Traveling can be a fun and exciting way to experience the world and explore the unknown. However, many people feel weighed down by anxious thoughts and feelings as they travel outside of their home state or country. Anxiety while traveling can make it difficult to get through the airport, the plane ride or even driving around in an unfamiliar place.
Coping Strategies for Travel Anxiety
People who experience travel anxiety generally feel that way because of a lack of control over their environment. They may have a fear of flying or a general phobia of being in unknown situations where they don’t know what to expect. Having coping mechanisms in place to deal with the stress of traveling can help prevent anxiety from causing issues on a trip out of town.
Bringing items with you that ease your anxiety can help make traveling a more pleasant experience. Calming music, books, a journal to write in, aromatherapy or anything that relaxes you can be useful for a stressful plane ride. Making sure that you have comfort items with you at all times can be helpful in allowing you to feel more at home in a new place.
Breathing exercises and meditation can be very helpful for people that have a fear of flying. Deep breathing and focusing on the breath can allow you to take your mind off of negative or anxious thoughts. Mindful awareness is another strategy that can help you stay focused on your breath and what you are experiencing in your body rather than allowing thoughts to get out of control.
Traveling anxiety can be a real problem but it is possible to manage it by figuring out which coping strategies work best for you. Trying out different methods can help you narrow down the tools that help you feel the most relaxed and minimize anxiety.
