Confronting Post-Travel Depression: How To Manage Coming Home
Disclaimer: This is a pre-written guest post, published on behalf of The TEFL Academy. All thoughts, opinions, and advice provided are those of the writer.
We’ve all been there. You’ve just had the trip of a lifetime. Whether it was lounging around revelling in the opportunity of doing absolutely nothing, or a trip away filled with adrenaline-inducing adventures you’ll never be able to forget, travel opens the door to experiences unlike any other in our everyday lives. Because of this sudden and sharp crash back into reality, the phenomenon known as ‘post-travel depression’ is a hazard every nomad will encounter at some point or another. But, what exactly is post-travel depression? And how can we go about remedying and even curing it? Read on to find out!
Learn About Reverse Culture Shock
Just as the initial reaction to landing in a new culture can profoundly impact our emotional and psychological well-being, the same can very much occur when returning ‘home’. Reverse culture shock occurs when travellers return home and find the re-adjustment phase jarring.
Post-trip depression is a natural part of reverse culture shock, and understanding that can be a great first step in tackling it. Just like how you learn how to cope with and eventually embrace a new foreign culture, sometimes it just takes time to get back to grips with your ‘familiar’ surroundings again.
Explore Your Local Area
Just because you’re back in your local area, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of destinations ripe for exploring. It’s that ability to discover new neighbourhoods and unearth things that made the countries you visited so special, and there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from doing the same in your home surroundings.
Take a day trip to your local towns and attractions, go on a hike or take part in a new cultural activity - there are plenty of ways to discover something new close to home.
Connect With Others
The worst thing you want to be when tackling post-trip depression is by yourself reflecting on how much you’re missing from your overseas adventures. Isolation only amplifies post-travel blues so make sure you’re filling your calendar as much as possible with as many friends, family, and social connections when you head back home.
Your home surroundings haven’t stood still since you’ve been away; there might be a new restaurant or bar in town, a new attraction to check out or an event on the calendar that you can attend with other people. This gives you something to look forward to rather than back on and will go a long way in keeping your spirits up.
Give Something Back
But why should all that excellent work come to an end when you get home? Helping others and making a difference has proven to be one of the best ways of feeling good, and taking the time to get back involved with your local community may be the remedy you need to refuel your passion for where you come from.
Keep Developing Your Skills
One of the best parts of a travelling lifestyle is the wide array of skills you pick up along the way. Just because you’re no longer attempting to speak Chinese or Italian, doesn’t mean you have to stop developing your language skills to the point where you sound like a local.
Platforms such as Duolingo are still the go-to places for learning new languages, but why not keep your roots tied to your host country by reading the local news or watching movies and TV shows from there? If you live in or close to a big city, there may even be cultural events or specific neighbourhoods dedicated to all things to do with your host country, providing even more opportunities for immersion.
Practice Gratitude
‘Gratitude’ might not be the word that immediately comes to mind when you’re sitting at home or work thinking back over all your incredible travel experiences. But there’s always something to be thankful for, and being mindful of some of these things can be a good exercise in getting over your post-trip blues. Whether it’s the life you’ve returned to or the skills, experiences, and connections you acquired during your treks, take a moment to pause, reflect, and be proud of how much you’ve grown and developed.
Plan Another Trip
We mentioned above that having something to look forward to is one of the best remedies for post-trip depression. And what’s better than planning to do something local? Fuelling your wanderlust with another trip abroad!
Speak to any serial nomad, and they’ll tell you all about how addictive trip planning is. And whether it’s a low-key weekend getaway to the country next door or a six-month excursion halfway around the world, another break from the grinds of reality is always good for the soul. No need to worry about funds either, with volunteering once again providing the perfect route for anyone looking for another adventure away without breaking the bank.
Check out the beautiful Buttermere Circular, with all the info you need to plan your own visit.