Travel can be a liberating and rewarding experience but it’s often accompanied by some degree of anxiety – particularly if you’re setting off for the first time. These tips may help you to claim control of your nerves so you can make the most of your adventures.
1. Plan ahead
Anxiety often stems from the unknown, so thorough planning can help to ease your fears. Once you have decided where you would like to go, you can begin the fun part – research! Resources such as Lonely Planet, Smartraveller and TripAdvisor can be useful starting points for the essentials, and then trusty Google should offer up a treasure trove of ideas. Just be careful not to plan too much – a loose itinerary allows you to be prepared, but gives you the flexibility to change your plans if desired.
2. Leader of the pack
When it comes to packing, you can’t go past the good old-fashioned list. To help keep track of the essentials, create categories such as clothing, toiletries and accessories. Try using an interactive packing list as a guide. Carry all your important documents in a travel wallet so they’re organised in one place, and store back-up copies in your luggage.
3. Time is of the essence
One of the most stress-inducing aspects of travel can be getting from A to B. Airports and other transit hubs can be hectic, leaving a lot of room for error. Your best bet is to overestimate the amount of time you will need before transit. For international flights, the rule of thumb is at least three hours before departure. This will allow you the necessary time to get through check-in, security and customs. Then, if you have time up your sleeve, you can shop, dine or lounge at your leisure.
4. Fear of flying
Many people are understandably concerned about flying, however, there are steps you can take in the lead-up to leaving that will help you face this fear. If you’re travelling with someone who is anxious about flying, being a good plane pal can ease stress all round.
5. Ensure you’re insured
One of the most practical ways to ease your mind on holiday is to purchase travel insurance. This really is an essential investment. You may baulk at paying a premium, but it’s better than covering the cost of an injury, lost property or cancelled flights. Travel can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be protected.
How do you deal with travel anxiety? Have you found any effective methods that you’d like to share?
Related articles:
11 travel tips you need to know
10 first-time travel mistakes
Tips for trauma-free travel
