Does planning a break give you the holiday heebie-jeebies?

The build-up to a summer break can pile on anxiety. Whether it's pressure for perfection or a long list of jobs, Mlatt Nixson shares expert tips to calm the stress...

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We spend all year desperate for a holiday – but the preparation can leave you in a world of stress. In fact, the week leading up to a getaway is the most stressful time of year for four in 10 adults, a poll from National Express has found.

It might sound counter-intuitive, but experts say it's highly usual. The trick is to get past that anxiety and enjoy your holiday without suffering long-term.

"It's actually totally normal to feel overwhelmed right before a holiday, even one you've been counting down to for months," reassures Dr Heather McKee, a behaviour change psychologist. "In behavioural science, we know that uncertainty is a key driver of stress. Our brains hate it and, in the lead-up to travel, they often go into overdrive imagining everything that could go wrong. That pre-holiday panic, 'Why did I even book this?' is your mind trying to protect you from the unknown.

"The trouble is, it can cloud the excitement and stop you from enjoying the break you've worked so hard for."

SO JUST WHAT IS TRAVEL ANXIETY?

Dr Sheena Kumar, a Chartered Psychologist, says: "Research suggests travel anxiety often stems from a fear of losing control or being in unfamiliar environments, which activates the brain's threat response system.

"Studies also show that people with generalised anxiety disorder or past traumatic travel experiences may be more prone to experiencing travel-related distress."

Dr McKee adds: "Travel anxiety tends to affect perfectionists or people who like to feel in control in their daily life.