Last updated July 12, 2024
Even if you’re super excited about your vacation, it can stir up anxiety. With these eight simple mental health tips, you can ditch the stress — feeling relaxed and ready to soak up every moment.
Vacations are supposed to be a mental health boost, and many of us get a thrill just from planning the next big trip. But sometimes, the excitement can morph into pressure, turning our much-anticipated getaway into a bundle of stress.
This is even tougher if you already struggle with stress or an anxiety disorder. Worrying about finding therapy abroad or handling panic attacks while away can add to your list of concerns.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. With some simple mental health tips you can preempt any anxieties and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
Eight Mental Health Tips for an Enjoyable Vacation
Vacations are meant to be a time of relaxation and adventure, but sometimes the excitement can turn into anxiety. Whether it’s worrying about work piling up, dealing with a panic attack far from home or sticking to a tight budget, travel can come with its own stressors.
But don’t let these concerns ruin your trip! With a few proactive steps, you can ensure your vacation is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Here are eight essential mental health tips to help you make the most of your vacation.
1. Connect with an online therapist before you leave
Connecting with an online therapist (or even travel coach) before your vacation gives you a chance to build a relationship that will be a source of comfort and security when you’re on vacation.
Talking to a therapist will also help you identify potential triggers and learn coping strategies so that you can better handle or prevent any mental health problems.
If you’re already taking mental health medications, talk to your doctor and ensure that you have enough meds for the duration of your trip and carry the necessary documentation to facilitate refills or medical assistance if needed. And if cost is an issue, consider using free online therapy services.
2. Be realistic with expectations but open to enjoying new experiences
Being realistic with expectations but open to enjoying new experiences on vacation is the key to reducing pressure and enjoying a sense of relaxation and fulfillment.
To achieve this, try to set flexible goals, embrace spontaneity and focus on the present moment rather than rigidly adhering to a pre-planned itinerary.
Allow yourself to explore and embrace whatever opportunities arise, balancing adventure with moments of rest. This will also help you better adjust to unforeseen events that may derail vacation plans.
3. Plan your work so that you won’t return to a backlog
One of the biggest sources of anxiety and stress for most people when on vacation, is the dread that they feel about returning to a huge backlog of work.
Research shows that this can ruin your vacation and greatly diminish the mental health benefits of vacationing. Try to plan your work, even putting in some extra time if necessary, so that most of the work that would pile up is taken care of before you leave.
4. Make contingency plans in case of an emergency
If you have a contingency plan before your vacation even begins, it provides peace of mind and helps alleviate anxiety, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time away. To plan, you can research local medical facilities, save emergency contact information and ensure you have access to the resources necessary for an emergency, such as medications or travel insurance.
5. Start practicing meditation and other relaxation techniques in advance
Practicing meditation and other relaxation techniques ahead of your vacation will help you build a foundation of mindfulness and stress management skills, which will come in handy on your vacation.
These mindfulness techniques will help cultivate a sense of calm and resilience, making it easier to cope with any potential stressors or challenges that may arise while on vacation. This will also enhance your ability to fully engage in and enjoy the present moment, maximizing the benefits of your vacation experience.
6. Set a realistic budget that leaves some room for flexibility
Set a realistic budget that gives you some leeway as this helps reduce financial stress and allows you to relax while on vacation. By planning and allocating funds for unexpected expenses or spontaneous activities, you can enjoy your time away without worrying about exceeding your budget or compromising your financial stability.
The practice will give you a sense of freedom while providing some control over expenditure so that you can still have peace of mind.
7. Exercise or stay active at your vacation destination
The benefits of regular exercise or physical activity do not pause when you’re on vacation, so make it a point to stay active. Physical activity is one of the best antidotes to stress, improving your mood and overall well-being. Physical activity is great for your mental health as it triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, that can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
8. Carry a stress relief kit
A stress relief kit is just as important as a first aid kit if you’re concerned about your mental health. To create a stress relief kit, consider including items like calming essential oils, stress balls or fidget toys, and a journal for writing down thoughts and feelings. You can also store soothing music on your phone or subscribe to a guided meditation app to help you de-stress and unwind.
Vacation Without Stress
Vacations should be a time for relaxation and joy, yet the pressure to have a perfect getaway can cause stress and anxiety, especially for those with existing mental health concerns.
Whether you’re worried about access to therapy abroad or how to handle unexpected panic attacks, these eight mental health tips will help you prepare for and fully enjoy your vacation.
From connecting with an online therapist and setting realistic expectations to staying active and packing a stress relief kit, we’ve got you covered for a smooth, stress-free travel experience.
About Vacayou
At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior. And that’s why we’re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you!
No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. However, the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We’ve made it much easier to search, discover, and book wellness and active vacations. With Vacayou’s Instant Book, your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away.
Start the trip of your lifetime today, with Vacayou. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.
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