When you think of hitting the road it brings excitement, happy thoughts and an idea of how the trip should go, but one thing we don’t often think about is taking care of our mental health when you’re traveling for long periods of time.
I’ve suffered from depression since I was a 15-year-old grieving for my father who had just died from a heart attack. One thing I’ve learned over these last 35 years is that you can’t ignore it and think it’s going to go away. Where you go it goes. Just look at these statistics:
According to Healthline It’s estimated that 16.2 million adults in the United States, or 6.7 percent of American adults, have had at least one major depressive episode in a given year.
There’s also GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and according to Medical News Today. GAD affects around 6.8 million people in the U.S. — or more than 3 percent of the country’s adults.
Keeping physically healthy usually gets top billing, but you’ve got to consider your mental health as well. You need to create a plan in case of emergency and you need to stick to that plan no matter what. The first thing you need to do is take into account how long you’re going to be on the road.
What kind of medicines you take will also delegate how that plan will look. Some meds need to be taken only in the morning, but some need to be taken morning and night and if you mix that up and your trip or even worse, your health, could be in jeopardy.
There are some items that come with me on any trip and the number one thing on that list is my weighted blanket. This little thing does wonders not only for my mental health, but my physical health as well. Check out this article on Recognizing Depression from WeightedBlankets.com
The first thing I did was to purchase a pill organizer to keep track of morning and evening medicines so that I can grab and go. Here’s the one I use:
I like it because it protects your medicine twice. It sucks to divide all of your medicine and then have it come open in your purse with pills piled up at the bottom with an errant paper clip and a Hall’s cough drop from the 1980s. With this one, the actual medicine box goes inside a larger one to keep them even more safe and secure.
IMPORTANT TIP: YOU MUST ALSO CARRY YOUR PILL BOTTLES OR YOU COULD BE ARRESTED!
What happens if your medicine gets lost? Healthgrades.com offers these tips:
IF YOU’RE IN THE US:
- Fill your prescriptions before you go. Bring enough medicine to last your whole trip plus a couple of extra days in case of travel delays.
- Copy your prescriptions and keep a copy with you.
- Know the generic names of all your prescriptions.
- Carry a letter from your doctor describing all your medical conditions and the medications you take.
- Make sure you know how to safely store your medications while traveling. Some drugs can be affected by extreme heat or cold.
- Carry your medications with you in their original bottles in your carry-on luggage. Don’t pack them in bags you plan to check.
IF YOU’RE ABROAD:
To find a doctor or clinic where you can get a new prescription, contact the nearest American embassy or consulate. Get contact information before you leave through the U.S. State Department. Another way to find a doctor or clinic abroad is to contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.
Be aware that some prescriptions may be hard to refill in foreign countries. Newer medications might not be available. Foreign brands may have different doses. In some countries, a narcotic pain medication may even be illegal. In these cases, you may need to get in touch with your doctor at home to find out whether you can change your dose or use a substitute medication until you get home.
You may have to pay for these medications if they have to be replaced as your health insurance may not cover it. From my 101 Travel Tips For The Ultimate Road Trip: Always know the basics of your health insurance before you go.
Now that we’ve covered medications I’d like to talk about a few other ways to keep your mental health in check while you’re on the road. According to the National Alliance On Mental Health following these steps can help:
- Find time to relax
- Bring your favorite tunes
- Take time for exercise
- Stay hydrated
- Practice mindfulness
- Keep a journal
- Keep stressors to a minimal
- Bring something from home
- Meditate
By taking the time to create a plan and take medications consistently your next road trip will be a happy one!
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I have to say that this is the first post of this kind I’ve seen and yet, it is logical. A plan for this is a must. Who woulda thunk?
Great advice Rena. Taking road trips and creating new memories can be so good for our mental health. But it can also be scary to move out of our comfort zone. These are great practical tips on how to do it.
I had no idea that you could be arrested for not having the bottle! My biggest downfall is not taking vitamin D when traveling. I get out of the daily habit and inevitably a few weeks later wonder why I’m tired!
I am on a few medications which i need to take every day so i need to know how I would get them if lost on a trip. I am a big proponent of exercise and with that hydration to keep mentally fit.
I really enjoyed reading this post. You provided some really helpful tips. Mental health is so important.
Finding time to just relax is very important especially on a trip where it can get a bit chaotic.
This is a great reminder! I make sure to bring all my medications with me. Plus headache medicine because when you travel with family, you’ll get some of those.
I always have a packing list for trips, and these tips are going to be incorporated into it! Great post!
Oh wow, I hadn’t even considered these ramifications. Thank you, I’ll be more aware of the possible issues. Now go try some asparagus. (inside joke)
I would 100% set ground rules prior to the road trip so that those you’re on this trip with KNOW your boundaries! Communication is key in order to stay sane!
I am so pro to all of this. Who says going abroad isn’t always fun and dreamy? Making a quick call with someone you love might help too.
I like hearing how people value and raise their concerns regarding mental health. I think it is the most important thing and individual must take care of. Your tips are spot on.
These are some wonderful tips! I had no idea that one can get arrested without the prescription bottles. Couldn’t agree more different doses of medicines available in foreign countries. So, one needs to be prepared in advance!
It’s so important to stick to routines when you travel. The journaling and mindfulness is a good tip. Making sure you still take time for yourself and sticking to your self care routine definitely helps the trip more enjoyable.
I am going to send this to my dad, he definitely can benefit from this. It is so important to keep up with your health while traveling.
It is hard to stay on track with everything when you travel. These are great tips. I always feel like I am not myself when we travel.
What great reminders when setting out on a trip! It’s especially important to know the generic names of all medications you may need to refill or replace while traveling.
I enjoy traveling by myself. This means I have no stress from other people. I can do whatever I want whenever I want. When I do travel with someone, I make sure they have traveled a lot and are fine with doing things on their own if we don’t want to do the same things together the entire trip.
great advice . i am the worst of travellers! The WORST!!!