The day I leave for vacation seemed like a good time to share my thoughts on travel anxiety.
In a few hours, I’ll be headed to the airport to start my much needed vacation in Paris! I’m so excited for this vacation –2019 has been a very full year, and the time to reset before 2020 is much needed. I’ll also be vlogging the trip again, and I’m so excited to share this trip with you all!
But anytime I travel, I get hit with a twinge of travel specific anxiety that I know many of you deal with, too.
What is travel anxiety?
A common and complex issue, causing people to feel anxious or depressed when preparing for a trip and the subsequent weeks leading it up to it. Some people have an underlying fear of travel, which manifests as anxiety in the lead up to a trip.
Personally, travel anxiety looks like…
- Having a reoccurring dream where I get the the airport only to find I don’t have a passport…getting through TSA and to the airbnb and then finding that my suitcase doesn’t have anything in it.
- Feeling panicky the closer I get to a trip
- Having trouble focusing and getting things done
- Falling out of my normal routines (sleep, morning, eating, etc)
One of the biggest to-dos on my pre-travel list was to get one last therapy visit in, which definitely helped and gave me some tools to get me through this trip. I wanted to pass some tips and tools that have worked (and are working) for me before I head off!
Determine what’s really causing your anxiety
Is it flying? Forgetting something? The place you’re going to? The group you’re traveling with (or without)?
For me, the logistics drive me crazy. My mind always jumps to not being ready for “the worst” to happen. I’m a planner, and it helps me feel better when I know I’ve mapped things out and have a plan.
Anytime I take a trip, international or domestic, I make a master document with literally anything and everything I need to know. I’ll add in my flight information, the address to where I’m staying, any attractions I want to see and their address and hours, literally everything goes in the doc.
I make it a Google doc and then save a version as a PDF so I can easily get to it, even if I don’t have wifi or service. Knowing I have all of the little details on hand is such a stress relief and helps quiet my travel anxiety.
Amp up your self care before, during and after traveling
Create routines that really help you to take care of yourself as you plan for your trip. Pack a little, but go to bed at a reasonable time. Check out attractions or things to do, but take time to prepare a healthy meal (however that looks for your) and stay hydrated. Having your body go out of wack will only make things worse.
As much as you can, slip in some of those self care rituals during your trip as well. If you usually meditate in the morning, do that. Indulge in some obligatory vacation cocktails, but also hydrate throughout! And make a plan to winding back down when you head home (I’m booking a facial).
Talk to your support system
Especially if they’re traveling with you! Feeling like you have to keep your anxiety to yourself will only make you more anxious. I know it can be hard to articulate when you’re in it, but it’s so important to do what you can to advocate and set boundaries for yourself. Be vocal about what you need, and make any modifications you need to along the way. It’s your vacation!!
Pack the essentials
The best thing about traveling with me? I’m allergic to literally everything and sensitive to most things — therefore, I’m a walking pharmacy!! It makes me feel so much better to know that anything I need to feel good or relax is right in my personal bag (never checked!!). In my bag, there’s always allergy meds, vertigo meds, vitamins, and a new addition — CBD oil to help me relax! I’ve been using the daily drops by Equilibria and I’m a BIG FAN! (You get 15% off when you use that link or the code amberburns).
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Your traveling anxiety will likely ebb and flow throughout your trip, which is normal and okay! At the end of the day, you’re on vacation with people you enjoy creating new memories. Take as many steps as you need to every day to manage your travel anxiety, and enjoy your trip along the way!