Traveling and Mental Health Hacks

Happy Saturday. Today we are talking about travel and mental health hacks. Regardless if you are back into the travel flow or now these hacks can  be applied to your everyday life as well. Remember May is Mental Health Awareness month. On this blog we talk about it daily in some form.

Travel Preparation

Often times half the battle is in how you prepare. If you know you have anxiety waiting to the last minute to pack may not work. Pack a week or more ahead of time. This way you can control the anxiety a little better. When I know where I am going I look at the weather patterns before hand during the time I am traveling. Pack for weather to be hotter and colder and have things like a poncho, umbrella etc. This is what I mean about preparing earlier. You don’t want to be in a situation where you feel unprepared in any way.

Invest in some packing cubes. I like the ones from Calpak because they are a little more sturdier than the cheaper ones at some of the competitors. Packing cubes allow you to be able to roll your items into the bag and make your suitcase a little more streamline including adding space too. This helps for people like me who want to pack more than they need. Many trips I have had the opportunity to do that and it allowed me to have just one carry on. This weekend I packed a little heavier but it allowed me a lot of space to bring items back too. Also if you don’t want the headache of checking a bag-do a carry on. For me depending on the airport I will check my bags. For the best bag, use Away. It’s sturdy, dependable, and has a lifetime guarantee.

Essential Travel Packing

Be clear on what you need. This means this isn’t about packing the essentials that a friend or more needs. What are your non negotiables. For me my Calmigo is an essential. It’s a device that works with your breathing to help regulate you in times of stress. Also disinfectant wipes are essential. Do not rely on the aircraft to be clean. I wipe down seats, and trays. Anything that was touched or possibly touched by a person before me. I did this before the pandemic. Also masks, I used masks before the pandemic. Masks give me ease. Pack a few extra ones. Earphones are non negotiable to me. I am not a huge talker on a flight even if I travel with friends or family. I need my quiet time. So my headphones help in that regard.

Also a snack. I have to have a snack. Whether I pack it from home or get one in the airport I have to have something that if I want to snack I have it. Also depending on my flight, I may also grab a full meal. Today my flight back to PA is a 5 hour flight. There’s no way I am snacking my way through that. I need a full on meal before I take off. Gum is one of my must haves. It’s a great way to help with ear popping. My ear plugs is another one. Instead of the throw aways I have plastic ones that I reuse. These fit in my ear and they do not allow the popping to happen.

Travel and Mental Health

Why do the above suggestions aid in mental health and travel? Simple, anxiety is going to come on you or be apart of your journey. If before you can go and enjoy your trip regardless of what the trip is for, you want to know what you need while you are on the go. It’s important for you to do what works best for you. For instance, getting to the airport under 2 hours before my flight won’t work for me. I have to be there to sit, and get my bearings together. The process of security, etc. I need that time to relax after being razzled.

Travel and Comfort

Wear comfortable clothes. You can be fashionable while you travel but being comfortable is king. If you are traveling with others, don’t micromanage what they are wearing. For instance, parents of kids, pack a blanket or sweater while traveling. If my kids want to wear shorts and there’s no snow on the ground-let them. The less arguing that can go down the better. This eliminates unnecessary issues that are bound to happen when you travel.

List of Travel Items

Here are a list of travel items that I have in my backpack for travel:

• Journal and pen
• Gummi bears or some sort of candy
• Headphones
• Travel pillow
• Ear Phones
• Gum
• Lotion
• Hand Sanitizer
• Sanitizing wipes
• Extra pair of socks for my feet
• Blanket
• Chapstick
• Travel chargers
• Vlog portable light
• Vlog portable handler
• Regular wipes for using the bathroom in the airports
• Travel toilet seat covers-airports do run out of don’t have them fyi

This is a small listing but covers the majority of items needed. Everyone is different on what they need. As a Content Creator I also travel with my tripod too. I love that many are willing to take shots. However when they aren’t the type that is a Content Creator, they may not be willing to get all of the angles that I want. I missed so much content one time being scared to look like a weirdo just because I didn’t want folks looking at me for having one. However this is what I do as a Full Time Creator, I’m not missing any coins for folks’ looks.

Miscellaneous Travel

Pack a bag to have your dirty clothes in. It makes it easier to drop in the laundry room and helps to unpack faster once home. A few days and on the day of travel eat what you know won’t upset your stomach. Nothing worse than having your anxiety go up because your stomach hurts. If you are lactose intolerant or having accepted that you are, do not eat dairy while traveling. Pack eye masks to use once you land. Your travel eyes will thank you.

I have way more content and things and tips to share. Remember there are many of us that have some form of mental health issue. Do not limit yourself in traveling. If you take medication, pack it on your carry on or purse/bag. Take it the way it was prescribed. Do not increase it for travel unless your doctor has given you permission. Talk to your doctor about your anxiety with traveling and they may give you more tips to help. Go and enjoy your time like I have.

Also know what time of day you want to travel. I am an early morning traveler. It helps me to not have travel anxiety build. If there is a delay there are better opportunities to get on a flight later in the same day.

Side Note: Southwest Airlines have never let me down. 2 checked bags for no fee. They left on time and we arrived earlier than expected. Just a note for those considering who to fly with. The gate agents were on point and got us loaded on the flight sooner too.