While most people try to remain positive through the ins and outs of life, sometimes, anxiety can creep up, and that goes for people with and without disabilities. The solution may be to have a change of scenery. It’s easy to get bogged down when you’re at home and you’re dealing with a lot at once, so consider getting out and taking an exciting road trip. Even a few days out on the road can do wonders for your mental health.
If you’re ready to hit the pavement, do your research and follow this advice for a fun trip that can help you relax and find your center.
Get Ready For Your Trip
The first thing you should do before you hit the road is take the steps to recognize that you need some help with your mental health. Everyone can feel a bit down from time to time. However, when negative feelings escalate, you start to have excessive fears or worries, or you have excessive mood changes, and you have withdrawn from the outside world, it’s time to make a change. While seeing a professional counselor or sleeping better and practicing self-care can help, so can getting out and seeing the world.
In addition to being fun, taking a road trip is one of the most accessible ways to travel. Still, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your homework before going. Research local safety laws to ensure you’re set up for a safe and fun trip. Look into the hotels and the places you plan to visit and ensure they have the accessibility features you need, be it ramps, good service animal policies, options for rental of mobility and transport equipment, and anything else you may need. You may also want to contact a travel agent who specializes in providing accommodation for individuals with disabilities to help you with this research.
You can also make use of applications such as Access Now which provide ways for members of the disabled community to search for attractions and lodgings with the accessibility features they need and leave comments about what types of services and accommodations are available.
Prepare Your Vehicle
It’s no secret that flying with a disability often causes significant amounts of unneeded stress, in part because airports and TSA agents can make the process of traveling in this way difficult. While it is important to call for improvements so that flying can be accessible and enjoyable for everyone, opting to take a road trip can both alleviate this anxiety, provide more control, and allow you to enjoy slower travel.
It is essential to take the proper precautions to ensure that the vehicle you’ll be riding in is comfortable and equipped for your needs. If you opt to drive your vehicle yourself, you can also upgrade your car in small ways that make a huge difference in safety — even something as simple as polishing your headlights can improve visibility and make your time on the road that much better. These kinds of updates can also make the vehicle more comfortable if a companion, loved one or assistant will be driving instead.
If your own car is not equipped with accessible features, you can also opt to rent one from a company that is known for providing stellar service to members of the disabled community.
Have Fun As You Drive
Once you’re in the vehicle and on the road, find ways to make the trip enjoyable so you’re distracted by your adventure and less concerned about your anxiety and worries.
A well-planned road trip can improve your mental health in various ways, one of which is the chance to bond and talk to people. Start with your travel mates. This is a chance to create stronger connections. Talk about your trip, and if everyone is fine doing so, discuss some of the sources of your anxiety. Talking together may help you find some calming answers.
Also, take the time to talk to new people during your trip. That could include anyone from the desk agent at the hotel to people you see at stops. By sparking up a conversation, you can learn about them, which may help you find new ways of looking at yourself and your anxiety.
Another fun way to be pleasantly distracted during a road trip is to play games to pass the time. There are various games you can try that don’t require much preparation, like the alphabet game. Find words or objects outside the car that start with each alphabet letter and see who gets to Z first. Other classic games include 20 Questions and Name That Tune, and they are great ways to take your mind off your worries.
Make Stops Along The Way
Find spots and places to get out of the car so you can enjoy your new surroundings and appreciate the world and your place in it a bit more. If it’s possible and accessible, stop at a few nature spots along the way, be it a lookout point along the highway or a trip to a national park – Acadia, the Great Sand Dunes and Carlsbad Caverns are some of the natural parks that are considered more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities or those that require wheelchairs.
There’s incredible healing power in nature. The greenery of the trees and the surrounding forest can help you to feel at ease because you’re brought back to a more natural place where your worries can start to melt away. You can be so astounded by the beauty that you might realize you’re happy to be part of such an expansive world. Keep in mind that you don’t need to engage in extensive hiking or camping to enjoy nature. Just being there and soaking it in may be all you need.
Conclusion
It’s natural to feel anxious and stressed from time to time but don’t let it bog you down. A change of scenery could improve your mental health and give you a fresh perspective, so get out there and see what the world has to offer.
