Symptoms, Solutions, and Strategies to Ease Travel-Related Stress and Anxiety

Managing Travel Anxiety: Understanding and Coping with Vacation Worry

Travel anxiety, also known as vacation anxiety, is a feeling of worry or fear that can arise in relation to traveling. This anxiety is one of the ways our bodies react to situations or circumstances that cause stress, worry, or fear.

Travel anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors. Past negative experiences, a fear of flying, consuming negative travel news or anecdotes, discomfort with unfamiliar places, concerns about "what ifs", genetics, shyness or reservedness as a child, family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions, physical health conditions, certain medications, high caffeine intake, and having generalized anxiety disorder or another anxiety disorder can all contribute to travel anxiety. In some cases, there may not be a specific cause for travel anxiety.

If travel anxiety is affecting your ability to plan and enjoy trips, or if it's preventing you from visiting loved ones who live far away, it may be time to seek professional support. A healthcare professional can help diagnose an anxiety disorder by comparing your symptoms and medical history with the criteria listed in the DSM-5. Treatments for anxiety often include psychotherapy, anti-anxiety medications, and antidepressants.

If you don't receive a formal diagnosis but still want to resolve your issues with travel anxiety, you might still benefit from therapy sessions to learn coping skills. Psych Central's hub can provide support for finding mental health support.

Travel anxiety can cause a range of symptoms, including panic attacks, chest pain, breathing issues, nausea, diarrhea, shaking, sweating, and trouble sleeping. If anxiety related to travel or otherwise begins to affect your day-to-day quality of life, it may be time to seek professional help.

Living with travel anxiety doesn't have to mean giving up on travel. Strategies for managing travel anxiety include identifying triggers, planning ahead, taking care of things at home, bringing distractions, practicing relaxation techniques, finding the silver lining, taking care of yourself, traveling with others, and considering medication if other strategies aren't easing your anxiety as much as you'd hoped.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), nearly 40 million U.S. adults are affected by an anxiety disorder every year. Among anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is one of the most frequently diagnosed types, with 7–12% of the adult population affected in the U.S. according to studies cited.

If you're finding it difficult to overcome feeling anxious about traveling, a healthcare or mental health professional can help evaluate if an underlying condition is behind it and help you figure out a treatment plan. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Don't let travel anxiety hold you back from exploring the world.