Enjoying Travel While Living With a Mental Health Condition

Vacation season is upon us, and for many, that means travel. These adventures can bring new and invigorating experiences. Yet, for individuals with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, travel can sometimes also be a trigger.

Research on travel in individuals living with mood disorders has found that traveling westward can sometimes be linked to manic/hypomanic mood episodes while traveling eastward has been linked to depression (Inder et al., 2016). The mix of disrupted routines, changes to sleep schedule, and stress can be a perfect storm for challenges.

Still, many with mental health conditions travel each year without a problem. Being proactive can stack the odds in favor of a healthy and enjoyable trip.

Here are five strategies for maintaining your wellness as you travel.

1. Be Prepared With Your Medication and Coping Tools

If you take medication, make plans in advance as to how you will access it. Make sure you have enough to last throughout the trip. I have found Murphy's Law that everything that can go wrong will seems especially common on trips! Pharmacies can run out of certain medications and can be waiting on a backorder. Make sure you have your prescriptions together at least a week before leaving. You might also plan to bring with you certain items to assist with coping should mental health symptoms arise. Headphones, sunglasses, a journal, or a comfortable blanket can be a lifesaver in a pinch.

2. Have a Crisis Plan

Having a crisis plan is kind of like making a plan in case of a fire. I don't expect there to be a fire, but I always want to know where the fire exits are. Have a plan of how you might cope with potential triggers in the case of a crisis. For some, this might mean planning an extra way home if necessary. If you are traveling alone or with people you are less familiar with, be sure to have a medical ID with information on your condition, your needs, and an emergency contact.

3. Adjust Routines and Sleep Slowly

Most travel involves some changes to routine and sleep. If you can adjust these gradually, do it. Preserving downtime and prioritizing sleep is often key to maintaining wellness. This can also apply to sobriety. If alcohol is a trigger for you, make a plan for fun, alcohol-free drinks you can enjoy and how to handle temptations that could come up. Many people choose not to drink for a variety of reasons. Alcohol is not synonymous with having a good time.

4. Be Kind to Yourself and Communicate Your Needs

When we have needs specific to a health condition, it's easy to feel some sense of guilt. Don't let unwarranted guilt keep you from communicating your needs. Needs specific to a mental health condition such as preserving time for sleep or gaining a break in times of overwhelm are just as important as needs related to any other health condition, and nothing to be ashamed of.

5. Have Fun

Living with a mental health condition is not always fun. Still, there is no reason for it to keep us from having fun when we get the chance. Enjoy your trip!