What is travel stress? Do you experience stress when you go traveling? Too often we all experience everyday stress that sometimes is even chronic stress and it seems that we can’t get out of it, because it feels like it follows us wherever we go. But when we go to vocation and want to travel around a bit, do we still feel some kind of stress.
As we all know it, stress is almost everywhere and can be a good thing if it’s not constant, chronic stress that can destroy our relationships, health, and our lives could make like a living hell. Who could want such a thing? But there are people out there who think that if you feel stress all the time, then you are needed and a useful person who can give something to society.
But it’s not right, chronic stress is a very bad thing that could literary destroy your life. It is important to think about proper stress management and there are many ways how to reduce stress, anxiety and relax. We all need to take care of ourselves. We are the most important person in our lives. Always remember that and remind yourself to rest and relax.
When we go to vocation, we usually want to change the scenery and travel somewhere, maybe to a place that can take off our mind from work and everyday problems. Traveling needs to be as stress less as possible if we want to rest, relax and unwind from our stressful lives. Right? But is it always like that? And if it’s not, what can you do about it?
What is Travel Stress?
I believe for many people travel is an amazing way to relieve stress and relax, but travel can also be stressful in different ways. Travel could also include travel stress and I think we all know that sometimes things that we like to do sometimes involve some stress, but it is not an entirely bad thing. Stress can be a positive thing too. But speaking about travel stress, it could cause people to avoid traveling because it could involve stress and they want to avoid it. Almost all of us have too many stresses in our lives so this kind of reaction is reasonable.
So what is travel stress? Why is travel stressful? It is not always easy to answer these kinds of questions and for each of us, different things are stressful. For some people, public speaking isn’t so stressful, but usually, almost all people feel great stress before public speaking. Right? We all are different in many things, in many ways.
Travel stress is stress that you feel about something that is related to travel. Yes, there are many reasons that you could think of travel as stressful, for example, travel planning, concerns about the safety of a destination, not easy to handle unexpected events.
Sometimes it seems like nothing is like we planned it before. There are also things including financial strain, air travel experiences and, believe it or not, unrealistic expectations. Sometimes of unrealistic expectations, we can’t really enjoy not only traveling but life as a whole and unique journey.
I think that some kind of stress is everywhere and in every situation, including travel. But the ways how we handle stress and how much it impacts us negatively, it’s all that matters.
How Can You Reduce Travel Stress?
Who doesn’t want to know how to reduce stress? Right? Stress is everywhere and we can feel, experience some kind of stress in any given situation that’s for sure and especially people who are very sensitive, emotional and have problems with anxiety. But everything can be improved so don’t worry if traveling is stressful for you even if you like some parts of it and are wondering what is wrong with you and why you can’t enjoy traveling as much as your friends.
Right now we will be talking about ways how you can reduce travel stress and enjoy this beautiful experienced fully.
1. Financial Situation
Financial related problems are one of the most stressful issues for sure and it can affect many aspects of our lives, including relationships and health. Too often money is the limiting factor and could dictate us where to go, where to stay and how to get there. Travel can be expensive and it alone can lead to extra stress that we all want to avoid.
If you worry about your financial situation and how to maximize every dollar, you can’t really enjoy your vacation and an amazing experience that travel provide. But there is something you can do and that involves great planning before your trip. Make a realistic budget, book your travel in advance (it could save you money), do some research (compare prices before booking, check for discounts, etc.).
2. Never think that travel can solve your problems because it won’t
If you think that travel can solve your life’s problems, then you need to stop thinking that way and try to identify your problems and start working on those problems, because if you don’t, you could just add more stress and don’t enjoy your trip. Too many expectations aren’t great for your stress levels, your health and well-being.
3. Unrealistic Expectations
It is great if people daydream about their upcoming vacations and it is more than a healthy form of escapism of every day seemingly boring life. The anticipation of travel could have more positive benefits than the travel itself. Maybe it sounds strange, but from, my experience, it’s true.
But too high expectations are a bad thing, because if they aren’t met, people could feel disappointed, upset and that could leave to a negative experience and a stressful trip. People usually want to escape stress by going on the trip, but it could be the opposite and people could get experience more stress.
You need to daydream and it’s great as I have already said, but never expect that a trip or special place could be perfect. Be Always flexible, accepting negative aspects as a normal thing for any trip and just enjoy positive experiences that can bring you a lot of joy.
4. Safety Concerns
Final Thoughts
Now you know a little bit more what is travel stress and potential ways to reduce it and live less stressful. Our lives are stressful enough so we need to find possible ways to minimize stress in our travels and vacations. For sure that this is a time when we rest, relax and want to forget all about stress, anxiety, and our usual job responsibilities.
As you know, nothing is really so easy and there is always a possibility that stress could find you again. It never left and it is always with you, but it is your choice if you let it dictate your life or not. Of course, travel stress is different from chronic stress or your everyday small stressful events, but still is stress. Stress could be a positive one and if you are feeling excited and a little bit stressed about your upcoming trip, it is not something that you need to be worried about.
Do you ever experience travel stress? What is travel stress for you? How do you cope with it? How do you find ways to reduce it, rest, relax and enjoy your traveling experience? Let me know below!
Thank you! Until next time!
Linda Mo
Founder of How To Reduce Stress Naturally