How to Handle Travel Anxiety: Tips for a Stress-Free Trip

Travelling to new destinations to escape and forget troubles can be a great way to unwind. Travel gives us the opportunity to discover new places, try new adventures, create new memories, and meet new people/groups and cultures. But many people deal with travel anxiety that can severely limit their enjoyment of their vacation.

Travel anxiety can be described as a fear or anxiety mechanism that can occur when stressors trigger a reaction in your body. Travel anxiety can build in your body and manifests as stress, tension, chills, or just an increase in blood pressure.

A person can have anxiety over travel (especially if traveling for the first time abroad), and later regret for not enjoying their vacation! This blog presents a few ideas on how to handle travel anxiety so that your travels are easy.

So, What is Travel Anxiety?

Travel anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness that many people face when they travel or when they are in the planning stages of travel. Feeling a little anxiety when you are about to leave your comfort zone is completely normal. But excessive anxiety could intensify the anxiety to the point where the travel that was once planned for relaxation can become frustration. The anxiety can lead to overthinking. It can stem from previous travels or it can even be about budgeting. These factors can mentally convince you about facing problems during the trip you have planned.

Those with such disorders more commonly experience anxiety with travelling. Some symptoms can be:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Diarrhoea or nausea 
• Trouble sleeping, insomnia
• Trouble focusing, decreased concentration
• Agitation, restlessness
• Panic attack
• Sweating, shaking, racing heart
• Dizziness, weakness, disorientation

Common Causes of Travel-Related Anxiety

Travel can provide several reasons for anxiety to arise. Some possible causes of anxiety during travel can be classified as fear of flying, fear upon trip, fear from prior and past incidents, and fear of not having enough money to travel. Let us discuss this in detail.

• Fear of flying: Many people are afraid of flying and experience travel anxiety when flying, especially before boarding the flight. The fear is due to flying high above the ground and even crashing. There are many triggers that can cause travel anxiety, such as air turbulence, take-off, and landing.
• Fear of injury or crime: Hearing lots of horror stories of injuries or crimes occurring in a location can affect someone's mental health. The individual may begin to associate their travel with tragedy.
• Fear of being out of comfort zone: Human bodies/brains respond well to classified information that they are familiar with, thus contributing to their comfort zone. When an individual is out of their comfort zone, it can increase overthinking and subsequently increase travel anxiety.
• Fear while on a trip: Most people do not have travel anxiety before initiating a trip; however, many experience it during the trip, especially on reaching their destination. The most common contributors of anxiety during travels are: Jetlag, feeling uneasy in a foreign location, language barrier, and shortage of money.
• Previous experiences: If you've had an unpleasant experience on a journey in the past, such as an illness, criminal action, accident, etc., it could leave a permanent mark in your mind and turn into an irrational fear of travel.
• Family history: There are inherited traits related to anxiety disorders and you may have developed travel anxiety because of your family history.

Also Read: 10 Tips To Deal With Financial Stress And Money Anxiety

Tips for a Smooth Travelling Experience

If you have travel anxiety that begins even before you are on the train or plane, knowing what to expect during the process can help! Here are the things to know:

Plan your budget: First, make a budget that includes travel, accommodation, food, sightseeing, shopping, etc. This will help you manage your money a little better on your trip.

Buy your traveling tickets beforehand: You don't want to be rushed into getting tickets at the last minute. For trains, you can book tickets on the IRCTC website or application 60 days in advance. For flying, you can buy tickets through third-party sites or the airline app.

Find the right place to stay: Choose an option that is safe, affordable, and close to the main attractions you want to see. The earlier you book your stay, the better the prices will be.

Make a plan: Write the locations you want to visit before you leave. This will help you maximise your time and not miss any important destinations.

Pack wisely: While packing your luggage, you should pack comfortable clothing and shoes that are suitable for the weather of your destination. Remember to keep essential things like identity proof, chargers, medicines, and cash.

Stay connected: Charge your mobile phone 100% before leaving. Keep a power bank and make sure you have an active internet connection in your mobile phone. This will help you check maps, book cabs and communicate back home.

Understanding the airport process:

• On reaching the airport, show your ticket and identity documents to the CISF security personnel at the entry gate.
• Place your bags on the scanner at the security check and walk through the gate with metal detectors.
• Look for your boarding pass online using the airline website or app. You can pick up your boarding pass from the airline counter or print from the self-service kiosks.
• Sign up on the DigiYatra app, if available at your airport, for quicker entry and security using facial recognition technology.
• Check baggage limits. Economy class can have check-in baggage limits of 15 to 25 kg and cabin baggage of 7kg. Premium classes offer more. Make sure to check the size and weight to avoid extra charges.

Know the railway station process:

• Travel with a print out of the ticket or carry an e-ticket in your mobile phone for your train journey along with a government-approved photo identification.
• Reach the station at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure to avoid the last-minute rush.
• At the station, confirm the platform number and the coach position to ensure you are going to the correct platform.
• Keep luggage nearby and do not leave it unattended. Generally, luggage capacity is around 40–70 kg, depending on the class of travel.
• If travelling by AC class, bedding is typically provided to the passengers. If travelling by Sleeper or General classes, you can bring your own bedsheet, if required.
• You can check live train running status, as well as ticket availability, using either the IRCTC app or website.
• Have the cash handy for food and small purchases within the train or the platforms. Most vendors, nowadays, accept UPI payments.

Also Read: Top 5 Ways to Be Financially Stable

Tips to Overcome Travel Anxiety

Travel anxiety can easily turn an exciting trip into an anxiety trip. Although not a medically recognised disorder, it will curtail your travel plans, or enjoyment while traveling. So, here are a few helpful tips on handling travel anxiety:

Know your destination: It is important to know the destination when you are planning a vacation, the tourist attractions, language, money/currency, transport/environment, risks, etc. If you stick to your plan, you will reduce anxiety.

Travel like a local: Tourists are easy targets for criminals and fraudsters. You need to do your best to look like a resident and travel like a local. When you have done your research on the destination, you will be able to pretend you know it all. This will make it much harder for scammers to scam you.

Research the destination: Knowing about the destination, such as its tourist spots, language, currency, transport system, risks, etc., is crucial while planning a vacation. Stick to a planned schedule to prevent anxiety.

Keep your documents safe: Being without your documents while travelling can be a difficult situation, especially when it comes to your identity card. Attempt to have at minimum two sets of photocopies of your documents, and put one in both your checked luggage and handbag. Also, keep emergency contact numbers, and inform your family about your travel plans for the day. 

Practice relaxation: Several techniques like box breathing or meditation are very effective methods for dealing with the anxiety of travelling. Practice the relaxation techniques frequently, especially during your trip, to help stay relaxed and lessen the effects of travel anxiety.

Better financial management: If your travel anxiety is finance-related, learn tricks to help manage better finances. Plan ahead, study the destination, budget for expenses, and plan a trip according to your budget.

How a Personal Loan Can Help You Travel Without Anxiety?

If your travel expenses are adding to your anxiety, you can consider applying for a Personal Loan. It can help you cover all your costs related to travel easily while keeping your savings intact and letting you enjoy your journey tension-free. At Hero FinCorp, you can get a Personal Loan of Rs 50,000 to 5,00,000 online with minimal documentation, competitive interest rates and flexible repayment tenures.

Conclusion

Travel anxiety can affect your ability to enjoy the trip and engage with your family or friends. By planning in advance, you can prepare yourself to reduce travel worries and enjoy the trip with no negative feelings. If travel anxiety is related to money matters, you can use an instant Personal Loan to eliminate the concerns of travel expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I control my anxiety when I go out?

Read about the place you are going to, practice relaxation and manage finances responsibly to control travel anxiety.

2. Will anxiety go away eventually?

People who rarely travel often face anxiety. The condition improves as they start travelling more often. Anxiety over travel also reduces as you get habitual to the new place and feel safe.

3. What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety?

The 3-3-3 rule is an easy way to control anxiety. It is done by identifying three things you can see, recognising three sounds you hear, and moving three parts of your body. It shifts your attention from your fears to the present moment.

4. What is the best way to beat anxiety?

Plan ahead, stay organised, choose comfortable travel options, practice deep breathing, and keep essentials handy to reduce travel anxiety.

5. What can calm anxiety fast?

Relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises can calm your anxiety fast.

6. Which fruit is best for anxiety?

Fruits like bananas, berries, and avocados are best for managing anxiety during travel. They are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

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