Though traveling across the globe is a wondrous and fulfilling experience for some, others happen to find it extremely terrifying. Whether it be the culture shock, the new places and faces, or perhaps the flight itself, anxiety plagues many travelers.Traveling for business can be especially intimidating, especially for those who don’t normally like traveling. In addition to worries about a safe flight or how you’ll get around, as a business traveler, you also may be fretting about your upcoming presentation or your ability to land a new client. So, the last thing you need is to worry about your travel experience.
Fear not, weary traveler, as there is still hope. There are many ways in order to reduce anxiety while traveling. The best part? The best method is totally up to you.
Travel Apps. One approach to reducing travel anxiety is to let your phone do most of the work. With certain airline apps, such as United Airline’s app, users are able to check flight times, display boarding passes, keep track of luggage, and more. Users can opt for notifications as well, which alert the user to delays or cancellations ahead of time.
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If you’re traveling to a country that uses another language, there are many translation and language learning apps out there as well. The Google Translate app can translate between 103 different languages and can even translate 52 languages when not connected to the internet. There’s also a camera mode, where text in pictures can be translated in 29 different languages. Duolingo is another free language learning app that provides mini-games that teach Spanish, French, German, and more. Impress your coworkers or future clients with your newfound language speaking skills!
Plan, Plan, Plan. Before the flight, look up some information regarding the country you’re visiting, such as its history, culture, cuisine, etc. If you’re not a native speaker, try to learn some basics or purchase a pocket dictionary. Also, try learning the names of nearby streets, subway stations, and landmarks as reference points.
One common way people deal with anxiety and stress is making a list. This method also helps with travel as well, as itineraries are a must-have for anxious adventurers. After arriving at a hotel, create a list of all nearby pharmacies, grocery stores, embassies, etc. Also, make sure to plan out routes to upcoming meetings or client dinners so you won’t be late.
Lastly, plan what you’re packing and how you are packing it. Most airlines allow for two larger bags and one personal item, so maximizing space and weighing the bags before the flight can help save a lot of money. Also, make sure everything is packed the night before. Try to get to the airport a few hours before the flight.That way, there’s time to to buy or retrieve forgotten items. Planning ahead for your travel helps you focus on the work you need to accomplish when you arrive.
Face Your Fears. Can’t beat ‘em? Join ‘em! According to Psychology Today, one of the best ways to defeat a fear is to face it head on. Dr. Shpancer, a professor of psychology, says, “Habituation, defined formally, refers to the fact that nervous system arousal decreases on repeated exposure to the same stimulus.” Essentially, the more exposure to a fear someone gets, the more normal it becomes.
Afraid of public transportation? Ride the subway until you know the map like the back of your hand. Can’t deal with airplanes? Take a window seat and enjoy the 20,000 ft. high scenery. Anxious about getting lost? Explore the area with coworkers!
Psychology Today explains that when humans avoid anxiety, our anxieties strengthen. Avoiding a nerve-wracking situation sidesteps practice and exposure, keeping anxiety alive. Through mastery, facing fears develops confidence, builds good habits, and forms fear management. It will most likely be extremely difficult at first, but the results can be overwhelmingly satisfying.