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8 Good Tips to Take Care of Your Mental Health During Travelling

     

    8 Good Tips to Take Care of Your Mental Health During Travelling

     

    Travelling might be challenging for those who have mental issues. According to statistics, one in four adults will have mental health issues at least once at some point, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up all the incredible experiences travel can provide. In fact, travel has positive effects on emotional and psychological well-being.

    Getting out of the comfort zone and exploring a new place is what you need to improve your emotional well-being. However, how to make a successful trip with mental issues? Let’s look at nine excellent tips that may help you.

    1. Bring things that remind you of home.

    Sometimes, travelling can make people with mental issues uncomfortable but bringing some things from home with you can make your trip easier emotionally. You can bring your pillow, shampoo, or your favorite book. 

    2. Sign up for a teletherapy service.

    If you have ever experienced an unexpected mental health crisis, then you are very likely to experience it during your travelling. However, signing up for online therapy portals (for instance, TalkSpace, Crisis Text Line, or BetterHelp) will be helpful for you. Find your teletherapist and do teletherapy appointments while you’re away if you think that you need it.

    3. Consider stress-relief options.

    Try to plan ahead for how you’ll handle issues like anxiety or panic attacks while travelling. If things like exercise, deep breathing, meditation, seeking support, listening to music, watching movies or serials, and journaling helped you at home, they will possibly help you during your trip. This goes for any tools you’re using to handle your anxiety. If you don’t know what will really work for you during the trip, try to bring a journal. It can be an excellent option. 

    4. Visit your health care provider before your trip.

    If you’re concerned about your mental health and don’t know how to manage your condition while travelling, take to your primary care physician or mental health practitioner. 

    Visiting your doctor will help you understand whether you’re mentally and physically ready for your future trip and to create a plan. 

    You have a big chance to talk about your anxieties and thoughts about the future trip and make sure you are able to cope with possible issues. You can also communicate with your doctor while travelling if you need it.

    5. Keep in touch with your loved ones.

    Keeping in touch with loved ones will make you more comfortable during travelling. Oftentimes, people think that during their depression, anxiety, or the wave of negative thoughts  it’s better not to “burden” close people. Actually, this is a very harmful thought. If you really need support and are feeling alone and sad right now, call your friend/parents/loved one. Keep in mind that there are people at home who miss you and are always waiting for you.

    6. Continue managing your mental health condition during travelling.

    If you’re planning a trip, you may want to take enough medication depending on the duration of your trip. However, you need to know that many meds used to manage mental health issues are considered controlled substances in some countries. Due to this fact it might not be possible to take enough medication to get you through. It’s wise to talk to your doctor to get some helpful information and to make sure your meds are available at your destination if you need it. 

    7. Learn more about your destination and make a plan in case of an emergency.

    This tip is particularly helpful for people with mental health issues who need to prepare in case they require help. Before your trip, you need to find a skilled and knowledgeable mental health specialist at your destination who can speak your language. You can do this through your insurance or through a nonprofit, for example, IAMAT. It would also be helpful to know what mental health services are available and the country’s cultural attitude toward mental illness and mental health. 

    8. Think about what to expect.

    It’s important to think about all the possible situations that might occur during your trip and understand how to prepare yourself for any trouble. However, try not to expect the worst and allow your thoughts to stress you out more.

    If you think your trip will be overwhelming and stressful, it possibly will be but If you think that your future trip is an adventure that might be full of exciting stories and helpful life lessons, this will possibly be true. 

     

     

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