GUYANA
Wellness isn’t always found in the places we escape to. Sometimes, it’s found in the places that remind us who we are.
This past January, I traveled to Guyana for the weekend to celebrate my aunt’s 80th birthday. She’s my grandmother’s sister, one of twelve siblings who grew up together in a one-bedroom home in Georgetown, and makes the best curry chicken I’ve ever tasted! Like many Guyanese families, mine eventually migrated to the United States, making this trip feel less like a birthday party, and more of a homecoming.
The best part? Trading a New York winter for warm sunshine in January. Sometimes your nervous system simply needs a change of environment and pure vitamin D.
Located on the northern coast of South America, Guyana is known as the Land of Six Peoples, where Indigenous, African, Indian, European, Chinese, and Portuguese cultures come together to shape the country’s food, traditions, and way of life.
From evening walks along the Georgetown Seawall to a speedboat ride across the Essequibo River, every stop reminded me to slow down. We danced all night, picked tamarind straight from the tree, drank Banks Beer on the porch, listening to my family tell stories of “the good ol days,” spending hours doing what my family does best, simply being together.
Traveling as a Coping Strategy
Every destination teaches us something different. While Turks & Caicos reminded me to reconnect with nature and Ireland reminded me to slow down, Guyana reminded me that wellness is also found in culture, connection, and belonging. Here’s how.
Connection: Sharing meals, listening to family stories, and simply being together reminded me that meaningful relationships are one of the greatest protective factors for our mental health. Research consistently shows that social connection can reduce stress, increase resilience, and buffer against anxiety and depression.
Perspective: Immersing myself in Guyana’s culture, traditions, and history reminded me that stepping outside our everyday routines can broaden perspective. Exposure to new environments encourages psychological flexibility. This can strengthen the ability to adapt, reframe challenges, and respond more effectively to stress.
Presence: The sound of crickets at night, tropical rain on a tin roof, and afternoons spent on the porch made mindfulness feel effortless. Experiences like these naturally engage our senses, helping shift our attention to the present moment and giving our minds a break from constant stimulation and mental fatigue.
Belonging: Returning to the place where my family’s story began reminded me that identity and belonging are essential to well-being. Feeling connected to our roots, traditions, and communities can strengthen our sense of self, foster emotional security, and provide a foundation during times of stress or transition.
Planning Your Own Wellness Escape?
If you visit Guyana, don’t just check the landmarks off your list. Leave room to experience the culture. Walk the Georgetown Seawall at sunset, take a boat ride along the Essequibo River, taste the local food, and spend time listening to the stories of the people around you.
Some experiences can’t be explained, they’re better felt.
The sound of crickets filling the night.
The steady rhythm of rain falling on a tin roof.
The breeze that makes you linger a little longer.
The comfort of being surrounded by people who know you without needing an explanation.
Mental Helath Tip from your traveling therapist
Culture and connection are some of the greatest forms of wellness. Sometimes the greatest souvenir we bring home isn’t something we bought. It’s a deeper connection to who we are.
