When an individual is practising mindfulness, it generally refers to their state and conscious focus on something. This usually refers to one’s focus on the moment that they are presently in, as well as acknowledging their thoughts and emotions without acting on them.
In many cases, mindfulness is prescribed as a therapy to individuals who struggle with various different mental health issues due to the focus that these practises bring to an individual’s everyday life and the ways in which this can become incorporated in their daily routine.
Though this is first recommended to be carried out in an environment that an individual is familiar with in order to get to grips with the practise itself, this can later be transferred to other locations – including those that may be beneficial for an individual struggling with specific mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder (SUD), for example.
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The importance of mindfulness in wellness travel
When an individual is travelling, there are many ways in which an individual can implement different mindfulness attributes to their experiences.
This creates a new way in which an individual can view their experiences, as well as a new perspective on themselves and how they perceive the world.
For an addiction, for example, practising mindfulness (as well as other practises and therapies) in a place other to the one that an individual developed their addiction in can be a great way to view their substance consumption differently, as well as removing themselves from potentially triggering environments.
However, in all cases it is vital that an individual seeks professional medical advice and recommendations for the future of their recovery and ongoing mental wellbeing.
In some specific studies, there has been a proven link between an individual’s mental health and mindfulness-based treatments (1), though this is important to implement as part of a full and tailored treatment programme in order to see the most effective results.
Why might an individual benefit from wellness travel?
Mental health in general is a highly misunderstood concept due to the different ways in which it can affect individuals, their emotions, and their behaviours.
This is why it is recommended that individuals try new and alternative therapies that may boost their mental health in ways that they previously have not considered.
This is where wellness travel may prove beneficial in some circumstances due to the ways in which it can provide new environmental factors in which to learn from, as well as providing an entirely new environment for some individuals – separating their recovery journey from their previous environment which may have negatively impacted them.
Wellness travel & mental health: how can the two co-occur?
So how can these mental health-boosting practices be implemented into wellness travel? There are many options for this, depending on an individual’s needs, requirements, and essentials during their holiday and/or wellness travel programme.
There are many different options available also depending on where an individual travels. This is why it is vital that an individual does their research and understands their options in their chosen destination.
The remainder of this article will cover different options that an individual may opt for when considering wellness travel, but an individual must still conduct their own research into the best options for their specific needs and requirements of support.
Individuals considering these options should always ensure that this is given approval by a medical professional – preferably one that is aware of an individual’s situation and their symptoms.
1. Meditation
As a focussed way of practising mindfulness, meditation is one of the best ways in which an individual can focus on their environment, their emotions, and that which surrounds them generally.
During meditation, individuals are encouraged to seek out a quiet environment in which they can be situated comfortably in order to focus on their breath. During meditation, it is common that an individual’s thoughts may quickly surface, but it is vital that these are simply acknowledged and not acted upon.
Meditating in environments that an individual is not familiar with i.e., during wellness travel, may be a great way for individuals to truly come to terms with many factors that influence their mental health.
2. Yoga retreats
Similar to meditation and the general practise of mindfulness, an individual may choose to practise yoga as a way to focus on their breath and their emotions.
Yoga is known to be a great way to focus the body and the mind, bringing attention to specific areas of the body and mind that may require attention.
Many locations abroad offer ‘yoga retreats’ or yoga-based holidays that are focussed on bringing an individual back to be more in touch with their physical and mental wellbeing, all whilst being in an environment and place that settles both of these areas.
3. Outdoor excursions
As well as being an optional extra in many residential care settings (such as residential drug rehab in Central London, for example), outdoor excursions are offered as part of many wellness travel opportunities due to the benefits that these practises offer.
This could be considered to be a form of holistic therapy due to the way in which these excursions include a combination of hobby-based activities such a horse-riding, hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities.
Often, combining an individual’s hobbies with their mental health treatment is a great way to bring focus to an individual’s treatment programme, as well as reinvigorating their motivation and/or attitude toward recovery.
4. Digital detox
As a part of many wellness travel opportunities, individuals are often encouraged to (or may find that naturally they) reduce their screen time and time connecting with the digital world.
This is to reduce the additional stresses and associated emotions that many individuals feel when they are connecting and interacting online.
Wellness travel retreats, for example, often have strict no-phone or mobile devices rules and regulations when an individual is participating in their programmes due to the ways that this technology can interact and distract from an individual’s recovery journey.
5. Rehabilitation abroad
As a specific example, many individuals may choose to attend specific rehabilitation programmes abroad as a way to separate themselves from their previous environments in which they may have developed various mental health issues, including addiction.
These residential treatment centres are often recommended in specific situations in which an individual may be at additional risk in their previous living environment, as well as examples in which the individual themselves may feel more comfortable and able to recover abroad.
Seeking help for your mental health and more
In specific examples where an individual requires urgent support for their mental health, they should always contact their local emergency services.
However, in other examples individuals are always able to get specific information and advice regarding a wide range of mental health issues through their local health services.
This is always recommended due to the accessibility of care and the relative frequency of these services across the country.
Contact your local health services today to start your mental health recovery journey today.
Sources:
[1] Coronado-Montoya, S., Levis, A.W., Kwakkenbos, L., Steele, R.J., Turner, E.H. and Thombs, B.D., 2016. Reporting of positive results in randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based mental health interventions. PloS one, 11(4), p.e0153220.