Anxious traveler? Here’s how to protect your well-being on the road

As a long-time sufferer of mild depression and anxiety, I find travel bittersweet. Lost luggage, delayed transportation, navigating an unfamiliar environment, risks and obstacles can be especially triggering for those, like me, who are less resilient.

From the crippling nostalgia of Sarajevo to the angst in Azerbaijan, I’ve experienced some very low moments during nearly three decades of backpacking.

However, despite these pitfalls, travel has also been a great source of joy. From a rite of passage summer in Salamanca (where my Spanish and self-confidence soared) to an eye-opening festival in India (which includes coconuts and a bunch of naked holy men) , my travels to more than 55 countries have been truly enriching. my life. Refreshing and restorative, exciting and wonderful, they have often been, on the contrary, a saving grace.

So, in light of the upcoming UK Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), I’m sharing some tips I’ve discovered about managing mental health when travelling.

Medication errors can ruin a trip – I learned the hard way

Ten years ago, my parents invited me to join them on a fantastic trip to New Zealand. Unsurprisingly, I jumped at the chance.

Unfortunately, however, I made a mistake; Right before this trip of a lifetime, I came off the anti-depressants I had been taking since my teenage years. my mild anxiety and the depression seemed better, my dose was low anyway and I weaned off gradually as advised by the doctors. Are you sure it will be okay? bad

We had arrived so soon singapore (our departure stop) that I was having panic attacks, made worse by the time difference and new surroundings. I spent the holidays with erratic mood swings and a lingering sense of dread. It was a great pity, especially for my parents, who kindly invited me.

The lesson: Try to avoid major medication changes right before you leave, no matter how safe you feel. Other tips include checking how to access them medical facilities at your destination and be aware of relevant regulations; for example, some countries require a doctor’s letter for prescription drugs.

Always disclose any health conditions of yours travel insurance (although several insurers allow you to opt out of these if you don’t think it’s necessary).

How do I reduce anxiety while traveling?

Achieve anxious easily? Develop contingency plans to reduce the risk of stressful situations. I no longer book an airport connection of less than 90 minutes, in case of a delay with the previous flight, and I download a lot of escapist entertainment beforehand to make the wait more bearable.

Group visitsthey’re another consideration if you’re on your own and worried about logistics, though make sure the formats are right for you. I’ve found a happy medium in options like Intrepids Original and G Adventures Classic trips, which appeal to a wide range of like-minded travelers through comfortable accommodations and a mix of cultural inclusions and downtime.

Groups tend to be a maximum of 16 people, and my companions have ranged from Europeans in their twenties to middle-aged Australians and a lively Canadian couple in their seventies. I also pay a single supplement as my own space is priceless.

One last tip if you’re suffering from the post-travel blues: Plan a treat for after you return, perhaps a day trip or a meal out. If you have the luxury, reserve one or two days off work also, to help you return to daily life.

How to make the journey more meaningful

Bungee jumping over a Nepalese ravine, spending time with chinese yak herders, meandering europefairy tale cities I have had countless enriching travel adventures. Some have even helped me make sense of my own life at home.

That said, travel can also feel exhausting and disappointing. In an age where so much is already known, and there is endless content telling us what to see and do, it’s easy to lose curiosity and purpose, which in turn can affect well-being.

I enjoyed reading Stephen W Brocks Hidden Travel for helpful tips on how to make travel more rewarding, from connecting with locals to getting out of your comfort zone. One of my favorite suggestions? Have a goal, whether it’s looking for modernist treasures in Riga or brushing up on your Spanish in Mexico.

In addition to improving your overall mental health, things like talking to a friend, journaling, or meditating for a few minutes can also help you find greater meaning in your experiences. A digital detox it could also be beneficial, if you dare.

How I manage my expectations when I travel

I love author Alain de Bottons dry observation in his book The Art of Travel: that when we travel, we take with us. Your partner’s messy habits will no doubt still bother you, and that unresolved work issue will still worry you.

Add to that all the boring (and sometimes stressful) minutiae that travel entails, from the long wait at luggage carousel on the mundane outskirts of this postcard town, and of course those Instagram feeds and colorful travelogues don’t tell the full story.

As I found, travel can be escapist and often triggers moments of immense joy and wonder. But as with life in general, there is a lot of routine among the highlights. So try to be positive but pragmatic; manage your expectations accordingly, avoid comparisons with the impossible ideals and anticipate that things will not always go according to plan.

Also remember to take care of your physical health

Strong mindsets and a sense of meaning are all very well, but they’re hard to maintain if you’re not feeling well physically. Once, not drinking much when it was hot, I stayed cool dehydrated – something that required several liters of water, rehydration salts and a long rest to rectify. Needless to say, until my headache and fatigue changed, my mood was pretty poor.

Of the activities i time zones in cuisine and climate, going away can mean many variations in their usual surroundings. Most of us know to have specific advice about where we were going, whether that means getting certain vaccinations or diverting tap water, but we may forget that regular health advice also applies.

Fresh air, exercise, healthy food and drink, a regular to sleep pattern: all still improve physical and mental well-being, wherever you are in the world.