How does traveling affect the psycho-emotional state?

Long gone are the days when travel was all about luxury. Now it’s about psychological rehabilitation. The need for endurance and “running the long distance” at a time when a protracted war is exhausting.

Many people want to feel safe, to breathe out, to fall asleep without night worries. Those who live on the territory of Ukraine all this time are in constant tension and need to defend themselves. Therefore, traveling serves as a kind of psychological help.

On the one hand, we hear people who want to travel and are traveling, but are worried about appropriateness. On the other hand, these are people who, above all else, want to rest and distract themselves.

We met with psychologist-physiognomist Kateryna Karuna, who helps people to work through trauma during the war, to raise the topic of “Tourism as psychological rehabilitation”

Kateryna, what does travel help you with right now?
Today, traveling for Ukrainians is not only a vacation. This is an opportunity to get new emotions, pleasant impressions, and to accumulate strength. Travel is self-help.

Is it appropriate to feel guilty about being able to travel?
It is better to work out the fault with a specialist. Traveling is an opportunity to recover and gain strength, and children are helped to distract themselves.

How did people’s values ​​change with the beginning of the war?
They began to afford what they had been putting off before: getting to know new countries, rest. The time with family and loved ones, the opportunity to share pleasant experiences became especially valuable.

And what to do for those who do not have the opportunity to go on vacation now?
To begin with, you need to admit to yourself that you are tired. Then determine the dates for rest when you go and for how much. To help yourself not to burn out, you need to find time before your vacation when you can rest and gain strength. This specific date will help you last all this time.