This is a collaborative post.
Many of us spend our free time dreaming of travelling. We plan our travel wishlists and imagine what sights we’d see abroad. While travel is certainly fun, the benefits go beyond that. I’m already planning my next trip to Walt Disney World despite not really being able to afford it.
Travel is also an effective way to combat stress, as it allows us to step away from the worries of everyday life. That being said, it also takes a toll, leaving your body and mind drained.
There are many reasons for travel stress, but with a bit of forethought, you can be proactive about it, or actually avoid it altogether. With that in mind, here are six causes of travel stress.
Planning the break in the first place
The stress of travelling actually begins before you even go away. After all, planning a holiday is no mean feat, especially when you’re travelling as a group. Even if you’re planning a solo trip, the planning stage can become pretty stressful without a bit of direction.
There are so many elements that need to be booked well in advance, along with many other aspects of the to-do list that people often forget. The best way to tackle this large task is to break it down. Write a checklist of travel jobs that need doing and make a planning timeline.
Covering any travel costs
No one will ever tell you that travel is cheap, especially in the current economic climate. Most people would actually agree that it’s far too expensive. Regardless of where you’re going or how long for, there are always going to be travel costs to cover.
These costs can cause financial problems that cast a shadow over your longed-for break. Thankfully, there are many ways to save money while travelling. Making money while travelling is possible too if that’s something you want to do.
Exploring an unfamiliar place
Visiting a new place is equal parts scary and exciting. This is especially true when visiting cities far away from home, like somewhere on the other side of the world, such as Perth. There are many amazing places to see in Perth, Western Australia, but navigating the city itself can be difficult. Carrying your phone will offer peace of mind and a handy navigation system too. After all, if you were to get lost, you could easily use the maps app to find where you need to go.
Unfamiliar doesn’t have to mean unsettling though. This is where your planning comes into play, so make sure to do your homework on your destinations to avoid travel stress when you get there.
Being scared of flying
Air travel isn’t an uncommon fear, even among avid travellers. A lot of people are really scared of travelling by plane. As I’ve got older, I’ve found it more and more unsettling. I’m not even sure why! The trouble is, this can make your trip away unbearable.
Even if you get through the first flight without any problems, you’ll still be scared for the flight home. There are many ways to overcome air travel fear, but if you can’t, then it might be time to look into a different mode of transport.
Missing that final call
Although flying is scary, more people are worried about missing a flight. This genuinely happened to me once on a return flight from Germany and it was hands down one of the most stressful experiences of my life. I think I broke Usain Bolt’s record trying to leg it to the final gate in time. It didn’t help that the German border security had no idea what my hair straightener in my bag was (it was the early 2000s) so I had some massively panicked explaining to do in broken Deutsch.
Fun times.
Anyway, whether you’re flying out or coming home, arriving at an already closed gate could really ruin your trip. While the stress isn’t easy, the extra cost will make matters worse. Because of this, you should always leave for the airport earlier than necessary. Staying at a hotel near the airport would also make matters much easier.
Worrying about life back home
Many travellers have trouble letting go. Even when exploring a new place, you might worry about your plants being watered or your pets being fed. The best solution is to ask someone you trust to take care of these things while you’re away. Calling them regularly throughout the day might offer peace of mind too. This person could be a house sitter you hire or a friend happy to help.
Travel stress affects the best of us, but hopefully, with the advice above, you can keep it from ruining your trip completely! What are your top tips for avoiding travel stress? Let me know in the comments.
