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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryHow I Finally Learned to Manage My Anxiety While Traveling
Table of Contents:OverviewAnalyzing Travel AnxietyHow Can You Deal with Anxiety When Traveling?1. Pre-Planning2. Taking Action3. Self-Care4. VulnerabilityNo Waiting for the Next Trip
Anxiety DisorderRead Time: 7 Minutes
Published On: December 14, 2017
Updated On: November 3, 2023
OverviewHow many trips does it take to remember that packing only hours before a flight is an anxiety trigger? At least one more, I guess, because there I was, stuffing clothes into my suitcase and sporadically scanning a list of items I needed to bring.The feeling that I must be forgetting something carried over to the wee hours of the morning when I opened my phone to call a taxi. Confirming the ride only made the anxiety come on stronger. In a few minutes I’d be out the door and out of luck if I had indeed forgotten something.Waiting at the gate, I was mentally bouncing back and forth between what I could have left and the problems that could come up during travel. Would I arrive OK? Would there be delays? Will I miss my connection? Will there be taxis available if I arrive late? Am I going to get stuck next to somebody who snores on the plane?The questions of worry flowed freely through my mind.Fortunately everything went fine. That fact alone motivated me to do some digging about what I could do to make sure the return trip didn’t affect me so much. How could I reduce my anxiety when traveling?
Overview
How many trips does it take to remember that packing only hours before a flight is an anxiety trigger? At least one more, I guess, because there I was, stuffing clothes into my suitcase and sporadically scanning a list of items I needed to bring.
The feeling that I must be forgetting something carried over to the wee hours of the morning when I opened my phone to call a taxi. Confirming the ride only made the anxiety come on stronger. In a few minutes I’d be out the door and out of luck if I had indeed forgotten something.
Waiting at the gate, I was mentally bouncing back and forth between what I could have left and the problems that could come up during travel. Would I arrive OK? Would there be delays? Will I miss my connection? Will there be taxis available if I arrive late? Am I going to get stuck next to somebody who snores on the plane?
The questions of worry flowed freely through my mind.
Fortunately everything went fine. That fact alone motivated me to do some digging about what I could do to make sure the return trip didn’t affect me so much. How could I reduce my anxiety when traveling?
Analyzing Travel AnxietyBased on my experience and research, travel anxiety boils down to the following four main causes.Cause #1: Leaving Your Comfort ZoneThink about what you are familiar with: your friends and family, your room, your bed, your pets — all of those daily things that eliminate anxiety because you know them so well. Leaving this comfort zone makes us feel anxious because our brains interpret uncertainty as possibilities of danger.Cause #2: Tales of Bad ExperiencesThese come typically from hearing tales of travel secondhand and the American mainstream media does a good job of fear mongering. Their tactic leads us to believe the outside world is filled with uncertainty and danger: terrorism, drug gangs, kidnapping, disease. This mindset only serves to make us believe we are better off to stick around our familiar places. We’re also more likely to hear horror stories from friends than great experiences (kind of like how you’re more likely to leave a bad Yelp review than a positive one).Cause #3: The UnknownsTraveling inherently introduces a long list of unknowns we can try to control but inevitably have to surrender. Where am I going to have stable Internet to call my family? Is the time difference going to make it impossible to call? Will an unexpected storm roll in, making me need items I haven’t packed? Will I be able to speak the language? Will I know how much I’m actually spending with the exchange rate? Will my accommodations be as they were described when I booked them? These unknowns increase the amount of uncertainty regarding concerns that are important to the anxious traveller.Cause #4: Fear of FlyingOur brains’ interpretation of danger is what sparks anxiety, so fear of flying is an obvious trigger — one of mankind’smost common fears. Fingers clinging to the arm rests. Hot flashes and sweating. A dry throat. These symptoms aren’t easy to shake if you have fear of flying.Again, the main culprit here is uncertainty. Not knowing what is lurking around the next corner is our biggest enemy. Bags or reservations getting lost are just a couple of fears that stay top-of-mind on the list of worries when we’re on the road.
Analyzing Travel Anxiety
Based on my experience and research, travel anxiety boils down to the following four main causes.
Cause #1: Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Think about what you are familiar with: your friends and family, your room, your bed, your pets — all of those daily things that eliminate anxiety because you know them so well. Leaving this comfort zone makes us feel anxious because our brains interpret uncertainty as possibilities of danger.
Cause #2: Tales of Bad Experiences
These come typically from hearing tales of travel secondhand and the American mainstream media does a good job of fear mongering. Their tactic leads us to believe the outside world is filled with uncertainty and danger: terrorism, drug gangs, kidnapping, disease. This mindset only serves to make us believe we are better off to stick around our familiar places. We’re also more likely to hear horror stories from friends than great experiences (kind of like how you’re more likely to leave a bad Yelp review than a positive one).
Cause #3: The Unknowns
Traveling inherently introduces a long list of unknowns we can try to control but inevitably have to surrender. Where am I going to have stable Internet to call my family? Is the time difference going to make it impossible to call? Will an unexpected storm roll in, making me need items I haven’t packed? Will I be able to speak the language? Will I know how much I’m actually spending with the exchange rate? Will my accommodations be as they were described when I booked them? These unknowns increase the amount of uncertainty regarding concerns that are important to the anxious traveller.
Cause #4: Fear of Flying
Our brains’ interpretation of danger is what sparks anxiety, so fear of flying is an obvious trigger — one of mankind’smost common fears. Fingers clinging to the arm rests. Hot flashes and sweating. A dry throat. These symptoms aren’t easy to shake if you have fear of flying.
Again, the main culprit here is uncertainty. Not knowing what is lurking around the next corner is our biggest enemy. Bags or reservations getting lost are just a couple of fears that stay top-of-mind on the list of worries when we’re on the road.
How Can You Deal with Anxiety When Traveling?With my new found insight, I wanted to dig deeper into actionable tasks to reduce my anxiety when I travel. After all, I had a return trip to use as an experiment.After weeding through a lot of information from a variety of sources—travel bloggers to therapists—I whittled it all down to four areas to focus on, each with multiple tips for how to control anxiety during the coming and going.
How Can You Deal with Anxiety When Traveling?
With my new found insight, I wanted to dig deeper into actionable tasks to reduce my anxiety when I travel. After all, I had a return trip to use as an experiment.
After weeding through a lot of information from a variety of sources—travel bloggers to therapists—I whittled it all down to four areas to focus on, each with multiple tips for how to control anxiety during the coming and going.
- Pre-PlanningPack a Couple Days in Advance So You Aren’t RushedIs it obvious why I am including this one? Learn from my (repeated) mistake. It helps ease the pressure and gives you time to make sure those “Did I forget that?” items are in the bag.Put Some Anxiety Comfort Money in the Travel BudgetWe all have bad days. It happens. Buffer your travel budget so you can treat yourself in case one springs up while you’re travelling. Try anything you find comforting, whether it’s ice cream, a new comfy sweater, or a massage.Distract Yourself with Things You LoveDo have something that gives you a boost when the going gets tough? Take that favorite book pillow, sweater, friend, or whatever you can. The anxiety might slip away.Research Everything About the PlaceLeave no travel book, travel blog, or YouTube channel unturned! Get a boots-on-the-ground perspective from multiple points of view to help you create your own opinion. Videos are great for helping you get a visual so the location seems a little familiar.Visit a Place During Off SeasonAre crowds one of your triggers? Avoid peak season to reduce anxiety that comes from getting lost in the masses.
1. Pre-Planning
Pack a Couple Days in Advance So You Aren’t Rushed
Is it obvious why I am including this one? Learn from my (repeated) mistake. It helps ease the pressure and gives you time to make sure those “Did I forget that?” items are in the bag.
Put Some Anxiety Comfort Money in the Travel Budget
We all have bad days. It happens. Buffer your travel budget so you can treat yourself in case one springs up while you’re travelling. Try anything you find comforting, whether it’s ice cream, a new comfy sweater, or a massage.
Distract Yourself with Things You Love
Do have something that gives you a boost when the going gets tough? Take that favorite book pillow, sweater, friend, or whatever you can. The anxiety might slip away.
Research Everything About the Place
Leave no travel book, travel blog, or YouTube channel unturned! Get a boots-on-the-ground perspective from multiple points of view to help you create your own opinion. Videos are great for helping you get a visual so the location seems a little familiar.
Visit a Place During Off Season
Are crowds one of your triggers? Avoid peak season to reduce anxiety that comes from getting lost in the masses.
- Taking ActionA Breathing ExerciseTime and time again, we hear about howbreathing calms anxietyand brings us back to homeostasis. There are tons of apps to help us synchronize our breathing with a rhythm and get to a calmer state.Distract Yourself with Comforting MusicGrab your headphones and throw on your favorite song, album, or playlist. Music has a greatpotential to uplift our moods, and nothing does that like our favorite tunes.Identify Your TriggersGrab a pen and paper, then take some time to reflect on a moment ofanxiety or panic. Write down what you determine are possible triggers.Put a Positive Twist on the Negative ThoughtsIt’s all too common for our thoughts to get twisted up in the cloud of negativity that uncertainty and anxiety form over our travel adventures. Use your imagination to play the positive side and create a story where things work out seamlessly.Call Home for Some SupportThe Internet has opened up so many options for phone and video calls. A comforting conversation with someone back home is really only a matter of having decent wifi. All the options for messaging apps make setting a time a breeze.
2. Taking Action
A Breathing Exercise
Time and time again, we hear about howbreathing calms anxietyand brings us back to homeostasis. There are tons of apps to help us synchronize our breathing with a rhythm and get to a calmer state.
Distract Yourself with Comforting Music
Grab your headphones and throw on your favorite song, album, or playlist. Music has a greatpotential to uplift our moods, and nothing does that like our favorite tunes.
Identify Your Triggers
Grab a pen and paper, then take some time to reflect on a moment ofanxiety or panic. Write down what you determine are possible triggers.
Put a Positive Twist on the Negative Thoughts
It’s all too common for our thoughts to get twisted up in the cloud of negativity that uncertainty and anxiety form over our travel adventures. Use your imagination to play the positive side and create a story where things work out seamlessly.
Call Home for Some Support
The Internet has opened up so many options for phone and video calls. A comforting conversation with someone back home is really only a matter of having decent wifi. All the options for messaging apps make setting a time a breeze.
- Self-CareDon’t Let Vacation Kill Your Health HabitsIf you have a health routine, like drinking a few liters of water a day or going to the gym three days a week, don’t sweep it under the rug. Research shows these habits helpreduce anxiety and stress.Take Breaks During TravelTravel is often a go, go, go experience — you want to see all of the sights after all — so it’s important to remember to stop and give yourself some time. Stay in bed as late as you want and say no to outings when you don’t want to go. Don’t feel guilty about hitting the pause button.
3. Self-Care
Don’t Let Vacation Kill Your Health Habits
If you have a health routine, like drinking a few liters of water a day or going to the gym three days a week, don’t sweep it under the rug. Research shows these habits helpreduce anxiety and stress.
Take Breaks During Travel
Travel is often a go, go, go experience — you want to see all of the sights after all — so it’s important to remember to stop and give yourself some time. Stay in bed as late as you want and say no to outings when you don’t want to go. Don’t feel guilty about hitting the pause button.
- VulnerabilitySearch for SimilarityIt is so easy for us to focus on difference, and with difference comes uncertainty. Practice pointing out all the similarities you see between your travel setting and your home setting. Then, move on to trying this cognitive strategy with people. What similarities do you share with those in your new surroundings?Difference makes us think we don’t fit in, and that can be isolating. Similarity, however, makes us feel a part of the group.Embrace the World of VulnerabilitySharing vulnerability with others, whether you’ve known them for years or hours, brings people closer together. An amazing part of travel is people who barely know you are willing to comfort you like an old friend simply because of shared vulnerability.
4. Vulnerability
Search for Similarity
It is so easy for us to focus on difference, and with difference comes uncertainty. Practice pointing out all the similarities you see between your travel setting and your home setting. Then, move on to trying this cognitive strategy with people. What similarities do you share with those in your new surroundings?
Difference makes us think we don’t fit in, and that can be isolating. Similarity, however, makes us feel a part of the group.
Embrace the World of Vulnerability
Sharing vulnerability with others, whether you’ve known them for years or hours, brings people closer together. An amazing part of travel is people who barely know you are willing to comfort you like an old friend simply because of shared vulnerability.
No Waiting for the Next Trip
It was a couple days before I was set to fly out. I was thinking about whether or not I should pack.
“That’s it!” I thought, and got up to go organize my stuff. Not leaving this for the last minute did make me feel better. It also helped me more efficiently organize my luggage because I had to decide what I would need for the next two days. It’s an effective planning exercise for anyone who procrastinates.
Sometimes taking action is the only thing we can do to control uncertainty. Anxiety might to rear its head, but the actions we take help us minimize the frequency and reduce triggers.
Before I got in the cab to the airport, I downloaded an app to guide me through a breathing exercise in sudden moments of anxiety. Also, I bought a notebook to write down thoughts, fears and triggers. Journaling them helped me rationalize some things I was giving too much control to.
Bio: Jairet is the marketing manager atYouper, the number one app forunderstandingandovercoming social anxiety. He writes aboutwork relationships,making friends,presentation skills, andtools and resourcesfor overcoming social anxiety.
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