It was day three on a bucket list trip to the red city of Marrakech. Since stepping off a sleepless, turbulent red eye, my senses had been battered with dizzying heat radiating off the clay walls and chaotic crowds with vendors shouting at me in the medina. I looked at my husband, struggling to put my shoes on to leave the room, and the tears started flowing as I wailed, “I’m just so tired. I don’t want to do this tour; I just want to go back to bed.” Internally, the exhausted, depressed part of me was battling the part that was still euphoric about being in this city I had dreamed of traveling to for the better part of a decade. That part of me didn’t want to miss a thing, which made the emotions even more difficult to manage.
This is what travel is innately like—stressors and things outside your comfort zone throwing you for a loop. Yet, those with major depressive disorder (also referred to as MDD or depression) are arguably affected by it more severely.
“Depression affects every aspect of life,” says Dr. Therese Mascardo, a licensed clinical psychologist and CEO & founder of Exploring Therapy. “One of the most challenging aspects of depression is that at any given time, symptoms can span from mild annoyances like low energy or self-critical thoughts to completely debilitating, where a person can’t get out of bed or has suicidal thoughts.”
“Travel will inevitably involve a level of stress and unpredictability, but taking steps to minimize it can make the situation much more manageable,” says Dr. Mascardo. As someone with depression, I’ve found that taking those steps makes it more enjoyable, too.
Her biggest piece of advice is to give yourself shameless permission to pack everything you might need, even if it means checking a bag. It’s harder to find things on the go, especially if you’re dealing with limited resources and mental health struggles. She urges travelers to ask themselves, “what can I pack to set my future self up for success?” while focusing on four key areas: sleep, emotional support, immune support, and movement.
For a long time, especially after my diagnosis, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to experience the glimmers of the world the way others could. However, over time, I’ve realized that my depression is why I feel and experience a place so deeply; and honestly, I wouldn’t trade that for anything. With the right tips, tools, and a proper support system—as well as therapy and medication—I’m able to enjoy traveling fully; here’s what I’ve found helps most, along with guidance from Dr. Mascardo that can apply to other travelers with depression.
My best tips for traveling with depression:
Prioritize your sleep habits
According to the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT), there is a duality to sleep struggles for those living with depression—it can manifest as either insomnia or oversleeping.
