Travelling is a wonderful opportunity to discover new things, interact with a different culture and see places you’ve only seen before in pictures with your own eyes. That makes it the favourite pastime of many people who enjoy novelty and adventures. However, there’s a downside to the excitement associated with travelling: the anxiety associated with it. Travel anxiety can arise for a multitude of reasons, from the stress of extensive travel plans to worrying about the possible issues that could arise during the trip, missing your flight, losing your luggage, or becoming ill. The simple fact that you’re in a new, unfamiliar place can sometimes be enough.
Anxiety is a daily problem for many people, and when you’re on holiday, it can really put a damper on your mood. To avoid this problem and make sure you can enjoy your trip to the fullest, you must identify the cause of your anxiety and discover the best ways to keep it under control. Here are some things you should be mindful about.
Plan ahead
One of the main reasons you can feel stressed before going on holiday is because you leave everything until the last minute. This creates uncertainty about your situation, and you might be concerned that you’ve forgotten to put something essential in your luggage, such as medication. You might not find accommodation anymore, or the costs could be too high, and you will exceed your predetermined budget. When you plan everything in advance, you avoid these uncomfortable scenarios.
Book everything before leaving, including your Stansted Airport parking spot, for a stress-free journey. You know that your vehicle is safe and sound at all times. If you’re concerned about running out of money, you can bring a credit card for emergencies. Keep maps with you at all times to combat the fear of becoming lost, and try to learn some essential words and phrases in the native language of the country or region you’ll visit.
Purchase travel health insurance before leaving, or check to see if your insurance plan covers injuries or sickness that can occur while abroad. Most policies typically include a list of providers in different areas worldwide.
Complete your responsibilities
Daily lives are hectic nowadays, filled with plenty of responsibilities. This can lead you to become a workaholic and feel like a fish out of water on holiday. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to prioritise your rest and relaxation as well. For many, leaving home can be a cause of considerable anxiety precisely because you’re concerned about having unfinished responsibilities at home. If you’re not travelling with your kids or pets, you might be concerned about their safety in your absence.
Even just being away from home can be enough to trigger an anxious episode. That’s why, on top of planning the itinerary for your trip and looking into Stansted Airport parking, you should also plan to be away from home to ease your worries. Creating a routine before you leave will ease your fears. For example, you can ask a friend to come by your place or even temporarily move in until you come back.
Not only does having a house sitter mean you won’t have to worry about your house being left unattended, but it also means that you’ll receive frequent updates. Not knowing what’s going on at home can exacerbate your apprehension since your mind will typically create scenarios doing such a situation, the majority of which will be negative. But when a friend is staying over, checking to see if everything is okay is only a call or text away.
Relaxation and distraction
However, you cannot become overly reliant on calling back or spend hours or even days preparing everything to the most minute detail before you leave. It’s also important to practise relaxation and learn how to keep intrusive thoughts at bay. If you find that it’s becoming increasingly tricky to banish incessant fears and concerns from your mind, and all your coping mechanisms cannot hold up anymore, it might be time to talk to a therapist. A professional will help you develop healthy routines so you can approach your anxiety healthily and find a way to manage it.
Meditation and mindfulness can help keep anxiety away. The best news is that you can practise it anywhere and anytime. All you have to do is relax your muscles and focus on your breathing. Ground your thoughts into the present and let any worries that might come into your mind float away. Don’t focus on them or begin pondering since that would immediately negate the purpose of meditation. Deep breaths allow your heart rate to slow down. Since more oxygen enters the bloodstream, your brain gets the message and begins relaxing as well.
Endorphins are released, and these ‘feel good” chemicals make you feel better instantly. You can also use distractions to take your mind away from the worries. For example, some people find that quiet activities, such as reading books or doing a puzzle, make them feel considerably better. These activities are also meditative and allow you to become completely immersed and calm your mind.
Strategies
Apart from meditating, there are several other ways to remain calm during situations where your anxiety levels are more likely to spike up. For instance, if planes are terrifying for you, you can block the noise out with your favourite music. Noise-cancelling headphones can help in this situation since they’ll shield you from any external stimulus.
Travelling with somebody else helps as well. If this is one of the first times you travel, it would be helpful to bring someone along who has been on planes more often and can talk you through the process. Demystifying everything that’s going on can instantly reduce your nervousness. Exercising before you fly can also help since, much like meditation, you’ll get an endorphins release that keeps your muscles loose and relaxed and eases your mind.
Travelling is a hobby for many people, but many struggle with anxiety regarding the whole process. If you’re one of these people, finding the right strategies to relax on your journey will make all the difference between a pleasant and unpleasant experience.