

Pre-Travel Preparations: A Key to Stability

One crucial lesson I’ve learned is the importance of maintaining a consistent medication routine. A significant change right before a trip, like discontinuing antidepressants I had used for years, led to a challenging experience in New Zealand marked by panic attacks and mood swings. To mitigate such issues, I now ensure any major changes to my medication are well-tested before I travel. It's also vital to know how to access medical facilities at your destination and understand the local laws concerning prescription medications.

Reducing Anxiety Through Thoughtful Planning

To lessen travel-related anxiety, I've refined my approach over the years:

  • Allow Ample Connection Time: I never book a layover shorter than 90 minutes to avoid the stress of rushing through an airport.
  • Prepare Entertainment: Downloading movies, books, or music helps make any waiting times or delays more bearable.
  • Choose the Right Travel Group: For solo trips, I opt for small group tours that provide a balance of structured activities and free time, which alleviates the stress of planning and ensures some company.

Post-Trip Strategies: Avoiding the Blues

The end of a trip can often bring a sense of loss or sadness. To combat this, I plan a small treat for myself like a day trip or a nice dinner upon return, and if possible, I take an extra day off work to ease back into my routine.

Finding Deeper Meaning in Travel

Travel can sometimes feel superficial in an age where every destination has been Instagrammed a thousand times. To counteract this, I try to engage more deeply with each location:

  • Set a Goal: This could be as simple as learning a few phrases in the local language or understanding a city's architectural style.
  • Digital Detox: Periodically disconnecting from electronic devices helps me engage more fully with my surroundings.

Managing Expectations

Inspired by Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel, I’ve learned to accept that travel isn’t always a series of perfect moments. The mundane aspects of travel are real, and things do not always go according to plan. Embracing this reality helps manage my expectations and reduces disappointment.

Physical Health is Mental Health

Finally, maintaining physical health is crucial. Simple things like staying hydrated, eating well, and keeping to a sleep schedule are vital. On one trip, dehydration exacerbated my anxiety until I took the time to properly rehydrate and rest.

Traveling with depression and anxiety isn’t always easy, but with the right preparations and mindset, it can still be incredibly rewarding. These personal strategies have helped me turn potential breakdowns into breakthroughs, making my travel experiences enriching and therapeutic.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Empty airport seating area with view of terminal and aircraft in the background

Munich Airport Launches Summer Routes Expanding Global Access

Mar 25, 2025 22:44 PM
Striped pillows on a neatly made hotel bed in a bright, modern room

IHG to Open First Garner Hotel in Edinburgh with Central Location and Low Rates

Mar 25, 2025 20:27 PM

AirAsia Expands Digital-Only Fare Access for ASEAN Travellers

Mar 25, 2025 18:31 PM

Widespread Strikes to Disrupt Travel Across Italy in April

Mar 25, 2025 16:46 PM
Emirates aircraft approaching runway during landing

Emirates Extra Eid Flights Ease Travel Rush for Middle East Passengers

Mar 25, 2025 14:29 PM
Person placing an Acer Chromebook into a leather travel bag beside a bed

VisitEngland Updates Website to Guide Travelers Better

Mar 25, 2025 12:32 PM
View of Japan Airlines aircraft through airplane window at airport

Japan Airlines Adds Baggage Same-Day Delivery at Two More Airports

Mar 24, 2025 17:26 PM
Man waiting at Nottingham Train Station with a travel bag

Advance Fares Boost Access to Nottinghamshire Destinations

Mar 24, 2025 15:38 PM
AirAsia aircraft taking off under a partly cloudy sky

AirAsia Adds New Routes for Thai Travellers

Mar 24, 2025 13:53 PM

Stricter U.S. Border Checks Alarm European Travelers

Mar 23, 2025 23:59 PM

Stricter Seat Rules May Hit Hawaii Flights

Mar 23, 2025 21:58 PM
Air Canada aircraft in flight against a partly cloudy sky

Air Canada Launches New Café for Domestic Travelers in Montréal

Mar 22, 2025 16:33 PM
Brussels Airlines aircraft landing on runway with smoke from tires

New Credit Cards Offer Tailored Benefits for Travellers in Belgium

Mar 22, 2025 14:46 PM
Railway worker repairing tracks during maintenance

Rail Closures to Disrupt Windsor Travel

Mar 22, 2025 12:27 PM
Spacious interior of Zurich Airport terminal with passengers seated near large glass windows

New European and North American Destinations from Zurich in 2025

Mar 22, 2025 10:31 AM

Hilton Announces Global Expansion for 2025

Mar 22, 2025 08:44 AM

Security Lane Upgrades at Liverpool Airport May Disrupt Travel Plans

Mar 22, 2025 06:29 AM
Busy Glasgow street with double-decker First Bus buses and historic architecture

Smart Travel Options Unveiled for Glasgow Matchday

Mar 22, 2025 04:32 AM
A historic stone archway in Cagliari, Sardinia, framing a scenic city view with palm trees and a lively square below

New Flight Routes Make Sardinia More Accessible for Travelers in 2025

Mar 21, 2025 23:35 PM
A close-up of a black British passport with a gold emblem on a white surface

British Travellers Urged to Check Passport Validity Rules Before Easter Holidays

Mar 21, 2025 21:44 PM
Burgas Airport departures terminal with travelers outside on a sunny day

Bulgarian Airports to Upgrade Landside Services

Mar 21, 2025 19:23 PM
A group of jockeys riding racehorses at full speed on a sandy racetrack, kicking up dust as they round a bend

Integrated Bus Service Enhances Travel to Scottish Grand National

Mar 21, 2025 17:34 PM

Air India and Air New Zealand Partner to Expand Travel Routes

Mar 21, 2025 15:46 PM

Hotels Turn to Personalization to Boost Rates

Mar 21, 2025 13:21 PM
A traveler with a suitcase walks through Hamad International Airport's modern terminal, featuring sleek architecture and spacious seating areas

Hamad International Airport Opens New Concourses to Ease Passenger Flow

Mar 21, 2025 11:36 AM
Emirates aircraft parked at Dubai International Airport during daytime

Emirates Expands A350 Network with New Destinations

Mar 20, 2025 22:38 PM