Coping with Travel Anxiety

[Princess Madeleine]

Hello fellow DISers! I'm wondering if anyone else experiences anxiety before travelling and has found ways to cope with it.

As background, I'm travelling to WDW in two weeks. Everything is planned to perfection: I've got a binder with my plans and confirmations, but I'm flexible with it when I get there. But, no matter how well I plan or how far in advance I get everything together, I always get extremely anxious leading up to departure. This happens with most trips that are bigger than running to the city for errands, but normally it subsides for flights once I get past security. Normally I don't sleep much or at all and feel nauseous days before departure. I'd like to avoid it if at all possible because we are heading to AK as soon as we land in Orlando.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has any advice to share!

 

[DCLPrincess]

I get anxiety a lot and what I found that helps me is something called grounding 54321. Basically you look around you and think of 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste.

 

[Wild4Walt]

It's not uncommon because of the amount of time and planning that we put in everything. You sound like me with the lists and binders etc. I also do grounding with the 54321 or even word association when I'm trying to sleep. That way I'm not focusing on my plans/fears something will go wrong etc.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I always freak out a bit before a trip. The reasons vary. I worry about waking up on time for early flights. I worry about having done everything before we leave. I worry about having forgotten various items. The source of the worry doesn't seem to matter as much as the fact as I know the worry will be there.

This may not be the magic answer, but I have come to accept that for me there will always be pre-trip stress. I'm usually good once I'm through security, but until then I worry about everything possible there is to imagine. Once I accepted that this is normal for me? It didn't relieve the stress, but it allowed me to feel that it's normal (for me) and therefore just another part of the trip.

 

[Best Aunt]

My distraction technique, if I can't fall asleep (or while I'm having a medical procedure like a CT scan where I have to lie still), is making lists in my head. If you like sports, mentally list every player on your favorite team and what position they play. If you like a TV show, mentally list every family member of every character. If you like shopping, mentally list every store in your favorite mall or shopping area. It gives me something to focus on other than whatever is making me anxious.

 

[maxiesmom]

I get a few Xanax. I don't always take them, but having them on hand helps keep me calm. I also do the 54321 grounding. In addition I have a book I'm looking forward to reading on my Nook or Kindle. That and my headphones playing music, and I'm good to go.

 

[Princess Madeleine]

I want to thank everyone for your suggestions and support! I'm definitely going to give some of these suggestions a try.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I fine having a glass of wine with dinner a night or two before my travel day helps. It helps me relax and get some much need sleep which in turn helps deal with the anxiety. There is also nothing wrong with having a mimosa the morning of your flight if you have a designated driver. It takes the edge off the anxiety of getting thru security and by flight time you will be good to go.

 

[goofy4tink]

I travel a lot, heading to WDW at least 5-6 times a year! I still get frantic and stressed the day of travel. I pack my bags a few days prior, then, on travel day, start obsessing about what I've forgotten. So, now I make lists, and check stuff off that list. Then I can look at it, and know that I have what I need. The night before I tend to have 'airplane sleep' if I have an early flight...again, I stress over not getting up in time for my flight. So, now I try to schedule late morning flights! I can take an ibuprofen pm and be sure to sleep that night prior to travel.
I leave plenty of time to get to the airport...traffic can hand out surprises!!! No one likes to spend a long time sitting at the gate, but it's preferable too worrying about not making it in time. So, I try to have at least an hour at the gate. I can use the ladies room, grab a bottle of water and a snack, stretch out and relax for a bit. I make sure my bags are the correct size for carry-on.
Once on the plane, I stow any bags, take my seat, and take out my book/headphones. I hate the noise on the plane, so using headphones, even if reading, really helps.
Drink plenty of water once on the plane. It helps!!!

 

[verleniahall]

Alcohol

 

[Karen46]

So glad others feel the same way. I do stress about getting up and missing that flight. I have learned that you have planned very well and that will eliminate any problems. I also now say I am not going to a deserted Island and I can get something if i really need it. I try to do relaxation techniques as well.
I have learned from a family member and it really made me relax. They had a flight change due to weather issues. They had sent their luggage on the flight but they got bumped off. Now they have no clothes and no flight and no rental car. My BIL says go book a disney hotel, they luckily got POFQ and went down to ME. They lady says where is your luggage and my SIL begins to cry and says this is all we have. They get to POFQ and bell services gets them a taxi, the taxi driver kindly waited at walmart for them for 30 minutes as they ran around buying some essentials for two days. Long story short they spent two days in Disney had an unexpected magical time and didn't plan a thing.
I had always wished I could be more relaxed but I am learning everyday.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one. I'm already losing sleep. These are great suggestions! Thanks for asking, Princess Madeline!

 

[Princess Madeleine]

Thanks again for everyone's responses. I actually haven't had any sleeplessness yet because I put in a ton of overtime this week. That's one way to do it I guess! Lol
I'm still a week out, so we'll see what the weekend holds. I'm so excited!

 

[SaintsManiac]

My anxiety is high right now and we are still 29 days out. I’m starting to worry about hurricanes, which I do every year at this time. Ever since Katrina I have this problem. I know it’s to be expected, but still bums me out. Just trying to keep busy and calm!

 

[MikeOhio]

It’s fascinates me that so many people got so stressed about a vacation!

 

[Karen46]

My anxiety is high right now and we are still 29 days out. I’m starting to worry about hurricanes, which I do every year at this time. Ever since Katrina I have this problem. I know it’s to be expected, but still bums me out. Just trying to keep busy and calm!

We missed our whole trip last year because of Irma, sad day when we unpacked but we could not burden the Disney people it was the right decision. So we try again.

 

[Christine]

Okay so I didn't know this was a "thing" but I've got it.

I just came back from a fairly last-minute trip. Started seriously planning it about 3 weeks before we left. I haven't vacationed in awhile. Also, we were driving so no flight concerns. But man, did I have some anxiety that I *think* was partially due to the lead up of the trip. I think I just started having shallow breathing because I spent 2 weeks NOT being able to take a deep breath or having that sensation. Couldn't sleep, etc. Saw a few doctors for it before I left. Once I got there it ALL went away. Our first stop was outside Orlando to stay offsite and do Universal. When we checked out to go over to Disney, I actually kind of had a panic attack that morning. No idea why. I do have Xanax but it doesn't really help it from starting (I'd have to be on it all the time for that to happen) but it does help to stop it once it starts. Some times I just really hate myself!

 

[Princess Madeleine]

Okay so I didn't know this was a "thing" but I've got it.

I just came back from a fairly last-minute trip. Started seriously planning it about 3 weeks before we left. I haven't vacationed in awhile. Also, we were driving so no flight concerns. But man, did I have some anxiety that I *think* was partially due to the lead up of the trip. I think I just started having shallow breathing because I spent 2 weeks NOT being able to take a deep breath or having that sensation. Couldn't sleep, etc. Saw a few doctors for it before I left. Once I got there it ALL went away. Our first stop was outside Orlando to stay offsite and do Universal. When we checked out to go over to Disney, I actually kind of had a panic attack that morning. No idea why. I do have Xanax but it doesn't really help it from starting (I'd have to be on it all the time for that to happen) but it does help to stop it once it starts. Some times I just really hate myself!

You are not alone on this one. I haven't had a full on panic attack over travel in a while, the last one was three years ago when I drove with a group to a fraternity convention in Chicago. It's always worse when driving than with flying for some reason, but I almost cancelled that trip over it. I'm so sorry it happened to you, but I hope you had a magical trip regardless.

 

[goofy4tink]

It’s fascinates me that so many people got so stressed about a vacation!

I don't think anyone here is stressed about a vacation , per se. I think it's more of a 'what the heck have I forgotten' type thing. We plan and plan, but as we get closer to the trip, we worry. By the time we're a day or so away, it's too late to change or add anything. Social media has made it all so much worse. We need to get those FPs, make those ADRs, know exactly where we're going on each day, and what we'll be doing, and when we'll be doing it. We see so much online that we start to really worry that we haven't done enough. And then, it's too late.
Disney is partly at fault for this....they've made planning 6 months out a priority!!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

It’s fascinates me that so many people got so stressed about a vacation!

I'm not stressed about my vacation. I stress about packing, setting up care for my cats, my house and then getting there. Once we get settled in it's all good.