How to handle your mental wellbeing while you travel
Transparently, I have struggled with mental health for a majority of my life. Having been diagnosed with anxiety and depression while still in school, I’ve spent a lot of time learning how to manage it. While traveling brings me joy, it doesn’t just erase those diagnoses.
Even without a diagnosis, it’s important to be able to manage your mental health. It’s especially important in a foreign place, and even more so if you’re solo traveling. Often traveling takes you to new time zones, climates, and other elements that could affect you physically. Physical exhaustion can lead to mental symptoms as well.
Below are just a few ways I take care of myself when I’m traveling. These apply regardless of destination and I hope they help you as well.
Schedule relaxation time.
It’s incredibly easy when traveling to want to see and do everything at your destination. I am often guilty of this myself. I try to maximize my days and stretch myself thin. Something that I’ve had to learn to do is schedule in time for relaxation.
Sometimes, this is as simple as going to a cafe and people watching. Other times, it’s ensuring I’m in bed with my book at a reasonable hour if I have an early morning. When my friend and I travel together, we have “rot time” where we decompress at the end of the day with our own books or on socials for a little before dinner or bed.
I’ve found that it’s really important to plan for this time. If you don’t, you’ll likely find yourself exhausted far too quickly. That exhaustion can really affect your mental state.
Eat well.
I’m someone who loves trying to eat like a local when traveling. Food is often a primary motivator for selecting a destination. Who doesn’t want to eat all the gelato in Italy?
On the opposite side of that, it’s easy to grab quick snacks or not eat proper meals if you have a busy day. Unfortunately, when you aren’t eating well, your body tires more easily.
Aside from making sure I eat meals, I also try to balance what I eat. As someone with a sensitive stomach, I try to avoid only eating unfamiliar foods. If I’m not feeling well physically, I know it’ll affect me mentally.
Stay hydrated.
Similar to eating well, it’s important to stay hydrated. Again, this helps reduce physical exhaustion that can lead to mental health decline. Make sure you are hydrating throughout the day, even if you don’t necessarily feel thirsty.
Take any prescription meds.
Keeping your medication routine is vital to maintaining your mental health. Even when you’re traveling, keep up with taking your medications on time each day. A shift in keeping up with most meds can have detrimental effects. Set an alarm or put your meds for the trip in one spot you’ll go to daily.
Keep a routine.
At home, I’ve been managing my self care with an app called Finch. It consists of a check-list with reminders to do things such as making my bed and taking my medication. When I’m traveling, I try to maintain those same routines consistently as they apply.
You are not alone.
Regardless of how you manage your mental health, know that you are not alone if you are struggling. It’s okay to not be okay 100% of the time. Even if you love traveling and having new experiences, it’s normal to have moments of anxiety or other mental struggles. Take care of yourself as best as you can. Not every solution fits for every person, but try to stick with the basics that work for you.
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