Can Traveling Get You Depressed When You Get Home?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Something is off, and it's totally normal to feel the way you're feeling.

Post-travel depression is a real thing

, and after spending time challenging yourself abroad, coming home can feel like the hardest part. Luckily, you're not alone, and there are things you can do to help ease the post travel blues.

How do you deal with coming home from Travelling?

  1. Be compassionate with yourself. …
  2. Give yourself time to adjust. …
  3. Give yourself a goal. …
  4. Don't live at home. …
  5. Don't talk about your travels all the time. …
  6. Accept that you're not the only person who's different. …
  7. It gets easier.

Can Travelling make you depressed?

Like it sounds,

post-travel depression is a feeling of depression that hits you at the end of a trip

. Sometimes it can even begin in the days running up to the end—you always end up feeling a little sad in the days before heading home.

How traveling can affect your mental health?

Travel can spark mood changes, depression, , and uncharacteristic behaviors such as violence, suicidal thoughts, and excessive drug and alcohol use, or it can worsen symptoms in people with existing mental illness.

How do you deal with post travel blues?

  1. Learn about reverse culture shock. Pull out those study abroad materials or do some googling and read up on how to overcome reverse culture shock. …
  2. Practice what you learned. …
  3. Give back. …
  4. Go explore your backyard. …
  5. Connect with others. …
  6. Plan another trip. …
  7. Try something new. …
  8. Practice gratitude.

How can I stop being sad on vacation?

  1. Plan Your Next Vacation. …
  2. Return Home on Not-a-Sunday. …
  3. Remember that Even Popular Vacation Destinations Get Old. …
  4. Exercise and Eat (Fairly) Healthy While on Vacation. …
  5. Infuse Your Itinerary With Spaciousness. …
  6. Don't Let Work Snowball. …
  7. Transform Your Home Into an Enriching Sanctuary.

Why does traveling make me anxious?


Having a panic attack while in an unfamiliar area can also lead to anxiety over traveling

. Simply hearing about negative travel experiences, such as plane crashes or foreign illnesses, can spike anxiety in some people. Anxiety disorders can also be caused by biological risk factors.

What are the 7 benefits of traveling?

  1. Travel Makes You Happier. …
  2. Travel Lets You Disconnect & Recharge. …
  3. Traveling Relieves Stress and Anxiety. …
  4. Travel Exposes You to New Things. …
  5. Travel Exposes Others to New Things. …
  6. Travel Makes You Physically Healthier. …
  7. Traveling Can Boost Your Creativity.

Are people that travel happier?

Going to new places helps you improve your mental well-being by experiencing new places, people and cultures and breaking your routine. A recent Washington State University study found out that

people who traveled several times a year-even for just 75 miles from home- were 7% happier than those who did not travel.

Why do Travellers enjoy returning home from a journey?

Most importantly, coming back home

recharges your travel batteries

. Traveling for a long time actually takes the excitement out of traveling. Eventually, things just become “another”: another waterfall, another church, another jungle, another beach.

What are travel blues?

Post-travel blues can be thought of as a vacation hangover. Simply put, it is

a feeling of sadness that some travellers experience when they return from a trip

. The comedown from that addictive drug that is travel.

What should you do after a trip?

  1. Cook a destination-themed meal. …
  2. Create a photo book. …
  3. Write about your favorite moments. …
  4. Get creative with your souvenirs. …
  5. Keep track of your trips.

What traveling does to your brain?

Travel

helps your brain function better and boosts creativity

. Immersing yourself in new cultures increases your mind's ability to move between different ideas, think more deeply, and integrate thoughts.

What is travel psychology?

The psychology of travel refers to

the mental, emotional, and behavioral ways that people experience the act of traveling

. It can include motivation, decisions during travel, managing stress when traveling, cultural influences and reactions, and the actions we take in planning and going on travels.

Is vacation good for anxiety?

A study released last year by the American Psychological Association concluded that

vacations work to reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with stress and anxiety

. Vacations Can Cut Your Risk for Heart Attack.

How long does post fatigue last?

How long jet lag lasts will depend on several factors. These include how far you traveled, your body's unique rhythms and your overall health. Many people who experience jet lag feel better a few days after arriving to their destination. For some people, it can take

up to one week

to feel fully back to themselves.

Where do you go when you feel lost?

  1. Inspiring Bali. Bali is a very special place. …
  2. Remote Iceland. …
  3. In South Africa as a ranger. …
  4. New Zealand, country of adventures. …
  5. Stress withdrawal in the Alps. …
  6. Nothing but desert in Namibia. …
  7. The pure joy of living in Italy. …
  8. Spiritual India.

Is it common to get sick after traveling?

Is it normal to get a cold after traveling? For a lot of individuals, travel can be an exhausting experience and can take a toll on the body. Whether you're taking a road trip or flying on a plane to your destination,

it is common for travelers to return home feeling sick after traveling for a period of time

.

What is post holiday syndrome?

Post-holiday blues usually refer to the

short-lived mental distress, anxiety, and sadness that arises after the holidays

. The holidays are a busy time and they last from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve.

Why is the last day of vacation so sad?

One of the main reasons people might experience depressive symptoms after vacation is because

they feel like there's nothing left to look forward to for a while

. A good way to make the end of your trip feel less disappointing is to schedule something fun to look forward to the week you return home.

How do I deal with anxiety after vacation?

Getting Stress Recovery Experiences While On Vacation

Engage in some form of relaxation (reading a good book or meditating, for example) as well as something stimulating but not work-related (like hiking or exploring a new city) —both are key for stress recovery.

How often should you travel?

Ideally, you should take

at least two longer trips per year

, in addition to a few other smaller trips. The total amount that you should spend on vacation is 30-45 days per year. I know getting one month off per year can seem hard for some, but it's a very effective way to stay healthy, live happier, and longer.

What are the disadvantages of travelling?

  • Table of Contents. …
  • Traveling abroad can be very expensive. …
  • Unexpected costs and emergencies. …
  • Related Articles. …
  • Language Barrier. …
  • Cultural Shock and Adaptation to foreign customs. …
  • You are on your own in a foreign remote country. …
  • Having Long Flights.

Why is travel so important?

Traveling is

one of the best way to enhance personal growth

. It enables you to do things different from your daily routine activities. When you travel, you step out from your comfort zone to a different environment which makes you become more responsible and gives a sense of independence.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.