Traveling can be a great way to boost mental health for many people. It can be a means to escape the stressors of daily life and a great way to rest and relax. For others, however, a change in routine and a different environment can cause stress and aggravate conditions like anxiety and depression. As summer rolls around and more and more people begin to pack their suitcases, anxieties surrounding traveling can get worse.
But remember, the stress brought on by traveling should not be a reason to avoid it altogether. There are many ways to manage anxiety and stress that may be elevated due to travel. As one of the leading mental health providers in Maryland, we have outlined how traveling can impact your mental health – as well as some tips and tricks to make the most of your vacation!
How Can Travel Impact Your Mental Health
Traveling offers the opportunity to experience new environments and new cultures – and to meet new people. It can be life-changing and may encourage mindfulness and reflection. In fact, many of the benefits of travel mirror the goals of psychotherapy practiced at our Maryland Wellness Center. By promoting personal growth and improving quality of life, travel can actually enhance the effects of psychotherapy.
Additionally, group travel can be a great way to spend time with friends and family. Social isolation can be one of the leading causes of mood disorders, so strengthening bonds with loved ones can be a great way to keep symptoms at bay. Whether you prefer relaxing quality time or exploring a new place, traveling can be an extremely rewarding experience.
However, there can be some cons to traveling when it comes to mental health. The stress of planning a trip and fear of things going wrong while traveling can create a lot of anxiety for some people. For those who crave routine, being in a completely different environment can be a stressful experience.
How travel may cause or alleviate stress or anxiety varies from person to person. Identifying the causes of this stress can be the first step in working around it. Therapy can be a great place to start. Does therapy help anxiety? Yes! Working with a therapist can help pinpoint where your travel anxieties may originate and provide strategies regarding how to quell them.
6 Tips to Thrive During Your Travels
Check out these tips from some of the best therapists in Maryland, who share these pieces of advice to help clients make the most of their vacations.
#1: Make an Itinerary
Traveling to a new place, where you are surrounded by new people and possibly a new language, can be a scary experience for anyone. This puts many people out of their comfort zone, and for some, the anxiety at the thought of this new experience can be too much. However, planning your day out carefully to outline where you will go, what you will do, and where you may eat can be a way to take control of what can feel like an out-of-control situation.
#2: Meet With a Therapist in Advance
To treat your chronic anxiety in the long-term, meeting with a therapist is a proven way to lessen the severity of symptoms. Some people are skeptical, asking, “Does therapy help anxiety?” In fact, anxiety therapy has been scientifically proven to be the most effective treatment for the disorder. Therapists can help you work through your fears surrounding traveling and may prescribe medication to treat the causes of mood disorders like anxiety.
#3: Use Online Therapy Providers
There are many groups offering anxiety therapy and therapy for depression online. For many, the fear of losing access to their therapist can provoke stress, but in the modern world, you never need to be disconnected. To make access easy, our Baltimore therapy group provides a therapy appointment patient portal for easy online access around the clock.
#4: Establish a Routine
While traveling, your day may be much busier and full of more new experiences than you would typically see at home. It is normal to enjoy a routine, and deviating from it can be stressful. As some of the leading mental health providers in Maryland, we have noticed clients who establish healthy routines have better sleep, find it easier to manage anxiety, and feel more in control.
To help reduce anxiety around traveling, it can be helpful to integrate some aspects of your home routine into your schedule while traveling. Whether it is waking up at a certain time, having a balanced breakfast, or taking an evening walk, establishing a routine can be comforting in a new place.
#5: Maintain Your Medication Schedule
If you are taking any medications, it is important to prepare for a vacation by refilling your prescriptions in advance and packing them to take with you when you go. And of course, continue taking your medication as prescribed while you are on vacation. It is not advisable to miss taking your prescription medication for multiple days in a row, so it is crucial to ensure you are prepared for your trip with good medication management habits. For support with your medication management, contact your behavioral health provider.
#6: Practice Healthy Habits
One of the main goals of psychotherapy is to establish healthy habits like stress management – and carrying these habits along with you while traveling can be crucial in reducing anxiety. Practicing habits such as exercise, eating a whole food diet, and taking time for something you enjoy can improve your trip. Our Maryland Wellness Center can help you establish these habits and incorporate them into your lifestyle.
Find Support When and Where You Need It
Traveling is an incredible experience and can greatly expand your worldview. Its effects can be invaluable in improving and sustaining your mental health. However, as a new experience, it can be daunting for some people struggling with pre-existing mood disorders or general anxiety surrounding something novel.
Working with a licensed behavioral health provider can be one of the most effective ways to treat most mental health concerns. As a Baltimore therapy group, we offer a variety of mental health services and can provide support for you at every step of the way. As some of the best therapists in Maryland, we are available in person and from your laptop through our therapy appointment patient portal. We provide support for depression online as well as anxiety and other mental health concerns to remain easily accessible even during your travels.
Don’t let your fears surrounding traveling get in the way of living life to its fullest! Book an appointment with Triumph Behavioral Health today to begin your journey of bettering your mental health.