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| Finding My Rhythm Abroad: Getting Back to Baseline During Travel with Bipolar Disorder |
Lost in the Fun, Then Lost in Myself
In December 2024, I traveled to Guyana, South America—my birthplace—for the first time in 20 years. I thought I was prepared, but I wasn’t. After a 17-hour layover in Port of Spain with no sleep, I arrived overwhelmed by the beauty and energy of home. I threw myself into the excitement, skipped medications, and survived on little rest. By the second week, I was edging into mania—sleep-deprived, irritable, and far from my baseline.
After an emotional outburst toward my cousin, I realized I had lost myself in paradise. Travel can disrupt even the strongest mental health routines, but I discovered it’s possible to find balance again—using small rituals and daily habits as a compass.
Why Travel Disrupts Bipolar Stability—and Why That’s Okay
Travel with bipolar disorder often destabilizes mental health because of:
Circadian rhythm disruption: Jet lag and time zone shifts can trigger manic or depressive symptoms.
Travel stress: Delays, long layovers, and overstimulation add strain, especially when sleep is lost.
Diet and hydration: Unfamiliar foods, alcohol, or unsafe water can cause fatigue, disorientation, or mood instability.
During my Guyana trip, the unexpected layover shattered my sleep schedule. Overstimulation made rest impossible, and what felt like “energy” was really the onset of mania.
It’s important to normalize these ebbs and flows. Experiencing symptoms abroad doesn’t always mean you’re spiralling—it may simply be your body adjusting. Instead of panicking, lean on the structure, routines, and healthy habits you rely on at home. Rest when possible, release energy in healthy ways, and give yourself grace.
Rebuilding Routine in Small, Sustainable Ways
When travel pulls you off course, reestablishing even small routines can anchor your mental health.
Medication: Take doses consistently, at the same time each day, even across time zones.
Meals: Eat balanced foods on a schedule that mirrors home life.
Emotional check-ins: Journal or track moods nightly to regulate emotions.
If your trip is fast-paced, set reminders or alarms for structure. Create micro-rituals like unpacking in each hotel, repeating bedtime routines, or listening to calming music while getting ready. These small anchors help stabilize emotions and reduce chaos.
The Power of Predictable Habits in Unfamiliar Places
Predictability creates safety in new environments. For bipolar wellness during travel, lean on familiar habits:
Morning rituals: Just 10 minutes of journaling, meditation, or prayer can centre your day.
Built-in breaks: Schedule downtime between major outings to restore balance.
Sensory grounding: Drink the same tea, stretch, or use aromatherapy oils to recreate comfort.
These practices remind your mind and body that stability travels with you.
Final Thoughts: My Baseline Isn’t Just a Place—It’s a Practice
I once believed stability was tied to a fixed location. Now I know my baseline is portable—it lives in my choices, my breath, my rituals. Travel doesn’t mean abandoning structure, routine, or healthy habits; it means bringing them with me.
Yes, there will be times I lose balance through no fault of my own. But guilt only deepens the spiral. Compassion, rest, and gentle course-correction are what help me return to baseline.
I no longer push through symptoms to prove myself as a “good traveler.” I pause, check in, and trust myself. Travel is a radical act of self-trust—sometimes smooth, sometimes difficult, but always worth it.
Because no matter where I am in the world, I deserve stability, healing, and adventure.
To my readers: What small habit brings you home to yourself—no matter where you are?
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