I don’t believe poor mental health is on the rise. I believe it has always been as prevalent as it is now, but we never used to hear about it through traditional media.
Think about it—why wouldn’t human beings have periods of poor mental health? Life is bloody hard.
No matter your gender, background, race, or religion; the country you live in; or whether your parents were rich or poor, problems and trauma are relative, and we all experience them.
One of the cringiest and most overused lines I hear too often is:
“Well, there’s always someone worse off than you—it could be worse.”
Factually correct? Yes.
Helpful? NO!
When we recognise that we’re feeling rubbish the majority of the time, or when we turn to negative habits to numb those feelings, it might be a sign that it’s time to make a change.
As someone who has walked the path from awful to awesome with my own mental health, I feel confident in promising anyone that with the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and a desire to improve, ANYONE can make it through.
In today’s blog, I’m going to share how I found the courage to take a risk by travelling to Thailand for three months with my then 10-year-old son. At the time, I had no idea that this would be the first pivotal step in my mental health recovery.
I’ll also share the five ways travel helped me change my mindset and why it’s now a non-negotiable for me. So, read on to learn more.
February 13th, 2011
On my son’s 10th birthday, I got into my car after drinking a bottle and a half of wine. Before I even pulled away, I was stopped (thankfully).
My precious driving licence—which I had only held for 14 months—GONE!
I was devastated. Even now, writing this, I remember how awful that feeling was. Despite my friends and family trying to reassure me, the reality was it wasn’t just one unlucky mistake, it was a catastrophe (albeit a minor one) waiting to happen.
This was the moment I started to question my relationship with alcohol (although there was still a long way to go before my sober-curious era began—more on that soon). The truth was, I was so unhappy and troubled. I was living on autopilot, burdened by unprocessed trauma and undiagnosed ADHD. I was miserable and lonely.
Back then, the only way I knew to feel happy was to intoxicate myself, lose my inhibitions, and people-please my way into false friendships and relationships.
I sold my little car, which was my pride & joy and decided to visit my dad in Thailand for two weeks. This trip changed my life.
Two weeks turned into three months, and three months led to me training in TEFL and moving there with my son. We stayed for 18 months, living our absolute best lives.
The Turning Point
It was in Thailand that I began to see the world through a different lens. I realised life wasn’t about conforming to the norm. I would never find happiness by moulding myself into someone others expected me to be.
I met people from different walks of life who inspired me. My confidence soared as I navigated single parenting in a foreign country. I learned bits of a new language, a new culture, and spent most of my days outdoors.
When I returned to the UK in 2014, I promised myself that if I was going to settle back into life here—where it’s so much tougher—I would travel at least once a quarter to compensate.
Travel is not a luxury for me; it’s a necessity for my mental health and emotional wellbeing.
5 Ways Travel Continues to Improve My Mental Health
- It Changes My POV
Seeing your problems (we all have them, remember) from a different perspective can change the way you view them. Problems often feel less significant when there’s physical distance between you and them. Trust me, it’s hard to get angry over a stolen wheelie bin when you’re looking out at views like this every day.
- Meeting New People
I’ve met some incredible people while travelling. Age, race, gender, and religion become insignificant. We can learn so much from others, especially those outside our usual social circles. I have been so inspired by some of my travel buddies and it’s motivated me to do things and go places that I hadn’t considered before. - Time Stands Still
A big issue for me—and many of the people I coach—is feeling like there’s never enough time. When I travel, it’s as though time slows down. Two weeks can feel like a lifetime, bringing with it peace and clarity. - You Become Unavailable
This is a choice, but when travelling, you’re not guaranteed stable mobile coverage or Wi-Fi. Even if you do have access, you can switch off your phone and blame it on the signal! - Being Outdoors
Being outside is so good for you. We spend too much time indoors, which is unhealthy for the body, mind, and soul. Even in cold weather, you’ll find yourself outdoors more while travelling. After all, who travels somewhere just to stay inside?
In Summary
What are you waiting for? Whether it’s a day trip to the seaside, a camping weekend, an exotic all-inclusive, or backpacking around Asia (highly recommended!), get it booked. You’ll never regret it—I promise.
I’d love to hear your travel stories and how they’ve helped your mental health, so please get in touch.
Happy Travels
Serena xxx