Earlier this month, I went on a two-week vacation from Michigan to Florida, which meant leaving snow, gloom and temperatures in the 30s and 40s for sun, beaches and temperatures in the 70s and 80s.
You would think, with getting time off work and going some place warm, I would be ecstatic. But, in fact, I was anything but.
That's because I struggle with travel anxiety.
Whether by plane, train or automobile, some causes of travel anxiety may be a fear of flying, worry about traffic accidents, a loss of control in unfamiliar environments, logistical worries about planning the trip itself, and challenges of being away from the comforts of home.
If I want to psychoanalyze myself, I can probably trace my vacation-related anxiety back to a trip I took to London when I was 19. The first day, my wallet was stolen. I lost my ID, my credit cards, my recently converted British pounds, and all my pre-paid tickets to events. Since I've had generalized anxiety disorder pretty much since I emerged from the womb, this event only exacerbated the anxiety I already had.
Now, I become an anal-retentive mess during the days and weeks leading up to a vacation. I become obsessed with the thought of forgetting or losing something. Add on having to worry about packing for a 7-month-old baby, instead of just myself, and this obsession reached astronomical levels this time around.
It also doesn't help that I tend to focus on worst-case scenarios. We traveled by car to bring all of our infant's necessities, and I kept thinking, "What if we get in a car accident? What if the baby screams the whole 20+ hours? What if the car seat hurts his developing body?" And, then, obsessively Googling best practices for long car journeys with a baby.
I won't lie and say that traveling with an infant was a walk in the park, but, of course, none of my worst-case scenarios happened either. While it is good to be prepared, getting stuck in a cycle of catastrophic thinking is usually unproductive and causes unnecessary distress.
I know it's easier said than done to just "Stop worrying." But, if you experience travel-related anxiety like me, here are some tips I've found that help ease my worries:
1. Make a list of all the things you are going to need, and check off the items as you pack them.
2. Pack the things that aren't easily replaceable first, like your driver's license, prescription medications, or eye glasses. Remind yourself that anything else you may forget, like underwear or a bathing suit, can be purchased while you're there.
3. Find a TV show/movie you're excited to watch, a book you're excited to read, or an audiobook/podcast to listen to if you're driving – and save it for your trip. It may help you actually look forward to traveling.
4. When a "what if" thought pops into your head, try and ask yourself, "What is the actual likelihood of this happening? What evidence do I have to support this worry? What are some more realistic outcomes?" For instance, if you're scared of flying, remind yourself that the chance of this happening is minuscule – around a 1 in 11 million chance.
5. Also, remember that prepping for the worst-case scenario isn't always a bad thing. For me, it was helpful to do research before our trip to make sure my son was safe on our long drive. I also make sure my bags are never unattended, and I downloaded the Waze app to see any upcoming traffic delays and alternate routes (and where police may be hiding...shhh....)
6. I tried to focus on the positives of my trip, like being able to put away my winter coat and wear shorts for the first time in 7 months, seeing out-of-town family and friends, and not having to take my baby boy to day care for two whole weeks.
A vacation is supposed to be a good thing. It's supposed to be a much needed break. So remind yourself to take advantage of it because, if all you do is worry, you'll forget to actually relax and recharge – the whole point of getting away in the first place.
Earlier this month, I went on a two-week vacation from Michigan to Florida, which meant leaving snow, gloom and temperatures in ...
