Take a pic, ease your mind: The simple vacation hack

Many people have experienced anxiety after leaving home. Did I turn off the stove? Are the doors locked? These thoughts can ruin any trip – instead of enjoying the vacation, the mind keeps returning to images of the apartment. Increasingly, people are admitting that they've found a way to alleviate this kind of tension.

A great method to alleviate these symptoms is to take a picture. People use their phones to take a photo of the stove, faucets turned off, or closed windows. Some record a short video showing the door being locked. Many who have started using this method claim it has significantly improved their mental comfort. It's worth noting that wondering whether something was done before leaving the apartment is a behavior most of us know.

These types of thoughts most often occur when we leave home for an extended period and involve a sense of losing control. This kind of caution is not alarming. However, suppose such thoughts start occurring frequently, even with daily trips to work, and are accompanied by strong tension. In that case, it may be a signal that we're dealing with something more – such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects about 2 percent of the population. It manifests as persistent, difficult-to-control thoughts that often cause strong anxiety. To alleviate this anxiety, people with OCD perform specific actions, known as compulsions. This might include repeatedly checking if the door is locked.

Obsessions can vary in severity – from mild, which only slightly complicate life, to severe, which prevent daily functioning. If you notice such thought patterns and behaviors in yourself, it's worth consulting a specialist. Treating OCD is possible and effective. It usually involves cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy.