Travel Anxiety: Top 10 Tips | Mental Health

It's that time of year again where we're all excited to pack our stuff, jet off and enjoy some time in the sun abroad. Well...at least some of us look forward to it...

No, no. I joke. Of course I look forward to lying outstretched on a sun bed, feeling the sea breeze and lapping up the rays to getting a killer tan so all my friends back in England go green with jealousy when they see my snaps on Instagram.

Getting to the location is a whole new story

Since just before I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, travelling on any form of public transport has been an absolute nightmare for me. Especially airplanes. 

 I don't know what it is. Probably the whole hustle and bustle of having to get to the gate on time whilst going through various other things, such as security and the check in desks. It really doesn't help that my Dad nearly always decides to go to the toilet when the last call for boarding is announced...at a toilet that's about fifteen minutes away from our gate! 

Last year, I went on holiday to Malia in Crete with Tom. This was our first holiday together and he was beyond worried about how I'd be. To be fair, me having a hard time gave him a hard time, too. First, I thought I'd left my phone at home. Yes, this wasn't the end of the world because if this was the case, Tom would let me use his on the hotel wifi. But obviously, it's always more comfortable knowing you have access to your own phone and are using your own credit, rather than someone else's. 

 Then, I got stopped at security. This is my weak point. The irrational thoughts of what people are actually carrying in their bags, 'has someone snuck a package of cocaine into my hand luggage bag without me noticing?'. Y'know, the usual paranoia. Tom got through, but as soon as he saw me getting stopped and searched I saw his face drop. I panicked for about five minutes, but the security lady was really nice. And then she asked where my mum was because she thought I was only 14...

In December, I will be flying to Oman to see my fiancé's step father, who is an ex-pat out there. This will be one of my longest flights, as I will be on two separate planes. One flight is going to be an hour and a half, the next....8 hours. Ouch! This will be really testing for me, but at the same time a whole new milestone for improving my mental health and travel anxiety. 

My point is, travel anxiety is very, very common. You don't even have to have general or social anxiety disorder to experience it. It's just one of those things that makes some people's skin crawl when they think about it. Others? They're fine. Everyone has their own fears. And it's ok to have travel anxiety too. But remember, there are people out there to help and keep you safe whilst you travel abroad, to work, or to the centre of the city for a shopping trip! For example, the British Transport Police and the person in charge of controlling and driving the vehicle/aircraft. 

To offer further reassurance, here are my top 10 tips to keep those worries at bay when travelling:

1. Plan ahead: The best way to make sure nothing goes wrong. I too, get worried that something is going to go drastically wrong (i.e. having the wrong change for the bus fare, not having my passport in my hand luggage for check in or boarding). Create a check list ahead of your journey, and on the day before run through it to make sure everything is ready. If not, you then have the full day to get it sorted!
2. Take a picture of the registration plate: This is probably my most important tip for if you're travelling to or from a location via taxi. A common example of this would be going on a night out and getting a taxi back to yours alone. To cover your own back and protect yourself, take a photograph of the registration plate then send it to your friends. That way, if anything were to happen that seems slightly dodgy they can support you in ensuring you get back what you deserve. 
3. Seek therapy: If it gets too much, therapy can really help! There's therapists out there who use hypnosis and teach mindfulness as a coping mechanism, so it's really worth having a look into ahead of your journey. Alternatively, mindfulness apps are available on app stores for Android and Apple devices
4. Keep yourself occupied: There's nothing worse than solely focusing on your anxious thoughts while stepping out of your comfort zone. Whilst planning ahead, make sure you pack loads of things that will keep you busy during your journey. I have said it before like 1 million times, and I will say it again, colouring books for adults have been proven to reduce the build up to and symptoms of a panic attack within less than twenty minutes. As well as this, crosswords and other puzzle books can be really good at side tracking you from what ever stresses you out about travelling. 
5. Ask questions: Air hostess's, bus conductors and taxi drivers are (usually) more than happy to answer any queries you may have about your journey and the mode of transport you're using. As well as this, they're 99% likely to have experience in dealing with worried passengers. So don't worry, if you ask them questions about the likelihood of something going wrong they won't automatically judge you and think you're bonkers!
6. Don't scare yourself: A pretty self explanatory point, but if you're flying to Marbella for your holibobs first thing tomorrow morning, don't watch a documentary that gives you a brief history of the top ten worst flight accidents ever. Sounds like a pretty silly idea, right? People really use this as a coping mechanism and try to reassure themselves that these incidents are 100% unlikely to happen to them during their travels, because there were various and completely wacky circumstances in incidents mentioned in documentaries. In actual fact, it will make things 100 times worse. If you really want to put your mind at rest and look at the statistics, ask an air host/hostess! They will offer reassurance too. Considering that 1000's of planes fly across our sky every day and night, and there's only one or two reports (at the most) a year of accidents, you're in pretty safe hands!
7. Tell someone: If you're travelling alongside someone and they don't know about your thoughts and feelings towards travelling, let them know! That way, they can help you cope with any negative thoughts and feelings with you by making interesting conversation, offer any coping mechanisms they may know of themselves, etc.
8. Avoid caffeine: At all costs. Drinks like Relentless, CocaCola/Pepsi, Monster, coffee, and even tea (!) all have high caffeine contents, which will produce adrenaline. If you have general/social anxiety like me, you will know that this adrenaline can spark feelings of anxiety and even panic attacks. Water and juice are the best drinks to have before, during and just after a journey! 
9. Wear your comfiest clothes: If you're going away, or somewhere where you don't have to look gleaming and gorgeous, wear something comfy! There's nothing worse then being in an atmosphere that makes you uncomfortable whilst in tight, smart clothes and killer heels at the same time! But, if they make you comfortable then, fair enough. I usually go for jeggings or track suit bottoms with a big, baggy jumper! 
10. Write out a pep talk: The final tip. And probably one of the most useful! Write yourself an encouraging message that will see you through your journey. Even if it means just scrawling "you can do it" all over the lines of the page. Whilst writing this, really believe it too. That way, when you read it the next day when standing on the platform waiting for that dreaded train, it makes it all the more convincing

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I hope you've enjoyed this post and found it useful. Please stay tuned for more upcoming blog and YouTube updates. Hopefully they will become a little more frequent in the Summer break, as I have bucket loads planned for you and I promise I will stay committed to it!

If you're going on holiday soon and find journeys nerve wracking, these tips should definitely get you through the ordeal. If any additional help is needed, go see a professional and get some real therapy or, drop me a message for further help.

Happy travels! 

Lots of love, Liv x