Travel & Thrive: Tips for Feeling Calm and Confident on the Go

Travel & Thrive: Tips for Feeling Calm and Confident on the Go

The numerous benefits of traveling can make the decision to plan your own trip this summer a no-brainer.

Traveling can be a lot of fun. It is a great way to broaden your perspective, to build confidence, and strengthen your sense of independence. Summer is often a popular time of year to take a vacation, for a few reasons. Of course, one reason is that school is out for those with children, or who are themselves enrolled in a program.

Another is this being an ideal time for giving yourself a break mid-year after months of non-stop productivity and obligations for work.

Summer tends to bring with it a more laid-back, carefree vibe. I hope that you’re allowing yourself the opportunity to tap into that feeling!

 

Let’s pretend for a minute that you’ve caught the travel bug. Your suitcase is packed, your flights are booked, and your faraway accommodations are secured. Once you finally reach your destination, you feel a sense of relief and are ready for your adventure.

Now, let’s say that you’re a day or so into your trip and your mood begins to shift. 

What happens when you're thousands of miles away from home, and you start to feel sad? Or, the plans that seemed like such a good idea before, begin to feel overwhelming?

So much when you’re visiting a different city or country can be unfamiliar- the scents, the sounds, the tastes, the people. Not knowing your way around, or knowing the language or culture firsthand can be disorienting. 

Maybe it’s simply just the feeling of missing your own bed or routine.

 

Although homesickness is common and totally normal, there are things you can do while you’re in the air or on the road this summer, or anytime you’re traveling, to help you navigate such feelings, and increase feelings of calm and being grounded.


3 Tips for Re-Centering While Traveling

Bring a piece of home with you on the go

Bring something that can soothe senses, and that can be used to ground you. A fuzzy pair of slippers. A bottle of pillow spray. A couple of bags of your favorite tea. These are ideas for items that can satisfy those sensory needs for something familiar.

Stay connected

Keep in touch with your people. Share pictures and videos as you go with loved ones as you go. Schedule a time everyday for a quick video or phone call. 

Stay consistent with your normal routine

Choose 1 part of your routine to continue while away. Whether it’s a morning workout or  journaling before bed, staying consistent with something you’re familiar with can be incredibly grounding.


Don’t let the fear of becoming home sick stop you from traveling. There are too many benefits, like discovering new parts of yourself, meeting new people, and making long-lasting memories.

I hope that these tips are helpful. If any of the tips in this post helped you feel more confident about traveling, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. Leave me a comment about what helped the most, or share your favorite travel win!  

As Always, Be Well!

Jessica Herd, LMHC-D

P.S.

If you need support unpacking everything you felt (or discovered) while you were away, I’d love to help! Schedule a therapy appointment with me for after your trip, and let’s talk about how you’ve grown from your experiences.

 

Resources:

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial “988”

Text Crisis Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741

The Reality of Dating with a Mental Health Condition

The Reality of Dating with a Mental Health Condition

0