Your Mental Health Packing List: What to Include & Why

You’re forgetting something.  All your bags are packed, you’ve double-checked all the packing lists and tips, and you have everything you need to head out on your vacation.  Well, everything you need…except the most important thing!

It’s important to have all the travel shirts and travel underwear you need for the trip (yes this is a real thing!), but those things are going to be what you remember from your travels.  None of the items in your bag will define your trip. 

See, you have forgotten to go over your mental health packing list.  You know, the attitude and mindset to allow yourself to actually enjoy your travels! 

You’re going on a trip in order to relax, have fun, learn, grow, and all the other awesome things that travel can help provide. 

So, don’t forget to include the following 10 items on your mental health packing list.

1. Attitude – Get your mind right for exploration and relaxation. Be intentional about this and don’t “hope” you find a good attitude somewhere along the trip.
2. Spirit – Bring a spirit of openness, welcoming adventure, exploration, faith, and cultural diversity.
3. Release – Let go of the stressors at home. Release the stress of today.
4. Mindfulness – Be mindful of your surroundings, with a sense of gentle non-judgment of the experience. Be present moment by moment.
5. Gratitude – Bring an intentional mindset of gratitude, for the people, places, and opportunities in front of you.
6. Self-control – Travel is a great time to splurge, but don’t eat or spend so much that you regret it later.
7. Safety – Bring a mindset of safety-first in order to improve the likelihood of safe travels.
8. SOME travel plans – Travel plans don’t have to be down to the minute itineraries, but have a general plan so you don’t get lost in stress about where to go or which activities to seek (learn the psychology of travel planning here).
9. Humor – Bring your sense of humor for those inevitable travel frustrations or disruptions, it will help you cope and enjoy both the challenging and relaxing moments of travel.
10. Grace – There may be moments on your trip where you’re not 100% relaxed and “in the moment” at all times. Do you feel like you “should” be able to achieve this on your travels? Give yourself some grace throughout your trip, and you will re-discover better sense of peacefulness.

Plus, don’t forget to sign up for the free Psychology of Travel Newsletter for the latest travel tips!

Happy Travels,

Dr. L
Founder, PsychologyofTravel.com