Traveling is a wonderful thing. It allows you to explore a different culture, try new foods, learn about our world, and so much more. However, with traveling comes many different anxiety-inducing. We have some tips to help ease stress ahead of your next adventure.
There are a lot of unknowns and things out of your control that can happen during traveling. From losing luggage to canceled flights, it can be quite stressful to travel. Before you go on your Euro trip – or perhaps a small weekend getaway – there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself better. The first thing to do is to plan out all your meals. Dr. Nina Vasan, a professor at Stanford and chief medical officer at Real, told Travel + Leisure, “Food can be a stressor for a variety of reasons. Maybe you’re hungry in transit. Or maybe you don’t see any food options you like. Think ahead about what you want to be eating and plan accordingly.” While we are planning in advance, it is also best to factor in extra time for whatever you are doing. Having time buffers will help if any delays or anything unexpected happen.
If something happens that causes your anxiety to heighten, one thing you can try doing is distracting yourself. Vasan suggested, “Find something you can do with your hands to channel nervous energy, like knitting, coloring, needlepoint, writing letters or postcards, and journaling.” She also suggested practicing mindfulness and deep breathing. So, if things become overwhelming, take a deep breath. Another way to reduce stress is by moving your body around. Vasan said, “Physical movement is incredibly helpful in reducing stress. Adding just five minutes here and there can be really helpful.” Also, if you know that you are prone to travel anxiety, packing something that, as Marie Kondo would say, sparks joy is a great idea. Having your favorite sweater or a new book can be extremely helpful in moments of stress to help bring joy and distract yourself.
Sponsored
Whether you are looking to go on a long trip to explore another country or a lovely weekend away from your busy life, traveling can be stressful. These tips will help you as you venture on your next vacation. Happy travels!
