Travel anxiety

[Notaderrysgirl]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post. Myself and my DP are due to go on holiday tomorrow and I should be excited and looking forward to it however my anxiety is through the roof. I’m worried that we will miss the flight, that something will go wrong, that the airport will be really busy, you name it and I’m worried about it. I’m worried that one of us will get injured while away, that we will get robbed, what if we get sick. I feel like I’m being robbed of being excited to go on holiday. My DP is the most calm and chill person I have ever met and he just doesn’t understand where all this is coming from, hell I don’t even understand where it’s coming from, I’ve never missed a flight in my life or had any issues when going abroad but I’m finding each holiday I’m getting worse and worse with anxiety and I’m just beside myself. It’s got to the point that I’m so anxious I just feel like we should just stay home :( any words of advice would be much appreciated even if it’s just telling me to have a word with myself

This was me a few weeks ago, since COVID I've been anxious just before going on holiday convinced that something will stop us going. Nothing ever has and I'm currently writing this from our lovely hotel in Turkey.
I don't have any advise for you, just that you are not alone, I posted on here about it and it's very common. It's super annoying though as you do miss out on the excitement. Have a great holiday.

I think it's ok to be a bit anxious. All of those things are reasonable things to be worried about when travelling. You can do something about all of them - leave early, get travel insurance, etc. Make a list and a plan and feel good about yourself for ticking things off as you go. It'll be great, and all the more so because you are prepared for all eventualities!

Hey, this was me! I even posted about it.

I think the world feels quite unstable right now, which might be adding to your anxiety. I cut right back on the news and my phone before going and think it helped.

Just make sure you get to the airport in plenty of time. Being early helped me. I had some rescue remedy chews with me too. Ordered food on the plane as it helped me distract myself from the journey and made it feel quicker.

You're not alone and lots of people feel anxiety travelling. Try and visualise yourself on holiday enjoying it. Good luck!

I’ve been like this. Honestly , you’ve just got to go with it because you know it will be fine when you get there.

I always feel a bit like this too. I’m fine once I’m through security and treating myself to a nice drink and a bacon roll 😃

To make things as relaxing as possible I always book fast track security and parking right at the airport.

I've been listening to a few podcasts lately and one of the themes I heard was to run to the fear while it's small. In other words don't let your fears grow so they become harder to overcome.

So for example if you gave into your anxiety this time and didn't go next time it would be harder to overcome and it might spread to other areas of your life.

There are some self help books that might help such as feel the fear and do it anyway and the gift of fear.

Book fast pass for security if the queues look long - did this in the queue in Paris a couple of weeks ago and was so worth it - no queue for the fast pass line...

Look for the quiet area - for example, terminal 3 in Manchester has a lovely quiet area just near the airport lounges upstairs....

arrive early and maybe book a lounge - the best way to destress at an airport

I was always the most relaxed traveler and have often arrived at the airport (pre 200)1 with little over 10-20 minutes before departure (hand luggage only) - now I tend to arrive two to three hours before and use the lounges - though I also only ever travel hand luggage only even long haul - if I can't get it in my 10kg bag it's not coming with me. i also find the UK airports some of the most stressful to travel through

Yep. I get this. Hate it. I'm currently abroad, waiting for a train and swearing that next year we're going to the Lake District.

Thank you all for your replies, I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets like this when travelling! We are on holiday now, the journey and flight were fine and we are having a really good time. I am kicking myself for getting so anxious and wound up. A reply said to that I’ve just got to go with it and that’s the best advice, I’m just rolling with it and trying to let go of what I can’t control, because they were right it’s all turned out fine and all that worrying was really for nothing.

I get like that before every holiday and it's certainly got worse in recent years. This is partly because I do have a lot of health conditions but I'm well and insured.
I know I'll be fine once there so it doesn't stop me travelling but boy it's bad in the few days before departure.

I get like this - only since COVID, which was years ago now, but I can't shake it. The worst thing, is that I actually love planning holidays - I spend hours working out the best routes, hotels etc, book everything really excitedly, and then the fear hits when it gets closer to the time, and I spend the last month wondering why the hell I booked the holiday - I have all the same worries floating through my mind as you, and none of them have ever happened. The only good thing about the anxiety, is that it does make me prepare very well and get everywhere in good time.

I'm off to look up these books people have suggested.

I wouldn't bother, I think the post was bumped by the author of the book looking for a free promo.