Prime travel season is just around the corner and while you’re in need of a break from your normal life, there’s this inner fear or panic that prevents you from getting as excited as you should be. The idea of traveling outside of your comfort zone makes you apprehensive. Whether it’s the thought of getting on a plane, meeting new people, or even trying new things, it can make you feel insecure, afraid, and, unfortunately, not thrilled about getting away.
Canceling your trip or avoiding far off destinations, however, deprives you of being able to get the full experience of a vacation. You miss out on the opportunity to learn more about the world around you and quite frankly, discover more about yourself. Traveling helps to improve your mood, reduce stress, ignite creativity, and cultivate bonds. If your anxiety has been holding you back, here are some tips to get past it so that you can have an amazing time:
Travel with Friends or Family
For someone with travel anxiety, going it alone only makes you a bit more fearful. Instead, try planning trips with individuals you feel comfortable with like your friends and family. Not only will their presence help to ease your nerves, but if they’re aware of your anxieties, they can be a source of help when you get fearful.
Bring Things That Provide Comfort
Try to prepare for your anxiety or panic attacks in advance by bringing things with you that provide comfort. If you’re afraid of flying, for instance, you might take a CBD supplement before boarding the plane to calm your nerves. (Does CBD show up on drug tests? Don’t worry, your job is safe as CBD is not a drug that is tested for.) You might also download your favorite list of music to listen to while traveling to your destination or bring along your favorite pillow and comforter for a better night sleep. Whatever helps to calm your nerves during travel (within reason) bring it with you.
Learn Relaxation Techniques
Having a few relaxation techniques up your sleeve is a good idea with travel anxiety. You never know when you might feel triggered, but you want to have a safe way to recenter and calm down. Meditation and positive affirmations are just two concepts that can be used to help reduce your anxieties. Taking a few deep breaths, refocusing your attention, and positively stating that everything is just fine can make a huge difference.
Plan a Detailed Trip
One of the biggest triggers for anxiety is fear of the unknown or lack of control. Though you can’t control every aspect of traveling, there are a lot of elements you can. Create an itinerary of things you’re going to do once you arrive, review the location’s public transportation schedules to get a clear idea of how you’ll get around, and learn as much as you can about the hotel you’re staying in or attractions you plan to visit. Knowing in advance where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, how to get around, what the culture is like, and more can greatly reduce your fears.
Whether you’ve been in an accident while traveling, are nervous about meeting new people, or are fearful of leaving where you’re most familiar, there are ways to get past it. There’s so much to benefit from by getting away from the norm, and you don’t want to let your anxiety get in the way. Utilizing the above-mentioned tips will help to ease some of those fears so that you can get away and have a great time.
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Thanks for the advice. Anxiety can cause a lot of issues, especially when traveling.