Tips for Relieving Pre-Vacation Jitters

Do you have the pre-travel jitters? If the thought of vacationing has you so stressed that you feel like, if you really want to relax, you oughta just stay home, then keep reading. Here are some tips that might help you get past your nerves and enjoy your vacation. 

Recognize the Signs

First, you need to recognize the symptoms of pre-travel nerves. If you’re packing and repacking constantly, looking at flight routes or Google maps 24/7 or reviewing your budget a lot, you’re probably experiencing some pre-travel jitters. Another sign is wondering why you made your trip so long or longing for the day your vacation is over and you’re back home. 

Analyze Why You’re Anxious

If you recognize any of these symptoms it means that you’re suffering from pre-vacation nerves. The good news is there are ways to relax, but first you need to know why you’re feeling anxious about your trip. People feel anxiety for a number of reasons. If you’re feeling nervous, take the time to think through what exactly is bothering you. For instance, if flying is what has you anxious, think through why flying bothers you. Maybe it’s a control issue, or maybe it makes you feel claustrophobic. Or perhaps your anxiety stems around being in a new place and out of your routine. Knowing why you feel the way you feel will help you find the best ways to counter those feelings. 

Try Natural Remedies

No matter why you’re feeling anxious, an herbal or natural remedy can help alleviate some of those feelings. Chamomile tea can have calming effects. CDB is another great remedy. CBD gummies promote relaxation, help improve mood and provide positive mental support. Whatever you do, shy away from large quantities of caffeine and other uppers. Even if you’re a caffeine nut, caffeine before travel can lead to exacerbation of feelings of anxiety. If you need a fix, try something with just a mild amount of caffeine, like hot tea or a piece of chocolate. 

Practice Deep Breathing

If your fear stems from feeling out of control or out of your element, practicing breathing exercises and meditation can be a huge help. A good exercise is to breathe in for a count of 10, hold for a count of ten, breathe out for a count of ten and hold for a count of ten. Do this ten times or until you feel more calm.

Be Present in the Moment

Another option is to try the 5-4-3-2-1 method. Once you find a deep even breath, focus on the following. First, find five things you can see around you. Then, find four things you can touch, followed by three things you can hear. Then check for two scents you can smell. Finally, check for one thing you can taste. Go through this multiple times, until you feel more calm. By focusing on tangibles, you are keeping yourself focused on the present, rather than elements in the future that are out of your control. 

Try Meditation

Meditation can also be used to retrain your brain to associate things that scare you with things that you get enjoyment from. For instance, if flying terrifies you, you can use meditation to focus your mind on the image of someone you truly love while mentally going through the different aspects of flying, from arriving at the airport, to being on the plane, to landing. This will help retrain your brain to associate these anxious moments with the feelings of endorphins your brain releases. This method has proven effective in many who have a fear of traveling. 

Plan Well

Aside from meditation and calming techniques, planning well can help alleviate feelings of anxiety. Make a packing list before you start packing your bag. Making a pre-travel checklist can also help. Have a list of backup plans for anything you feel may go wrong. Comfort in preparedness can make a big difference.

Keep Busy

When traveling, keeping your mind busy can also really help, especially if you’re on a plane, bus or train, and have a lot of unoccupied time. Find the activities that are easiest for you to concentrate on while traveling and focus on those. Some people can focus on a book while in flight. Others need to listen to or watch something. Whatever you need to do to be comfortable, be sure to plan to be able to do it. If your attention span feels shortened because you’re traveling, plan multiple activities. If you’re someone who needs to feel control of the situation, use a checklist to schedule yourself doing certain activities for short periods of time. Then check them off. Read for 15 minutes, listen to music for ten and watch a television show for 10. Then repeat this routine until the trip has ended. You might find the time goes faster if you’re focusing on multiple activities for short periods of time. 

Vacationing is so important. If you’re planning one, take some of these steps to alleviate anxiety and enjoy your trip.