Team Giggles is back to tackle a not-so-giggly subject: Post Trail Depression.
We've all been there--wrapping up a backpacking trip riding an adventure high, only to descend into melancholy after returning home. Join us as we explore where this phenomenon potentially comes from and ways we can try to cope with the often tough transition from trail life back to "real life".
We talk about the parallels between Post Trail Blues, Post Race Blues, and Post Adrenalin blues, shamelessly fangirl over Dr. Anne K. Baker and her...
Team Giggles is back to tackle a not-so-giggly subject: Post Trail Depression.
We've all been there--wrapping up a backpacking trip riding an adventure high, only to descend into melancholy after returning home. Join us as we explore where this phenomenon potentially comes from and ways we can try to cope with the often tough transition from trail life back to "real life".
We talk about the parallels between Post Trail Blues, Post Race Blues, and Post Adrenalin blues, shamelessly fangirl over Dr. Anne K. Baker and her impressive research on this subject, and are joined by a rotund fly who would not allow his operatic debut to go unnoticed.
We discuss the significance of the identity we develop on trail, and how perhaps holding on to this trail self can help ease the loss of all the things about being on trail that we love and desperately miss when we re-enter society.
We delve into our own experiences as well, discussing what the after-trail funk is like for us, and how the way Dr. Baker reframes this sensation as grief rather than depression strongly resonates for each of us.
As always, thank you for tuning in! We hope this episode holds some value for you.
Remember, if you are struggling, you are not alone. Please don't hesitate to seek extra support. One free option available 24/7, is the Crisis Text Line. Just text "HELLO" to 741741 at any time and you will be connected with a trained listener.
Take care of yourselves, Trekkies!
Send your Trail Blues stories, your love letters, hate mail, questions, comments, suggestions, and boot-shaped confetti to:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
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Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by the talented Peter J. Lehman. Give him a follow on Instagram to find his singles and albums, and to keep up with what he has going on:
@peterjlehmanmusic
And just in case you missed it, here is the episode on:
Nature and Mental Health
Do you want to join the Dr. Baker fan club? Check out her articles and interviews:
Post Trail Depression: It's Not What You Think
Trail Science: Grief, Depression, and Identity in the Time of COVID-19
(The following podcast interviews can be found on Apple, Spotify & other platforms)
Backpacker Radio Podcast, Episode #80: Dr. Anne Baker on Post-Trail Depression
Outside/In Podcast: "Even Hikers Get The Blues"
Other resources:
Post Adrenalin Blues by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D.
Understanding the Post-Race Blues by David Roche
