For most people, traveling to new places is a way to improve their mental health. But what happens when you’re traveling with mental health issues that you already have to face?
Ideally, traveling doesn’t make your mental health worse, but for nomads with mental health conditions, there are special things to consider as you travel. While some travelers can make last-minute decisions, others with anxiety, for instance, might be completely overwhelmed when things don’t go as intended.
This stress and strain can make traveling with mental health issues more complicated, and if you’re in a foreign place, getting the help you need can be a challenge.
Here are some tips for nomads who are traveling with mental health issues and who want to get ahead of the challenges they may face.
Things to Consider When Traveling With Mental Health Issues
Order Your Medications Early
The most important aspect of managing your wellness when traveling with mental health issues is staying on track with any prescribed medication.
If you’re on medications or supplements, it’s important that you don’t get caught somewhere without them. If you’re in a foreign country, it can be very difficult to find exactly what you need in the right dosing.
Try and get a long prescription before you leave your hometown. By ordering your medications early, you have more time to think about re-orders and getting them shipped in time to even the most remote locations.
For example, while you might be wondering how long the effects of Xanax last, it’s probably more important to find out how long it’ll take to get your medication mailed to you.
When traveling with mental health issues, it’s best not to get caught in a situation where you have only one days’ worth of your medication left. You’ll want to order at least a few weeks early.
Many doctors now offer telemedicine for their patients, so you might be able to get a renewed prescription ordered remotely. Or they can recommend alternatives that might be more accessible in your location.
Go Places You Know You Love
Sometimes it’s exciting to try a new place, but for those traveling with mental health issues such as those who are struggling with anxiety, the newness could be overwhelming. Not knowing where to live, work, and play can cause undue stress on certain individuals.
If you’re living the nomad life and you want to ease your stress, alternate between somewhere you know you’ll love and somewhere different, so you have a sense of peace around traveling. Living the nomad life should decrease stress, so if it’s adding more to yours, look at things you can do to make the experience more restful and give you peace.
When you go somewhere you love, there is a sense of comfort, rest, and safety that you won’t have when going somewhere completely new.