It was only a short trip away but the loss of routine and the lack of home comforts always multiply my travel anxiety. The odd thing is that I love travelling and I love exploring and discovering new things. However, the hardest moments for me are the evenings and mornings alone in my room with my thoughts. I start imagining the weirdest scenarios of what could happen to me, my dogs back at home or even the hotel I’m staying in. Could it burn down? Could someone break into my room? 

Constant Fight or Flight

Sometimes I’m fascinated by it all and other times just simply nervous with my travel anxiety. I’m intrigued how much my brain is in constant fight or flight with such fear of the world. I know I learnt to mistrust the world through narcissistic and neurotic parents but it’s still interesting how much my brain is hard-wired. It doesn’t matter how many times I logically explain to myself that everything is fine, my brain is still fighting for survival. 

Old Habits Linger

Things are easier than some years ago but even the fact that I couldn’t write my blog or do my meditation during my recent trip is a key sign that I was essentially ‘out of whack’, thanks to my travel anxiety. And so what did I do … find the only bar in town with what used to be my only friend when I was a child: a book. The old habits and patterns are hardest to change when faced with stress or anxiety. 

So, How to Manage the Next Trip? 

1- Routine

I forget that I can use my ipad or even my phone to help me with a yoga or meditation session… sometimes it’s ok to get help 

2- Walk

Go exploring and take your mind off things and exercise at the same time

3- Research

It sounds obvious but the hotel and area I stay in make a huge difference but sometimes I stupidly forget to give myself enough time to research properly 

4- Plan Ahead

Arrive early and plan for traffic … I hate having to run for a flight. But also plan fun things to do which could even be as simple as talking to someone in a shop to feel connected in a strange place

5- Manage Self-Talk

It’s tempting to fight the brain but sometimes working through the worst-case scenarios and viewing them as if a friend was explaining them to you can alleviate their impact. Sometimes they can even be funny at how unlikely they sound. And then you can perhaps even turn the phrases around into positive ones… 

I realise it’s all easier said than done so let’s see how I get on with my next trip…