Like a lot of people, I struggle with holiday anxiety! Whether it’s a summer trip, or family gatherings during the festive season, they often make me feel a little stressed. Mostly because I hate the unknown and I worry about the unexpected. So let’s look at how to cope with this stress so you can get back your peace of mind and enjoy the buildup instead of stressing about it!
What Can Cause Holiday Anxiety
This will be different for everyone; for me, it’s just the fear of the unknown. Silly little details like where to park, where the nearest shops are, what time we have to be at the airport, and what the weather will be like all play on my mind!
For others, it might be the high expectations that people have and the worry when the first day of their holiday doesn’t meet those expectations. Financial pressures may also be a cause of stress, as the price of everything seems to be going up, making holidays more expensive than ever.
There may be family gatherings or social obligations that start to take a toll on you.
How to Cope With Holiday Anxiety
Plan in advance
Planning your holiday can help you manage travel anxiety – research the area and the hotel thoroughly. Read reviews of local restaurants and activities, and consider viewing images and videos of local places if they are helpful to you. I love getting a visual feel for a place!
Don’t forget to check your timings so you leave yourself enough time to get to the airport or train station.
Get Cover
Don’t skip getting insurance! You can get holiday insurance that covers overseas medical care, which is a must, or consider companies such as AirHelp that help you claim compensation for cancelled flights.
Get Your Travel Documents Ready
Please don’t leave finding your travel documents until the last minute! Make sure you’re ready to go with your passport, travel money, insurance documents and every other information about your stay.
Prioritise self-care and set boundaries
This is key when your holiday involves other people – you need to make sure you give yourself time to relax, and you can take a little break if you get overwhelmed to allow your nervous system to reset.
Prioritise regular physical activity during your trip for a dopamine hit, and don’t be afraid to say no to events and activities you cannot handle. It’s important to remember that while you need to look after yourself, compromise is also essential when it comes to large groups of people.
Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Mindfulness and relaxation can help ease holiday anxiety and keep you in the present moment. Focus on what you see, hear, or feel right now to pull your attention away from worries about the past or future.
Relaxation techniques are also useful, such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises. These calm your mind and body and reduce physical symptoms like tension in your shoulders or tightness in your chest. Regular exercise is important too as it boosts both mental health and physical health while releasing stress hormone levels.
Simplify plans and avoid overcommitment
Keeping plans simple helps reduce stress, so focus on what matters most and don’t feel pressured to attend every event or gather with everyone at once. Choose a few activities that make you happy, as overcommitting can lead to burnout and feelings of loneliness.
When to Seek Professional Support
Signs of holiday anxiety can be hard to spot, as feeling overwhelmed or sad is common, but it may be time to get help if these start affecting your daily life or you are having panic attacks. Talking to a doctor or someone trained in cognitive behavioural therapy can make a big difference.
Hopefully having a plan in place will help reduce some holiday stress and anxiety!