The art of coping with anxiety while traveling the world
If you deal with the occasional case of crippling anxiety like I do, planning a vacation can be overwhelming. From requesting time off to picking your destination, applying for visas, and even deciding what to pack – traveling can seem more like an impractical fantasy than a reality. Let’s talk about how I navigate these thoughts to make my travel dreams a reality.
Be okay with taking a break!
The very first step – as obvious as it may seem – is to be okay with taking a break. I have to start here because let’s face it – I am my own worst enemy sometimes. I know when I am tired, overworked, overwhelmed, and in need of some serious R&R. But what do I do? Anxiously keep toiling away at work and making longer and longer to-do lists. Can anyone else relate?
What about work-life balance?
I think we can all agree that the narrative around work-life balance isn’t really a narrative at all. It’s more like an unachievable golden standard we all lust over, hoping to achieve “happier” work and home lives. As a millennial, this is especially true because it feels like I cannot take a break without feeling guilty for it. We get a bad rep for looking out for our mental health and get vacation shamed when deciding to prioritize our personal needs. I say all this to say – it took me years to get comfortable with taking time off from work. Especially for longer periods of time.
Do not make the same mistake!
I know we’ve heard it all before but I’m here to remind you again – you ARE replaceable at your job, but not at home. Taking some time away won’t make you any less of an expert at your job. If anything it will only make you more productive! So the first step to taking that vacation (especially for someone who is anxious about taking it in the first place) is being okay with it.
A break is what you make it.
A break can mean a lot of different things to different people. For me, taking a break means taking some time to invest solely in myself. Take that seemingly never-ending to-do list and put myself squarely at the top. Making time to do something that brings me joy, something that makes me feel good, or sometimes… just doing nothing at all (and actually be okay with that!)
If you couldn’t tell by the name of my blog, my favorite thing to do in times where a little respite is necessary is to go and get lost. Get lost somewhere old, somewhere new, somewhere unknown. Leave the daily grind behind for a place where I can discover something new about the world and oftentimes something new about myself. I can’t think of a better way to take my mind off of the woes of corporate life and my job than escaping to somewhere new.
“Investment in travel is an investment in yourself.” – Matthew Karsten
So we’ve talked about the crucial first step for the disquieted traveler to get on the road… be okay with taking a break! What now? Just get up and go right? For the anxious traveler, it’s not really that simple. I’ve found some great online resources for managing my anxiety before takeoff and on my trip.
Tips for managing anxiety while traveling:
- Plan ahead! – Arriving somewhere with no plan is one of my worst nightmares and causes minor panic. You don’t have to have a hardcore itinerary for every day of your trip (I definitely don’t!) Having an idea of what you would like to do and when is a great way to have a little extra peace of mind when you travel. I usually like to book a walking tour on my first or second day. This allows me to get familiar with the area around me and learn about the local things to do.
- Practice relaxation techniques. – There are so many ways to mentally slow down and relax. Personally, my go-to is the Calm app because of the wide range of guided activities to choose from, so I don’t have to go it alone! There’s guided meditation, breathing exercises, relaxing sounds, sleep stories, and more.
- Positive affirmations. – I love affirmations! Reading or speaking them aloud will help reaffirm positive thoughts and feelings that are calming. They are a much-needed pick-me-up in trying situations. As much as I love using them, I am not the best at coming up with them on my own so I use the I am affirmations app. It sends me personalized affirmations throughout the day.
- Get moving! – Nothing relieves stress and gets your endorphins going like getting active. Running through a simple stretch routine or doing some light yoga is a great way to relieve stress and refocus your energy. Getting in a good workout or taking a walk helps too.
- Bring a friend. (If traveling solo, make a friend!) Not every trip has to be solo! Traveling with a friend or loved one can help make the overall experience less stressful by having a familiar face around. If you are traveling solo though, making a friend along the way with locals or other tourists can be quite reassuring.
- Stay positive! – It’s okay to have anxiety! I don’t let it bring me down. Just recognizing when it is affecting me so that I can deal with it in a healthy manner is huge.
I hope these tips help you in prepping for your next journey. Are you also an anxious traveler? What helps you cope with your anxiety abroad? Let me know in the comments!
