Vacations and travel are supposed to be about enjoying yourself and having a bit of fun. However, it’s pretty easy to understand why, for some of us, it’s not the fairy tale adventure it’s imagined to be. There’s so much that can potentially go wrong, giving us a lot of stress and causing some major travel anxiety. Even with all the extra worries, it doesn’t have to be holiday-ruining.

Here are some of the most common things that cause travel anxiety and a few ways you can conquer those worries.

Not knowing what to do with your bags

A lot of people get anxious on the first or last days of travel (or changing hotels between) because they’re unable to store their luggage in the place they’re staying, so they don’t know what to do. You can get worried about being stuck with your huge bags and suitcases whilst wandering around an unknown country, especially if it’s boiling hot. That’s where a dedicated luggage storage can help. You have peace of mind knowing your luggage is tucked away securely, while you can walk around stress-free and enjoy wherever it is in the world you are. 

Worrying about transport

One of the most common things people struggle to cope with whilst travelling is the transport. Flying, especially, is almost certainly the most stress-inducing for a lot of people. The turbulence, delays, take-off and landing can all increase fear.

If you’re particularly anxious about flying (or any transport for that matter) there are a few things you can do to reduce stress. You can take away some of that uncertainty around noises or feelings you stress over, learn what turbulence is, for example, and why it’s safe. You could also make sure you do some of your favourite things as a distraction whilst travelling to help that uneasy feeling fade.

The possibility of getting ill or injured

We all worry about the possibility of getting ill on vacation and ruining the holiday but for some people that stretches even further. Getting ill and not being able to access medical care or having a panic attack in a completely unknown place are major causes of anxiety that can put people off ever travelling. 

You need to remember that even in a foreign location, you can still help yourself in almost every situation. Be prepared, pack a mini safety kit with some essentials so that even if the worst happens, you can still stay healthy and safe. Also, doing a little bit of research beforehand, like knowing where the nearest pharmacy is and sorting out your travel insurance, can really put your mind at ease.

Being anxious while travelling doesn’t mean you’re a bad traveller. You’re just trying to protect yourself and your brain is just overthinking it all a bit. Just remember that even in a place that’s unknown and foreign you can still get help when you need it. Plan ahead, research where you can and you’ll be able to conquer your travel anxieties.

Samantha Green, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.