Imagine you’ve just landed back in the US after your first international getaway. It was amazing. You watched everything you’d ever dream about unfold before your eyes. The only thing you can think about is recollections from your time abroad and you return home refreshed. Then, suddenly an intense sadness comes over you as soon as you step through your front door. The next day comes and you return to work, but things aren’t the same. You keep reminiscing on your trip, and despite your grand experience, you feel incomplete. If you’ve ever felt this way, you might have experienced post travel depression.
Although it’s not clinically recognized as a medical condition, Medical News Today describes post travel depression as a state of depression many people experience after returning from a vacation. For me, this feeling was the most profound after coming home from Belize after my first international trip.
Wanderlust Woes
My trip to Belize was everything I’d ever imagined. The perfect blend of tropical, jungle vibes and beachside views, I returned home feeling inspired and ready to tackle the world. However, when I got home, those feelings began to fade.
While I didn’t know what post travel depression was at the time, many people worldwide had experienced this sensation. The term was first coined in the 1950s and travelers have often experienced it after their first voyage abroad.
The biggest reason I felt depressed after my first international trip was a result of wanderlust woes. Although I’d traveled subtly with my family as a child, I was still a novice explorer. My Belize trip ignited a wanderlust flame within me that was extinguished once I landed back in St. Louis. I felt like the spark was gone ridden with an uncertainty that it would never return.
Coping With Post Travel Blues After Your First Trip Abroad
There were a few things I did to bounce back from the post travel depression I experienced after my first international trip. The first thing I did was start curating an atmosphere in my home that replicated the vibes in Belize. The tropical, rain forest energy was refreshing to me. I slowly began incorporating more plants, tropical decor and animals into my home environment.
I located the best Belizean cuisine in my area. Finding food from the country you’re missing is an excellent way to curb post travel depression by activating your tastebuds with the nostalgic flavors.
I also made sure to check out my photos and videos from Belize regularly until I no longer felt sad about being back home. Looking back on memories from my trip produced happy, serene emotions that counteracted the sadness following vacation’s end.