Think about some of your favorite memories. Chances are, a few of them involve trips you've taken. But what happens when you crave those new experiences, yet the thought of packing your bags fills you with dread? Many of us love to travel but struggle with travel anxiety.
To understand these travel anxieties better, we surveyed Airalo team members on their most common travel stressors, including:
- Forgetting or Losing Important Items
- Being Late at the Airport
- General Flight Anxiety
- Food Planning Concerns
- Luggage Getting Lost In Transit
- Fear of the Unknown
Based on the above, we've created a list of travel essentials for anxiety and included a few bonus tips and tricks.
Forgetting or Losing Important Items
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Losing important documents is a common concern for people with travel anxiety. A travel essential that can help relieve some of that stress is a fanny pack. Compact, secure, and worn close to the body, fanny packs are extra handy when traveling as you can easily access all your important items (passport, phone, wallet, keys). No more scrambling when TSA agents ask to see your documents!
Additionally, they’re great to have once you land, as they allow you to keep your belongings in a safe place when exploring. This is especially helpful in big cities or areas where pickpockets are more common.
Bonus tip: If you’re worried about forgetting something important at home, making a checklist beforehand can help. Knowing that you'll be okay as long as you have your travel documents, a credit card, and a phone can also be a great reminder in times of overplanning and stress.
Being Late at the Airport
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A common travel anxiety is being late for a flight. In this helpful article, we share how early you should get to the airport and give tips on getting through security faster. This way, you will never miss a flight again.
Finally, we suggest booking a taxi or Uber the day before your flight. You can also check Google Maps for transit times. This will help you arrive at the airport on time.
General Flight Anxiety
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Fear of flying is a very common concern for travelers. While a more serious fear of flying is best treated in therapy or with medication, you can bring a few essentials on your trip to help you relax if you are a little nervous. Here are a few ideas:
- Bring a personalized playlist: Creating a playlist that includes some of your favorite relaxing songs can be a great way to take some of the edge off when flying, as music can improve mental health.
- Download episodes of your favorite comfort show: Downloading episodes of one of your favorite shows can be a great way to pass the time on the flight and keep you distracted from some of the fear of flying.
- Get cozy: Dressing in comfortable clothing or bringing comfort items like a blanket or scarf can help you feel more at ease on the flight. Save your favorite sweatpants for the big day!
Food Planning Concerns
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Whether you have dietary restrictions, want to avoid overspending at the airport, or have specific nutrition goals, planning your food and drinks can help ease travel anxiety.
- Bring your reusable water bottle: Flights can cause dehydration, so it's crucial to have water handy. Most airports have refill stations, and flight attendants can refill it for you, too. It's also a more sustainable alternative to buying bottled water. Just remember that you’ll need to empty it before going through security!
- Plan snacks for your journey: Bring your own snacks so you can eat what you want, when you want and avoid relying on flight service. Bring something you can easily digest so you don't have to worry about stomach upset on your flight!
Pro Tip: If you have a short red-eye flight, bring a meal and eat it at the gate or right when you board to maximize sleep time instead of waiting for the in-flight service.
Luggage Getting Lost In Transit
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Many suitcases were lost in 2022, and although things have improved since, this fear has become more common for many travelers. Here are two ways to help ease some of the anxiety.
- Get an AirTag: Many travelers recommend AirTags for luggage tracking. They are a great way to find your luggage if it gets lost in transit. Learn more about how to use AirTags for travel here.
- Avoid checking luggage: Bringing a carry-on instead of checked luggage can be a great way to avoid that fear. Using packing cubes or buying travel backpacks with various compartments can help save space! However, check the carry-on size so you don't have to deal with the last-minute stress of getting it checked.
Fear of the Unknown
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Some travelers aren't just scared of things going wrong while getting to their destination but are also nervous about managing their day-to-day once they arrive safely. Potential worries might be getting lost in a new city, not speaking the language, or having an unexpected issue. Staying connected with data can help alleviate some of those worries, as you can check Google Maps, Google Translation, and more.
Airalo helps with this by offering data for 200+ countries and regions with the best local rates. Avoid expensive roaming fees and feel more comfortable dealing with the unexpected!
While these travel essentials for anxiety might not eliminate deep-rooted fears, they can be a starting point for easing into things and slowly building confidence. Traveling brings a lot of uncertainty but can also be full of beautiful moments and fun adventures. Get ready to embrace something new!
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