Along with some important blogging necessities to bring along while traveling, there are some other must-haves. I’m not talking about toiletries and extra clothes, or first-aid kits, I’m talking about things to keep us going on those days when the last thing we want to do is sight-see. Little pieces of home. Things to pass the time on a rainy day, to help us relax or clear our mind. Four mental health necessities:
- Books. No, I’m not talking about guide books. I’m talking about real fiction here. While the world around us is always infinitely interesting, sometimes you need to escape to a new place. Perhaps chase down a serial killer for awhile. Or grab a sword and slay a dragon. Reading fiction helps exercise the creative side of your brain and opens you up to new ideas. Bringing two or three good books to read on those off days spent doing nothing will help out alot.
- Games. I’ll be bringing with me to Thailand a deck of cards and a wooden chess set. Cards are great – they take up a tiny space in the backpack and they are almost universal. You’ll always find someone to play a card game with. If you are feeling lucky you can even gamble away some of your hard-earned travel money. The chess set is a little different, it’s bigger, but not too big, and it takes more time to play. Bringing along some sort of game, be it cards or a book of sudoku puzzles will help you out when you don’t feel like trekking through the jungle or partying like a rockstar.
- Music. iPod, CD player, hell, maybe even a Walkman. Nothing soothes the soul like music, and there are bound to be times when all you need is a little soul-soothing. I recommend a nice iPod stuffed to capacity with a good mix of music, for any mood. Combine this with number one and get some audio books, if your eyes hurt. Or don’t.
- Your favorite candy from the homeland. This is only to be used as a last resort. If you’re down and out, in a strange and foreign land, with nobody to talk to, nobody to care, and you have had enough of trying to understand the local tongue and the weather sucks, find a nice, secluded place, pull out your emergency Snicker’s bar, and enjoy sweet bliss. Go ahead, you’ve earned it. Savor the chewy goodness of the Swedish Fish. Treasure each individual M&M. Just make sure you’ve saved it for a rainy day.
Of course, most of the days traveling will be spent doing awesome traveling stuff. Because that’s what it really is all about isn’t it? Seeing new things, new places, new people? But there will come a day when all you want is that little reminder of home, or a few hours to let your mind rest. Make sure you bring some of these things for when the time comes.
What mental health necessities do you travel with?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Good advice! I think cards are a must as well as the Ipod, I’m going to have to prepare myself a nice playlist to remind me of home (by that I mean stupid songs that me and my friends dance around to when drunk)
Mine, I have to carry my So You Think You Can Dance collection with me
I’m a huge fan of the show, watching from 3 countries (US, Canada, and Australia). Being on the road makes it difficult to find them though..
@Poi – I’ve been thinking of a good traveling playlist to listen to on an off day. Gotta love the iPods!
@Dina – I’m a huge fan of Family Guy and Lost. I might smuggle a DVD or two with me. Don’t tell Jen.
Hahaha, I won’t tell
We love those shows too!