Travel Anxiety

[gadamsgrega2]

So I was feeling pretty good this weekend and so my wife and I decided to book a flight across the country to visit relatives. I've done the trip about 10 times in the past 7 years but the last couple of times I'd experienced anticipatory anxiety just days before the flight (ie unable to eat, drymouth, constant urinating, heart palpatations, nausea, fatigue, sudden fear of unknown, impending doom.)

Just wondering if any of you have this issue too? Where you go to book a trip, you feel good, so you book it... then suddenly, you don't feel so good anymore and you feel anxiety take hold?

 

[ThankfulJen]

Often. For most anything that takes me a long distance away from my home. It makes things very difficult for my family. It usually ends up fine after we get to the planned destination. But, until then, it is a waking nightmare.

 

[suzzeeb]

Yes! I rarely make plans for trips anymore. It's too hard the week or so leading up to it. I hate that I'm like that now. I keep hoping I will be able to travel again one day without the anxiety beforehand.

 

[cheer_mom]

I experience this a week before vacation every single year. I am fine once we arrive, but I hate all the fear and anxiety before hand. I hope you are able to go ahead with your trip and can curb the anxiety.

 

[gadamsgrega2]

yea that's where I'm at... My trip isn't for 4 months and it's already on my mind...

 

[Sid]

Before I stopped working I would get this just driving across town to work. But then would be ok once I got there. Ahhhh I hate this crap!

 

[gadamsgrega2]

Yes! I rarely make plans for trips anymore. It's too hard the week or so leading up to it. I hate that I'm like that now. I keep hoping I will be able to travel again one day without the anxiety beforehand.

when do you think you'll plan a trip? and will you start small and work your way up? It's a very small world if you don't do something in fear of anxiety.. you know what I mean?

 

[Evenflow123]

I am the same way. I hate that I miss put on life because of this. People just don't understand what we go through. I am flying tomorrow and my heart has been pounding for months.

 

[gadamsgrega2]

This same trip is about 8 days away for me... I haven't really felt too much anxiety but last night I experienced the walking in the middle of the night having to go to the bathroom (#1) bad as well as heart palpatations

 

[Camden]

Yes traveling sets off my anxiety too. I'm not a good flyer and going on planes makes me really nervous. Partially because I'm afraid of heights, but mostly because of the crowded conditions and the clausterphobic feeling of being strapped in a seat between a window and another seat. I always try to request an aisle seat in case I need access to the bathroom or need to stretch my legs.

Thinking about the upcoming trip makes me anxious too. I worry about packing and possibly forgetting important stuff like medicine, phone chargers, and the right clothes. I pack 1 or 2 days in advance. I enjoy driving, but riding as a passenger bothers me sometimes because I get carsick and I worry about having limited access to bathrooms.

 

[gadamsgrega2]

wish me luck all of you... my flight leaves tomorrow... and yea, once I'm over there and settled in, I'm fine... it's all the anticipation that can be a challenge.. Hopefully when I get back, I'll have positive news on how this trip went.

 

[Camden]

wish me luck all of you... my flight leaves tomorrow... and yea, once I'm over there and settled in, I'm fine... it's all the anticipation that can be a challenge.. Hopefully when I get back, I'll have positive news on how this trip went.

You got this Just relax and enjoy yourself and focus on where you're going. The trick to pleasant travels is taking time to make yourself comfortable. I like to download playlists of my favorite albums, bring a small pillow and a face mask for in flight snoozes, and bring some snacks just in case. I know the time leading up to traveling can be stressful, but it always passes. I'm sure you'll have a nice trip and it will be made even better by taking some simple actions to care for yourself before, during, and after the commute.

 

[Vincent]

What causes travel anxiety? Is it a fear of flying? A fear of being away from home? Something else?

 

[gadamsgrega2]

Well I'm back from the trip... the flight was from California to New York. There were bumps in the road of course cause my sleep wasn't great the first couple days out there but once I was able to sleep, my appetite came back and I felt good... There were a few moments where I'd get anxiety being away from home and now that I'm back I still have a little residual anxiety symptoms from it all... but other than that (which I can control) I'm glad to have gone on the trip and not backed out because of my symptoms.

 

[Doug97]

My friend has a crippling fear of flying, he got beta blockers from his doc and says they help a lot.

 

[loggiemod]

What causes travel anxiety? Is it a fear of flying? A fear of being away from home? Something else?

Mine is being away from my normal environment. Will I find a parking space? Will I catch my train/flight?

 

[Otherside]

Unfamiliar environment with me. Add in the language barrier.

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[Peter A]

I have this problem too. I only like to be lurking about in areas I know well enough. Maybe that's restricting yourself, but familiarity just feels safer.

 

[LotusTree]

I’m afraid of highways: of rain, thunderstorms, snow, and just as they are too. It will be affecting my relationship as he lives in another city.

 

[loggiemod]

So back from holiday and of course everything went well. We went by train because just before we were due to go we had the petrol crisis and it worked well, though I was constantly checking the suitcases to see that they were still there! That's the problem with trains in that there isn't much storage space. Now if only I could convince myself that it will be OK next time as well...