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Writer's pictureMegan Devito

How To Knock Out Travel Anxiety

If you had the opportunity to go anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go? Would you go? If you’re thinking, ‘I want to but I’m too anxious,’ keep reading.


Take me back please.
In 1994, I spent 10 anxious days in Europe. In 2023, I spent 10 days rolling around in the feeling of HOLY SHIT! I'M IN EUROPE!

Traveling to amazing new places with different foods, different smells, different languages, and different cultures can be equal parts magic and misery when you’re always anxious. After all, anything new or different can feel weird. If you don’t know how to handle the weird feelings, your brain will start to make up stories about why you feel different. So you stay home. Wish you could or would go. And even say no when you have the chance to go. All because you feel anxious. Your brain is going to do this same thing over and over, until you teach it a new way to think. To say yes to the next trip, you have to learn how to feel good now. Feeling good now teaches you how to feel good no matter where you are. The process of letting anxiety go is the same whether you’re in Indiana or India. It’s simple and it can happen with just one new thought.


Here’s how you can get yourself ready for your next trip.


STEP ONE - Let yourself feel anxious. Really let yourself feel how your body feels so you know what’s going on. If you keep fighting how you feel, you’re telling your brain something is wrong and it will try to figure out what the danger is by coming up with all kinds of thoughts to ruin your day and your entire trip or even longer.


STEP TWO - Practice breathing when you feel good. Here’s how I teach clients to breathe. * Start with an exhale. Most people what to breathe in first - don’t do that. Exhale farther than you feel like you can.

*Then, slowly breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds.

* Hold your breath when your lungs are full for 7 seconds.

* Then exhale all the way out again.

Pause and when you need another breath, do the same thing.

Don't wait until you’re neck deep in anxiety to do this. Practice when you feel good so when you do get in the car or on the plane, when you are in a situation that smells and looks different, you can bring yourself down and recenter.


STEP 3 - Find the most obvious anxious thought you’re having. Ask yourself if the thoughts are true. It might feel true but unless you can prove it 100%, it’s only a thought that feels scary.


Flip the thought to what if it doesn't happen or ask yourself what else might happen that would be good or fun or exactly what you want to happen. Force your brain to go there because it wont go on it’s own.


One of the most powerful things I can help you do when we work together is find what you’re really afraid of.


Remember, overcoming anxiety about traveling might not feel perfect the first time you take a trip and that’s okay! Be patient with yourself and know that it's normal to feel anxious sometimes.


By practicing what you want to experience, practicing breathing, and working with me, you can absolutely feel less anxious. Here’s how I can help you calm no matter where you are. It starts with a consultation call.

On the call, I’ll help you find the thoughts and feelings that keep you anxious, and the fastest way to feeling relaxed and having more fun.


Whether you want a vacation or a staycation, learning how to relax and trust yourself is the solution. I can help you get there.


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