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How could I be anything but happy in Paris?
Photo: Zoonar GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo
That fantasy didnt involve me being depressed or anxious.
But Merediths mental illnesses didnt take a break just so she could enjoy her vacation.
She had her firstpanic attackafter navigating crowds to climb the stairs to a lookout point at Sacre-Cur.
I was so thrown for the rest of the trip, she says.
Traveling can get overwhelming quite quickly, she says.
Its so, so normal to be overly optimistic about how your mental health will fare on vacation.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Your [condition] will likely come with you.
Heres what they had to say.
Create a stress-relief tool kit.
Its helpful to plan ahead for how youll deal with things liketravel anxiety.
it’s possible for you to keep it simple.
Make plans for checking in with loved ones.
double-check you have the right phone plan so you cancall, text, or FaceTime from wherever youre going.
Talk to your mental health care provider before you go.
On that note…
4.
Consider signing up for a teletherapy service.
Elisa D., 39, learned this lesson while traveling in Prague for three months.
She had an unexpected mental health crisis set off by the dourwinter weatherand social isolation.
Since returning from Prague, shes signed up forBetterHelp, an online therapy portal.
Armed with her teletherapist, Elisa continues to travel regularly.
Bring reminders of home with you.
According to Howes, the unfamiliarity of traveling can feel mentally disorienting for some people.
Bringing some familiar comforts from home with it’s possible for you to make a big difference.
Pushing the limits of [yourluggage] may be worth it if self-care is at stake.
Research your destination and have a plan in case of an emergency.
Thats exactly what she did, and it wasnt fun.
These factors can really shape the punch in of care that youll receive.
Take extra precautions if you manage a mental health condition with medication.
According to Westmacott, manymedicationsthat are used to manage mental health conditions are considered controlled substances in some countries.
In that case, your doctor may be able to help offer some information.
8. double-check your itinerary includes time for any necessary self-care.
It doesnt surprise me now that I had an anxiety meltdown, she says.
I can never be that busy in my day-to-day life without time to refuel.
Be honest with yourself about what to expect, but make a run at stay positive too.
Its always a great idea to prepare for the worst just in case.
Hopefully, that will put your mind at ease because you know youre prepared in case of trouble.
But try not toanticipatethe worst and let your preparation stress you out more.
