FeelingGoodWithSofy

Hello guys :)! 😊

In this mental-health blog post, I’ll discuss going on vacation while struggling with mental-health.

Trigger warning: if you are grappling with mental health issues, or you are in a rough patch, this mental-health article could be challenging for you to read. However, this post has mostly motivational tips and content. The decision to continue reading is yours alone and no one else’s!❤️❤️

As I was mentioning before, I’ll talk about being on vacation while dealing with mental challenges, share some of my life stories, and provide tips and tools along the way to make the best out of a trip!❤️As always, we are all different, what works for me, could not work for you and vice-versa!

Your Mental-Health on Vacation

Before going on vacation, always make sure your mental-health isn’t worsening, because it can sometimes lead to really challenging moments and situations where you can’t easily reach out to your doctors.

Remember, your mental wellbeing comes first, then if you feel well enough a vacation is lovely! 🙂

Going somewhere other than your home – your comfort zone – can be challenging and not so easy. You might find the idea of vacation appealing for your wellbeing, but at the same time, it can feel difficult because you don’t know exactly the place where you are going to.

Moreover, often, while on vacation with friends or family, it can be hard to find enough space for yourself. But keep in mind that setting healthy boundaries and taking care of yourself are key to a better, healthier vacation.

As someone who deals with mental-health conditions on a daily basis, going on vacation isn’t always easy for me either.

Sharing a bit of my story…❤️

Struggling with depression and anxiety, going especially to places I don’t know is challenging for me. I like to have my daily routines, and on vacation, these can get disrupted. That’s why I try my best to regulate myself in different ways.

In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed an increase in my anxiety specifically when I’m planning to go on vacation and when I am on vacation.

Telling you about a recent vacation struggle

A few months ago, I went for two days to Bologna. At the beginning I was pretty excited, I had quite a lot of energy and I looked forward to visit the city. Once arrived, I started not to feel exactly my best. In the next few hours, my energy levels began to decrease, we walked a lot, saw many things, and took small pauses but apparently they were not enough for me. What I needed, was to go to the hotel and rest for a couple of hours.

Plus, while sightseeing, I was almost always with my phone, ready to share beautiful moments on social media. I concluded my day feeling tired and there were moments during dinner time where I was not feeling well.

The next day I repeated the same mistakes from the other day: I was out sightseeing all day, I scrolled and shared a lot on socials, so I worked while walking with my phone, I didn’t rest. At the end of the day, while we were on our way home on a train, I worked more and then I started to feel really drained and bad.

I had a serious panic attack and by the time I was back home, I had absolutely no energy left.

Learning to set healthy boundaries❤️

I learned a lot from this challenging episode. My therapist helped me to realize that I had no batteries left after this trip and not that I can not make things because I am too weak or not able to do them. Anxiety and depression are debilitating, I did far too many things during this trip and I ended up feeling hopeless and drained.

As I mentioned before, routines are very important for me, for my wellbeing and on vacation it could be harder to keep up with them. Still, I believe I can have routines even while on vacation, perhaps just in a different way than when I am at home.

Here is an example: if I have to be somewhere else at a certain hour, I make sure to wake earlier than usual to meditate, do my morning skincare and eat my breakfast calmly and mindfully. When I begin to feel tired or anxious at a certain point during the day, if it’s possible I make my own way to the hotel, otherwise I find a calming spot where I can sit and have a cup of tea while listening to soothing music and focusing my attention on my breath.

Helpful Tips and Tools along the Way❤️

• Setting healthy boundaries: learn to set healthy boundaries while you are traveling. If you feel tired, rest, if you are in need for some time alone, do not hesitate to take some time for yourself❤️

• Self-Care: another important thing is taking care of yourself. Make sure you get enough sleep, that you eat, rest, take small power naps. Self-care is non-negotiable, even on vacation 🙂

• Bring your favourite tools: I would highly recommend to bring your favourite tools with you when you go on a holiday. Do you feel good writing? Bring with you your journal…Do you enjoy meditating and doing yoga? Bring with you your yoga mat! 🙂

• Healthy routines: I think routines are crucial, even on vacation. Try to create a healthy routine when you’re away, and structure it. Maybe even write it down in your journal at the beginning of your trip so you don’t forget! 🙂

Much Love and Light❤️✨

Sofia Lena 😊

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