SPOTLIGHT ON: ADVENTURE ANXIETY

How to quiet your mind and enjoy your holiday

- ZOE SNELL

Does the thought of travelling again fill you with doubt? You’re not alone. Author Bunny Banyai explains everything you need to know about overcoming travel nerves.

HOW COMMON IS TRAVEL ANXIETY?

Many people who don’t commonly experience anxiety feel nervous or worried while preparing for a trip, and it’s completely normal. When we travel, we remove ourselves from all the familiar and comforting rituals of our home life, and as we’ve all learned during lockdowns, those familiar routines are very anchoring. We give ourselves over to the unknown when we travel, and in particular when we travel internationally. Australians also face extremely lengthy journeys to many destinations, and knowing how much distance you’re putting between yourself and your home country also adds to those feelings of worry. But the good news is, travel anxiety is largely anticipatory – you’re very unlikely to spend your whole holiday in a state of heightened anxiety!

WHAT CAUSES TRAVEL ANXIETY?