Mental health and wellness guide for the solo traveller
Solo travel can be challenging but incredibly rewarding
Whether you’re on a business trip or travelling for pleasure, solo travel may often be perceived as too intimidating, stressful or for some, embarrassing. On the contrary, solo travel can be thrilling and extremely enjoyable, and if you feel like you might not be brave enough to go solo, think again! Are you someone that has never dared to dine alone or buy a cinema ticket for one? If so, you might be wondering, “How can I go to an entire country on my own??” Well, you can. It may seem like a daunting venture at first, but with the right planning and precautions, travelling solo can be liberating, thrilling and even life-changing and any worries that you may have previously had will undoubtedly subside.
Hiking in areas of outstanding natural beauty not only has physical benefits. It can improve your mental health, too.
Be Prepared
For many, the unknown variables of a trip can be a considerable source of anxiety. While one cannot anticipate every situation or potential need, properly preparing for your travels will help to relieve some of your concerns and allow you to breathe a little easier on your adventure of a lifetime. If you, like me, love a list, there are an abundance of sites that provide helpful packing lists as well as checklists of tasks to do prior to your trip, such as informing your bank of your travel, charging all of your devices and sharing your plans and contact information with relatives. While you don’t need to map out every detail of your adventure, figuring out a loose plan and some key elements (such as accommodation and train routes), will help you feel more confident on your travels.
Keeping a journal not only helps to record your experiences but can have a positive impact on your mental health as well
Mind Your Mental Health
Solo travel inevitably means you will be spending a significant amount of time on your own. While some may revel in the idea of potentially endless alone time, others may feel differently. But, those pesky and sometimes intrusive thoughts that creep in don’t have to put a damper on your adventure. Every morning, try journaling, if only for a few minutes. This way, there’s a place to catch any self-sabotaging or doubting thoughts and make room in your mind for your exciting day ahead. If downtime is something that gives you the heebie-jeebies, there may be an urge to fill your days with endless sights to see, restaurants to try and activities to take part in. This may lead to burnout and mightn’t allow for the twists, turns and spontaneous moments that end up making a trip so unique and memorable. Instead, perhaps plan one or two sights per day and embrace a more unstructured schedule for the rest.
Socialising with strangers can be fulfilling
Get Social
Undoubtedly, one of the best parts of travelling on your own is meeting great people that you normally would not otherwise. After checking out the must-see attractions, try to avoid the high-traffic tourist areas and, instead, seek out independent coffee shops and quirky pubs to rest your feet. It is worth noting that when visiting local pubs and bars, it’s essential to know your limits in order to stay safe and aware of your environment. While it may be more appealing to eat dinner in the comfort of your room, step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of the culinary wonders of the city you’re in! If you’d rather not sit opposite an empty chair, try eating at the bar, as it can be more interactive and lively. Asking the bartenders and servers for their local favourites can be a nice way to strike up a conversation and you might even discover a hidden gem or two. Prefer a more tech-forward approach to meeting people? Try one of the many apps out there- you can find a shopping buddy, dancing partner, antique hunter- the sky’s the limit!
One great way to get a feel for a city is to sign yourself up for walking tours. They are often free (don’t forget to tip in that case!) or relatively inexpensive and it’s a fantastic way to meet some friendly faces. If you’re up for a more structured, extended group excursion, there are a wealth of travel companies that offer hiking, cycling, camping and touring packages for those that are seeking adventure on their trip, but unsure of where to start when planning.
Choose your accommodation wisely
Be Picky With Accommodation
Depending on your budget, hostels may be a more financially viable option for your accommodation. Fortunately, hostels are a fantastic way to travel and have a social scene practically built in! In fact, HostelWorld says that over half of their travellers are solo and travel with the intention of meeting other like-minded individuals. To facilitate connections, many hostels offer group activities that involve cooking classes, hiking, surfing, etc. They have even created a solo travel guide full of great tips as well as some advice for those who may experience loneliness during their travels.
If you are after a slightly less populated spot to rest your head, Airbnb is ideal as you can rent a private room in an apartment or the entire place to yourself, depending on how social you are feeling! Along those lines is CocoHub, which is “the first decentralised global coliving & coworking community for digital nomads”. Essentially, it is a co-living location where you can work remotely in stunning locations while meeting others who are doing the same. Sounds like a great way to find that work/life balance!
Top Spots for Solo Travel:
Camino de Santiago (Spain)- ideal as many of the “pilgrims” are walking solo and stay in hostels full of tired travellers along the way.
Slovenia- catch this stunning and sustainable Central European location before everyone wakes up to its breathtaking beauty!
Anywhere slightly more obscure - go against the grain, and check out Galicia, Zadar or Stavanger? They are likely to be less crowded, more affordable and absolutely gorgeous.
Find many more fantastic locations here!