Many would swear that travel is a verifiable form of addiction, although not recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (better known as the DSM-V, the primary guidebook for diagnosing mental health conditions for psychologists and psychiatrists). Terms like dromomania have been linked to excessive urgency for need for travel. Pretty interesting stuff to consider, but our purpose for this post is to explore what you need to know about when you can’t travel. Let’s explore travel withdrawal during Covid-19.
Of course, travel withdrawal is not exclusive to Covid-19. It can happen to anyone in any context where for whatever reason they are unable to travel. Still, the broad scope of Covid-19 and how it has impacted global travel in such profound ways should not be overlooked. So, consider that the material in this post is specific to Covid-19, but you can generalize it to any period of sustained travel inability.
What is Travel Withdrawal?
First of all, what does the term travel withdrawal mean? Travel withdrawal refers to any period of sustained inability to travel, such that this inability to travel causes emotional distress. Put in more profound terms, it’s when we can’t travel for a while and it royally stinks.
For casual travelers it’s an inconvenience. For business travelers, a major disruption. And for those for which travel is a way of life, being restricted from traveling can impact your core identity. It changes where you are, your daily activities, who you meet, how you spend your money, what you think about, and you may be missing the shared social value of common travel experiences.
Have you ever experienced travel withdrawal? Let’s explore some of the symptoms of this unscientific diagnosis to find out. For example, have you ever become sad, frustrated, irritable, restless, or otherwise felt angst in the context of being unable to travel in the near future? You’re not alone.
“Like any new challenge, it takes some adjustment and flexibility to ultimately make it through.”
-Psychology of Travel
There are other reasons why people might experience travel withdrawal besides a global pandemic. Travel-halting issues such as financial strain, health problems, disabilities, mobility limitations, safety concerns, social disruptions, or governmental restrictions can also contribute to situations where travel is not possible (or, perhaps just considered too risky).
However, a unique challenge specific to Covid-19 is that many of us have never had to experience travel withdrawal before. Covid introduced widespread and extended travel interruptions on a scale that the modern world has never seen. Like any new challenge, it takes some adjustment and flexibility to ultimately make it through.
Coping when You are Unable to Travel
So how should you cope with travel withdrawal? First, establish what your symptoms are. How do you feel about being unable to travel? How do you feel when you’re unable to travel? Don’t just skim these words. Actually answer those questions for yourself.
Notice whatever emotion you feel and take steps to engage in healthy coping behaviors like exercise, spiritual faith, yoga, meditation, social connection, maintaining health diet, or perhaps reaching out to a mental health professional if needed. Consider creative ways to cope like playing all your travel board games (a favorite is the Monopoly National Parks special edition or the SmartGames IQ Puzzler Pro travel edition).
Further, when you can’t do, you can still plan. Even if you can’t nail down all the details like specific dates, enjoy the process of seeking travel inspiration, reading about travel (see why reading about travel can be very healthy for you), and making preliminary itineraries to scratch that travel itch. It helps to keep a bit of structure to your travel habits.
Also, get some support for your travel withdrawal. This might include a spouse or parent, or a fellow traveler that you can vent and share concerns with. Talk about it with others, as we are universally in the same boat during this worldwide pandemic. In that sense, it’s actually a great way to relate with others.
Online travel groups abound with like-minded people who may be in a similar position as you. Learn from their experiences and how they’re coping, so you don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Some good online travel groups can be found at Travellerspoint and Lonely Planet forums.
Looking Deeper into How Travel Affects You
Finally, this may be a great opportunity to pause and consider the reasons why travel became so important to you. What do you love about it? How did this passion develop for you? What are the ways travel positively impacts your physical and mental health (see here for a previous post on the top mental health benefits of travel)? By learning this, it may inspire you with direction for future travels or help you better appreciate your past travels.
You might even consider applying your insights into creating your own travel blog! It’s extremely cheap to start one through this link at Bluehost, in my opinion the best website hosting around.
It’s okay to feel disappointed when you can’t travel. It’s normal to experience some frustration when we can’t do the things we enjoy doing. Keep in mind that your emotions are not completely based on your situation (e.g., whether you can travel or not). Your emotions are more closely tied with how you interpret and make meaning of the situation. Is this an endless unfair burden placed on you or is this a temporary time where you can catch up on other important areas of life?
“Take this time to do what you wish you could catch up when you’re busy traveling.“
-Psychology of Travel
Take this time to do what you wish you could catch up when you’re busy traveling. Whether that’s errands, chores, planning, reading, spending time with family, your faith, or studying new hobbies, this is an opportunity of uninterrupted space that you can take advantage of to your own benefit. Start that travel blog you’ve been considering for a while (would suggest you get your website hosting through Bluehost).
Bottom line, don’t let travel withdrawal impair your life and your relationships. If it already is, be encouraged to know that you’re in control of taking steps to address the issue and cope more effectively. Plus, remember to practice travel gratitude whether you can travel right now or not (see a Psychology of Travel guide for travel gratitude). This can help soothe even the worst cases of travel withdrawal.
Happy Travels,
Dr. L
Founder, PsychologyofTravel.com
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