Managing Travel Anxiety

The world is an indisputably scary place these days. For some of us, that hits home more than others, making traveling uncomfortable and anxiety inducing. Whether it’s the thought of boarding a plane or convincing yourself you’re going to get lost in a new city, we’ve compiled a list of ways to help ease your biggest travel related fears.

Emotions can feel like an overwhelming tide. Start by making a list of what exactly about traveling scares you. It could be anything from leaving the stove on when you leave to missing your ride when you arrive, but the important thing is to write them down. Use the list to make sure you don’t miss anything before you leave home, or to keep track of the important things you’ve brought with you.

While you’re mid-air, you can’t call home and ask your spouse to close the bedroom window. But you can check that you have all the belongings that are supposed to be in your carry on. If you find your mind wandering to events you can’t control, take several deep breaths and focus on an object in front of you. If you have personal stress-relieving tactics, make use of these.

If you’re prone to poor directional skills or papers slipping into the bottom of your bag, consider making a travel binder or folder. You can print or screenshot the maps you’ll need, your travel details and itinerary, hotel reservations, and any other electronic or paper document you might want to reference. This will keep things in one place and still work even if you don’t have wifi! Consider making a relaxing playlist or packing your favorite novel as well. Whatever you do, don’t leave anything until the night before.

Perfection is an impossible standard, so don’t convince yourself you need to meet it. If you miss the bus and have to wait for another, you’ll still get to your destination. In all likelihood, you’ll look back on the trip and won’t remember any of the tiny details tying you up now. Keep your mind on the big picture, and visualize a red light or stop sign if your thoughts feel like a runaway train.   Traveling can be an enjoyable experience even if you have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. Perspective is key, and with a little practice, you’ll be relaxed in a faraway town before you know it. The tactics you use are simply a tool to help you live your best life!