{"id":29347,"date":"2018-11-21T06:00:44","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T14:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=29347"},"modified":"2025-08-15T13:22:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T20:22:50","slug":"anxiety-disorder-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/anxiety-disorder-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"6 TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH ANXIETY DISORDER"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is no limit to who can see the world. <\/span>People with an anxiety disorder are not an exception to traveling unless their case is severe. <\/span>According to the World Health Organization<\/a>, <\/span>264 million people worldwide suffer from an anxiety disorder. <\/span><\/p>\n

Traveling has long been my passion even before the appearance of an anxiety disorder in my life. <\/span>Coping with this issue has just made me change the way I travel. <\/span>In this post, I will share 6 tips for travelers with an anxiety disorder. <\/span>In the hope that this post helps you to ease anxiety and discover the world!<\/span><\/p>\n

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1) SEVERITY<\/h3>\n

First and foremost, if your symptoms are severe, wait until the situation gets better. <\/span>If you want to travel but are not sure whether you should, ask your primary doctor for professional clinical advice before leaving.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are on medication <\/span>I suggest putting the medicine in your carry-on luggage. <\/span>It\u2019s not uncommon for luggage to go astray. <\/span>I have never been stopped by security when I bring medicine (SSRI\/Xanax), but regulations vary between countries, so you may want to check with the embassy of the country you are going to before you travel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2) CHOOSE A TRAVEL BUDDY WISELY <\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not where you go, it\u2019s who you travel with. <\/span>Choose a person you can feel relaxed with and if possible who is aware of your condition. <\/span>I often go with such a person and it helps me feel relief. <\/span>If you are comfortable enough, even share with them effective ways of handling a potential anxiety attack. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a good idea to choose someone who can spend the day on their own in case you don’t feel well enough to go out. <\/span>I don\u2019t recommend going with someone who loves crammed itineraries. <\/span>It gives you a lot of pressure which is not good for an anxiety disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3) START FROM CLOSER TO HOME TO GAIN CONFIDENCE <\/span><\/h3>\n

I know how scared you may feel if it\u2019s your first time traveling with an anxiety disorder. <\/span>I feel for you. <\/span>So, start by going somewhere closer to home to gain confidence! <\/span>Distance doesn\u2019t matter. <\/span>The key is gaining confidence! <\/span><\/p>\n

You may travel to the nearest state or province for an overnight trip or simply start with a day trip. <\/span>If there is no major issue during your 1st trip, travel a little further afield. <\/span>Gradually, you will gain confidence and eventually, when you are comfortable enough, go on a big trip or even take a solo trip! <\/span>Do you think it\u2019s impossible to go on a solo trip if you have an anxiety disorder? It’s not<\/span> at all! I love solo travel!<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you are a newbie to solo travel, it\u2019s a wise decision to travel where you have a friend so that you feel relieved. On my<\/span> first solo trip, I went to Hong Kong, which is less than 4 hours away from my country, and I had a friend there. <\/span>(FYI: I went on my first solo trip 1 year after anxiety disorder appeared in my life). <\/span>My condition was getting better around that time. <\/span>That first solo trip was a huge confidence boost for me. <\/span><\/p>\n

Editor’s note: Another great option is to go on a group trip like Travel Girls Getaways<\/a>, where everything is planned for you and you have a great group of likeminded people to travel with!<\/span><\/p>\n

6 years after Hong Kong, I went on a 6 month round the world journey. <\/span>It was truly one of the best experiences of my life and it was the best decision I have ever made! <\/span>If you are having similar issues at the moment and want to travel long-term, <\/span>don\u2019t give up! <\/span>Rome was not built in a day but there is no rain that fails to cease. <\/span><\/p>\n

One interesting fact is that I had never travelled solo before having an anxiety disorder. <\/span>Living with this illness was holding me back, but I knew deep down that I needed something to break through and gain confidence. Which is<\/span> one of the reasons I decided to try a solo trip. <\/span>I might not have traveled solo if it hadn\u2019t been for this illness! <\/span>Everything happens for a reason!<\/span><\/p>\n

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4) DON\u2019T PUSH YOURSELF TOO HARD <\/span><\/h3>\n

We all want to make the most of it when we travel but putting pressure on yourself could end up making you worse. <\/span>Traveling is fun and exciting but it is an easy trigger for anxiety. <\/span>It can sometimes be stressful even for those who don\u2019t have an anxiety disorder, as we will be immersing ourselves in an unknown environment. <\/span>Always put your health first. <\/span>You know the most about your health. <\/span>Listen to your body\/mind and skip itineraries when you don\u2019t feel good and have rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I felt sick multiple times whilst traveling and had to change or skip itineraries. <\/span>This experience taught me to be selective. <\/span>Choose only a few places or things to do in advance, and decide the rest when you get there. <\/span>We may not be able to go or do all the things we want to, but it’s a good excuse to return to the place!<\/span><\/p>\n

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5) TAKE SOME TIME TO RELAX BEFORE TRAVELING <\/span><\/h3>\n

I can totally relate to your anxiety before traveling! <\/span>The worries are endless. <\/span>Will I sleep well? Will I be okay with the cuisine\/culture? <\/span>What if I have an anxiety attack? <\/span>If you feel the same, do what you can to feel calm and relaxed, a few days before leaving to unwind anxiety. <\/span><\/p>\n

I highly recommend using Headspace<\/a> to help you be calm and deal with the feelings you have before you go. <\/span>I started using this app when I was overwhelmed by anxiety before leaving. <\/span>It calmed me down and even improved my quality of sleep. <\/span>I use it regularly now! <\/span>The first ten days are free and different themed sessions are available. <\/span>Along with relaxing, make sure to get enough sleep as it is said that lack of sleep triggers anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6) OBSERVE THE PATTERN <\/span><\/h3>\n

Your health might be better under specific conditions. <\/span>Observe your pattern and take it into consideration when deciding where to go. <\/span>For example, my condition is stable when it\u2019s warm and sunny, so <\/span>I try to choose these places as travel destinations especially when it\u2019s winter in my country. <\/span>I also prefer destinations popular for health and wellness, since getting a massage eases my tension physically and mentally which makes me feel better.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s true that we need a little bit more effort than others, but it\u2019s totally worth it!! <\/span>Interact with locals, immerse in different cultures and be blown away by breathtaking sceneries, discover yourself\u2026 <\/span>The experience we gain through travel is a lifetime treasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Have you ever traveled with an illness? If you have any questions about the information please leave these in the comments below. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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Read More About Solo Travel<\/em><\/h4>\n