In preparation for going travelling, most people know that if they intend on being quite active during their travels, they will need to look after their physical health; but a lot of people overlook caring for their mental wellbeing too. If you intend on truly enjoy the experience of going travelling, you need to make sure that are doing all you can to combat some of the more stressful elements of travel and foster a healthy and happy mindset. To help you out, here are some simple examples of things that you can do to care for your mental health while travelling.

Prioritise good sleeping habits

Sleep is one of the most important factors in looking after your mental health, as it is the time when your mind and body get to rest, process and heal. Sleeping patterns can easily be disrupted when travelling, especially if you are crossing multiple time zones. However, it is important to find ways to make sure you’re getting sleep regularly throughout your time away, as the more erratic your sleeping pattern becomes, the more it is likely to affect your mental and physical health. Try taking a neck pillow with you while in transit so that you can get some rest throughout the journey to make up for any lost sleep, and avoid drinking too much caffeine as this could affect your body’s ability to regulate its own energy levels.

Stay hydrated

If you’re going to be spending time in a different climate to what you are used to at home, this can have an impact on how quickly your body uses water, especially if you intend on being on the move a lot. Therefore, it is important for the health and wellbeing of your mind, and body, that you stay hydrated. This will help you avoid negative side effects of dehydration, such as headaches and low mood.

Eat a balanced diet

It may not seem like the biggest priority while you are travelling, but making sure that you get a balanced and nutritious diet, it is just as important for your mental health as it is for your physical health. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy different rich and flavourful local foods during your time travelling; just try to introduce some more vitamin-rich sources of food into your diet throughout the day to keep your body and mind nourished.

Practice mindfulness techniques

Whether you’re faced with a missed connection or overwhelmed by the foreign nature of a different country, travelling can sometimes be a stressful experience. Engaging in mindfulness is like a gentle, calming form of exercise for the brain: and just like normal exercise, the more you do it the easier it becomes. There is a range of different mindfulness techniques which you can utilise on the go to maintain your mental and emotional health, such as breathwork and yoga. You can also use apps like Headspace to access guided meditations, which you may find useful for keeping your brain engaged and your mind focused. All you have to do is invest in a pair of good headphones and a BodyGuardz phone case, and you’ll be set to go.