Looking for the best travel anxiety tips to help you relax before your next trip? Look no further! After years of traveling and experiencing pre-vacation anxiety, I have found the best ways to chill and enjoy your travels before they even start!
Travel anxiety can be the worst! It doesn’t matter if you are experiencing pre travel anxiety, flight anxiety, or even severe packing anxiety… your feelings are valid, and don’t worry, there are ways to fix this!
You thought you were the only anxious traveler? Oh, no! You are not alone! There are tons of us experiencing it, and after years of traveling, I am happy to share my travel anxiety tips to help you enjoy a stress-free travel experience!
So keep reading and take notes! Next time you go on vacation, you will feel more peaceful than ever!
This post highlights the best travel anxiety tips to help you relax before, and during, your next trip!
WHAT IS TRAVEL ANXIETY?
“What is travel anxiety?” That’s a pretty good question to ask. Chances are, if you are reading this blog post about travel anxiety tips, you already have an idea of what travel anxiety does to you and how it makes you feel. But maybe you are experiencing it and don’t even know about it…
So here is a quick definition of travel anxiety:
Travel anxiety is the feeling of anxiety someone experiences when they travel. Some will even avoid traveling due to this fear and unpleasant sensation. It can be caused by the fear of being in unfamiliar places or situations, but it can also stem from the stress of planning a trip. People with existing anxiety disorders might find that traveling make their anxiety symptoms worst.
If you’ve experienced it before, you know how consuming this feeling can be… It can literally make you stay in your hotel room for the entire duration of your trip, or even prevent you from going on the trip you spent hours planning. But don’t worry, I have a few travel anxiety tips coming up for you.
Bye-bye anxiety, you are going on the most peaceful vacation of your life soon!
PRE TRAVEL ANXIETY
1. STAY ORGANIZED WHILE PLANNING YOUR TRIP
This might seem like a basic tip, but believe me, if you plan everything beforehand and stay organized while planning your next trip away from home, you will reduce your pre-travel anxiety by a lot!
Most of us experience travel anxiety because of the feeling of being unprepared, thinking that something is going to happen, or that we are not ready for unexpected events. Well, organization is your best friend to prevent feeling this way.
I’m not saying that just by meticulously preparing for your trip, all your problems will go away, but you will feel more in control and much more serene about the things that might or might not happen.
“But, how to deal with travel anxiety if I’m not even traveling yet?” you might ask. Well, it’s easy! Take a look at this travel checklist and make sure all the points are checked.
If you want to deal with anxiety, you have to start preparing yourself better. The same way you would prepare for a conference or a show to make sure you are ready and that your anxiety isn’t going to get the best of you, you should prepare for your trip!
2. LEARN HOW TO PACK LIKE A PRO
Packing can be an absolute nightmare if you are not used to it or not organized. I used to be overwhelmed when I had to pack for a trip and would always wait until the last minute because I couldn’t be bothered to deal with the anxiety that came with it. But lucky you, I found the best solution!
INTRODUCING MY PACKING CHECKLIST!
Once you start using it, there’s no going back. I assure you that if you are experiencing severe packing anxiety, there is no better solution to overcome it and feel at ease.
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3. DEAL WITH FLIGHT ANXIETY
Whether you are dealing with flight anxiety or any other means of transportation, I got you covered, don’t worry!
Loads of people get anxious when the actual time to travel comes, and I get it. Flights and airports can be crowded, and that surely doesn’t help with your anxiety. The same happens with trains and train stations. For some, even getting in a car can be a nightmare and trigger severe anxiety.
But how do you deal with that feeling? Well, once again, by preparing yourself!
If you are flying or taking a train, arrive at the airport or train station well in advance. Also, make sure to have all your documents ready and be prepared for any unexpected events that might occur. Is your flight or train delayed? Don’t stress about it; you are already there. Can’t find your gate or train platform? Don’t worry; since you came early, you have plenty of time to find it. Honestly, being prepared will lower your travel anxiety, and you will feel much more relaxed. So just do it!
On the other hand, if you are driving to your destination, or being driven, and this gives you severe anxiety, try to figure out what is causing that feeling. Are you scared of driving in general? In this case, you might want to opt for another means of transportation. Are you scared of getting lost? Print out your itinerary in case your GPS stops working. Do you feel uncomfortable when there are a ton of people on the road? Leave as early as you can to avoid traffic jams.
Just figure out what is causing your terrible travel anxiety and find a way to ease your feelings. As we say, there are no problems, only solutions!
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EXPERIENCING TRAVEL ANXIETY DURING MY TRIP
4. HOW TO ADJUST TO YOUR NEW ENVIRONMENT
Now that you have overcome your pre-travel anxiety, it’s time to adjust to your new environment and try to ease your feelings to relax and enjoy your vacation.
Some of us feel uncomfortable and anxious about being in a place we don’t know. Whether it’s a public place or your hotel, it can trigger unwanted feelings and really ruin your trip. But don’t worry, I have some tricks for you!
Here are some travel anxiety tips to help you enjoy your time away from home:
If you are feeling anxious in your hotel:
- Bring Comfort Items: Try to bring objects or belongings that will make you feel at home. Can’t sleep without your teddy bear? Bring it with you; there’s no shame in that.
- Choose Accommodations Wisely: You need your place to be organized a certain way or have specific features to feel safe and anxiety-free? Nothing easier! Make sure beforehand that the accommodation you are booking meets your needs.
- Opt for Cozier Options: If your travel anxiety worsens in crowded hotels full of people you don’t know, opt for a cute Airbnb or a lovely family-owned bed and breakfast. You’ll be able to get closer to the owners, which will help relieve your anxiety and, who knows, maybe even make friends with them!
If you are feeling anxious in public places you don’t know:
- Research and Plan Ahead: Check the places you want to visit beforehand and gather as much information as you can. Once again, it all comes down to preparing yourself. By familiarizing yourself with the place before actually visiting, it won’t feel as new to you, and you’ll feel more relaxed.
- Identify Your Triggers: Identify what triggers your anxiety about new places. You don’t feel comfortable with the crowds in the toursitic spots? In that case, go early to avoid the masses. Are you anxious about getting lost? Plan your itinerary beforehand and follow it. Do you feel unsafe? Take basic safety precautions to ease your mind.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it until the end of this blog post: being well-prepared is key to managing travel anxiety.
5. PRACTICE ACTIVITIES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD
After all, vacations are made for relaxing and enjoying yourself. If all you want to do on your next trip is lay on the beach, get a tan, enjoy an afternoon massage, and have an evening cocktail by the pool of your hotel, that’s perfectly okay!
The same goes for sleeping in! If you want to sleep until noon because you’re tired from your day-to-day life and feel like you really need to rest, it is perfectly fine. If you feel good, I promise your anxiety will disappear in a matter of days, or even hours.
Don’t unnecessarily trigger yourself with things that make you feel like crap.
6. NEVER FORCE YOURSELF TO DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE
It should be the number one rule of your life, really, and not only when traveling. But hear me out: it is not always as easy as it seems, and we’ve all done things that make us feel uncomfortable because we felt obligated to.
Let’s say you are visiting a place famous for paragliding, but you are afraid of heights. Well, it makes sense not to trigger your anxiety by trying it if you know you can’t handle it.
Oh! I have another example for you…
Imagine you made new friends at the pool of your hotel, and they want to go out clubbing tonight. Don’t say yes just because you want to seem cool or don’t want to appear boring. If you’re not comfortable partying because the crowds in bars and discos make your anxiety skyrocket, why would you put yourself through that?
Social pressure is real, whether we are conscious of it or not. But one of the best travel anxiety tips I can give you is to try not to give in and do things you are not comfortable with just to say you did it… Or because it seems like the socially expected thing to do.
7. DEALING WITH FOMO
Ahhh, the famous FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out. Anxious traveler or not, we have all experienced it at some point. The truth is, there are a ton of activities to do and things to see in most of our favorite travel destinations. As travelers, we want to make the most of our trip and experience them all! But let’s be real for a second. Unless you spend a few months there, you will probably not be able to see and do everything your destination has to offer.
AND THAT’S OK!
See, I firmly believe that the problem with FOMO is that nowadays, with the internet, social media, and influencers, we have access to a lot more information. We know everything there is to do and see in a given place. And let’s be honest, we want to experience what our favorite influencers experienced on their last trip. Is it envy or jealousy? I don’t know… But know that this is totally normal and ok to feel this way. However, is it really worth getting anxious about it? I don’t think so.
Your travel anxiety will reach new heights if you try to fit everything into a short amount of time. You will be tired, feel like crap, and won’t even enjoy your vacation. What did we say before? If you feel good, rested, and relaxed, your anxiety will quickly go away!
So forget this FOMO and forget what other people have experienced before you. You are you, you are unique, and so is your vacation!
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TRAVEL ANXIETY TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
8. HOW TO STAY SAFE TO AVOID SAFETY CONCERNS
When traveling solo, your anxiety can worsen… And it is perfectly normal! You are alone, have to deal with everything, and make all the decisions by yourself. It can be a lot, and you can quickly feel overwhelmed.
But don’t worry, if you are feeling anxious about your safety when traveling by yourself, I have a few tips for you!
- Research the places you are going to beforehand: It doesn’t matter if you are traveling in Europe, South America, or Asia; there are unsafe places all over the world. By doing a quick research before your trip, you can easily avoid them! Believe me, knowing you are in a safe area will radically lower your travel anxiety.
- Don’t tell strangers where you are staying: Unfortunately, there are bad people everywhere… So avoid telling strangers which hotel you are staying at and always return safely to your accommodation. If that means paying for a cab, just pay for it. Your safety doesn’t have a price!
- Avoid telling people you are traveling alone: Solo travelers are an easy target for robbery, assault, etc. It is sad, I know. But since you are traveling by yourself, no one is watching your back. So unless you get to know the people you meet and feel safe with them, don’t mention that you are a solo traveler!
9. STRESSING ABOUT FEELING LONELY?
If you are anything like me, being by yourself for an extended period of time will trigger your anxiety. Don’t get me wrong, I love solo traveling! But I don’t love feeling lonely. The good news is, you will probably meet fellow travelers along the way!
The best way to meet new people while solo traveling is to stay in a hostel, where most solo travelers stay too, or go on guided tours!
Don’t forget to stay safe at all times, though… I understand you want to make new connections, but that doesn’t mean you have to blindly trust the people you will meet!
OTHER TRAVEL ANXIETY TIPS TO DEFINITELY GET RID OF IT
10. MEDITATION AND SELF CARE
Ready to rid yourself of travel anxiety for good? Here are some quick additional tips that you can apply to finally find peace before, during, and even after your travels!
Practicing meditation and self-care can be a game-changer when it comes to feeling anxious. Chances are, if you are experiencing travel anxiety, you are also experiencing it in your day-to-day life.
So why not try to focus on self-care a little more? Meditation, solo dates, rest, listening to your inner self and your body, etc. There are so many small changes you can make to your daily life that will help you feel your best. And believe me, if you feel your best all year round, chances are that you will feel your best when going on your next vacation!
11. NATURAL REMEDIES
As we all know, nature has been well-made, and that means you can find a multitude of natural remedies to help you calm down and get rid of your anxiety. Whether it’s travel anxiety or day-to-day anxiety, they can work like a charm!
I’m not a specialist in plants and natural medicines, so I’ll let you take a look at this website if you want to delve deeper into this topic.
But my two personal favorites that help me calm down every time are Lavender essential oil and Chamomile tea. For the essential oil, just rub a drop or two behind your ear, on the sides of your forehead, or on your wrists. Not only does it smell divine, but it will also help you get rid of all your stress. And as for the chamomile tea… Just drink a cup or a bowl before going to bed. You will sleep better, and as I’ve said before, if you are well-rested, half of your troubles will go away!