Bon Voyage, Not Bon Voyage Anxiety: Top 6 Tips For Anxiety Stress-Free Travel

Holidays are actually fun.  Therefore, it is an event that is welcomed with a tinge of excitement.  Many travellers, keeping their official engagement in mind, would plan in such a manner, so that the official work doesn’t clash with the proposed holiday.

Holidays are essential to offset the work life balance. For many travellers, it is the fear factor that stunts their thought process in making an attempt to visit a foreign country and thus enjoy a holiday.

So what are the symptoms of the anxiety just prior to a holiday, which is more commonly known as “travel anxiety”? The factors could be both physiological and psychological or a combination of both the factors.  Let us talk about the physiological factors.

This could be from a very simple mundane reason like heavy body sweating to a slightly more physiological disorder like a panic attack. The physiological symptom can also manifest itself in other routine disorders like vomiting. 

The psychological factors are more abstract and don’t have any tangible symptoms. The most likely idea of this issue could be to cope with the fear of the unknown, or it could be imagining about the prospective situations that one may have to encounter in a foreign land. 

It could also be the thought of sickness. Another issue that may work on travellers is what could happen if there is loss of belongings or get stranded if money is lost. We shall now discuss the solution in the succeeding paragraphs to lighten the burden of an awesome holiday.

Research the destination: 

It is important to know about the prospective country that is being planned for the vacation. After researching on the holiday destination, it will be handy if a rough day to day travel plan for the destination is factored.

This tip is especially true for the back packers. However, if proceeding through a conducted tour operator the itinerary already comes on a platter and the traveler will not have to go through any anxiety pangs.

Travel like a local:

Of course, the looks of a traveller may give away the origin of the country he or she hails.  This can be partially offset by when articulate use of public transport is made use of in the holiday destination country. 

Make the best use of travel. Day tourist passes available in many countries. A study of the travel terms should be adhered to, like for example if the travel passes permit round trips or point to point destinations.

Don’t get caught off guard. A small amount of time spent in learning the terms and conditions of travel, can avoid unnecessary hassles and tension.

Know in advance local information of the destination on a day to day basis:

No traveller wants to get into a situation, that in the city of their travel, he or she gets into a position where the city is subjected to strikes (what we in India refer to as a bandh).

This problem can unnerve a traveller and can be stressful to the tourist and hence prior information of the local news and events is necessary. Nobody will like to be in a situation where he/she are likely to get stranded and be bogged down with missed flights and inter alia avoidable headaches. 

Secure all your travel documents:

Surely nobody wants to get into a situation where a contingency is not in place in the event of loss of travel papers including the passport. The trick here is to keep at least 2 sets of photostat copies of all travel related papers one each in cabin baggage and check in baggage.

Keep the embassy telephone numbers in the country of visit handy in a ready reckoner. Let some relatives in the home country know about your day to day travel plans. Once you have a system in place you can avoid both stress and anxiety.

Monetary handling:

Whilst during travelling from India, you should factor the cost of stay, boarding and shopping expenses and set it aside. Along with some contingency cushion money. Carrying such money gives some kind of a solace, and will definitely act as a tool to reduce anxiety.  

Avoid carrying physical cash and maximize the use of plastic money (international travel card/ international credit card etc). At the kerbside establishment you may have to keep some smaller denomination(s) in local currency. This would enhance a stress free holiday.

Medical Coverage:

If already on medication, it is advisable to carry all relevant medication. Carry a few generic medications too. Carrying of medicines will definitely have a placebo effect and thereby reduce stress. 

It is advisable to carry common medicines from your home country,, as not all foreign countries would display the drug combination in a medication pack.  Get adequate insurance cover for the duration of the travel plus a cushion for 2-3 extra days, to cater for any missed transit flights.

This too would reduce the level of stress. The incremental cost of insurance will be negligible and will certainly not dent the pocket.

Check your documents:

You need to check your documents, viz., Passport validity, Visa validity, Insurance, Air tickets, hotel confirmation vouchers and your itinerary with your Travel Agent and make note.  

Do not blindly take documents and get into trouble at the airports or hotels.   It is always better to go with a trusted local Travel Agent, accredited by IATA (International Air Transport Association).   Keep the contact numbers of your Travel Consultant.

Conclusion:

For the first time travellers this is a natural phenomenon and imagination can go wild and they would always think of the worst case scenario.

For a holiday to be enjoyable it is best to start with a positive frame of mind and create memories of a happy holiday.   Thus, following the above guidelines in enjoying a stress free relaxing holiday will indeed be helpful for a discerning tourist.