Don’t let anxiety stop you from travelling

Did you know one of the biggest impediments keeping people from travelling is not actually finances but anxiety? For many people, the thought of leaving their comfort zones and exploring the unknown is enough to cause a panic attack. Having these fears make it harder for people to travel for work and for pleasure. It is true, that travel anxiety if often due to life anxiety. The more anxious people feel in their daily lives the more likely they will experience travel anxiety. However, travelling is anything but frightening, it can open up a whole new world for you and allow you to actually control that anxiety.

During my early teens I traveled from Port Shepstone to Cape Town multiple times alone. I remember my first solo flight, I was more nervous to check in my luggage and go through security than writing my final exams. It was daunting to say the least but eventually it became second nature. Those solo missions definitely helped my travel anxiety and now the thought of visiting any place excites me way more than it scares me.

1. Don’t make up scenarios – The narratives you make up in your head about something going wrong is all fiction. So, don’t waste your time worrying about what could happen.
2. Planes are safe – You have more chances being knocked down by a car than dying in a plane crash. #EnoughSaid
3. Take preventative measures – If you are worried about losing your passport or being hassled by strangers then take measures. Make copies of all your documents and store it in the cloud and purchase some pepper spray.
4. Research – Do some research about the places you are visiting so you know what to expect when you get there. Something that I like to do is use Google Street view to check out the surroundings near my hotel, so when I get there, it feels like I have been there before.
5. Get your body ready – Ensuring your body is ready for travel is one of the most important things you could do. Exercise and balanced blood sugar levels can be your best friend but most importantly getting enough sleep is key!

Remember, it’s all about baby steps. If your anxiety levels are higher than the norm, then begin with local holidays and extend yourself to global ones. Travelling definitely offers the soul so much more and it is not something you should ever miss out on.