These 9 things help ease my travel anxiety and keep me calm on the road
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If you face anxiety, you’re not alone. Over 40 million Americans suffer from some form of anxiety. Many of these people find it difficult to travel to their local grocery store, let alone to another country. I am one of those people.
It all started after I caught an infection from a basic procedure. One minute I was healthy, the next I was fighting for my life. The experience left me with physical and mental scars, including anxiety.
When the pandemic came, I, like millions of others, found myself hiding at home in isolation, worried about getting sick again. I was desperate to go out and enjoy the world but paralyzed with fear for almost three years.
In the end, the main things that eventually got me to come out of my cave were amazing friends, a great therapist and an overwhelming desire to travel. But it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had panic attacks on planes and sometimes feel like I’m the only person still wearing a mask everywhere I go.
Now that I’m back traveling again, I’ve come across a handful of travel gear and wellness products that help me stay calm on airplanes, in hotel rooms and elsewhere on my journey.
Let’s take a look at my favorite travel products and how they help ease my travel anxiety. While none of this is medical advice, these products might help improve your travel experience too.
She’s Birdie The Original Personal Safety Alarm for Women
Safety concerns remain one of the primary factors holding people back from traveling. Luckily, the sisters at She’s Birdie have been working hard to keep people safe by creating The Birdie and The Birdie+.
These small devices attach to your handbag, backpack, belt, etc. If you feel like you’re being followed or are ever in a scary situation, you simply pull on the device, detaching the base from the lock, and a loud alarm goes off with a strobe light to attract attention.
The company also offers the Birdie+, which is a more advanced version with a GPS tracker that can notify authorities of your location if you’re based in the US. It’s a simple and effective way to give you that extra bit of confidence, so you can enjoy days (and nights) out again
From $26 at Amazon
From $26 at Walmart
Lane Bryant Compression Socks
If you’re worried about thrombosis, especially on long-haul flights, it’s a good idea to wear compression socks. As a plus-size woman, I’ve been worried because I want to wear them but have never found them in my size — until now. Plus-size store Lane Bryant has created these compression socks in multiple colors so you can match them with your outfit. Now I can be stylish and safe while I fly, which is a great relief.
KeepGoing Travel First Aid Kit (130 pieces)
Being prepared is one way to feel like you’re in control of situations that are out of your control. That’s why I like to travel with a KeepGoing First Aid Kit.
The company started when two parents took their two toddler children on a road trip and quickly realized that most first aid kids were not properly equipped with what they needed. In turn, they created a more well-thought-out kit with cartoon bandages and a wide selection of quirky cases.
These first aid kits are perfect for calming both kids and adults because they make the “scary” items appear to be a bit more fun. I know I feel less anxious when I see a case covered in dinosaurs or rainbows than I do medical tools. If you are looking for something a little more discreet or elegant, they also have solid color cases or patterns.
They also have different sizes to fit your travel needs. As I’m traveling solo, I’m taking the smallest version with me, which is about the size of my hand and contains over 60 items. Meanwhile, the larger bags can store up to 270 pieces.
Tiger Balm Ultra-Strength Pain-Relieving Ointment
One thing that pulls me out of a panic attack is smelling something strong and pungent. In my experience, this distracts my brain and moves the worry away from my anxiety trigger.
I like using Tiger Balm Ointment for this. Its menthol scent is so strong that it instantly overwhelms my brain. It’s small and easily fits in my bag. But better yet, the smell reminds me of my mom taking care of me as a kid when I was sick. It gives me that instant feeling of “everything is going to be okay,” which is helpful in the moment.
Spotify
I have multiple Spotify playlists that help keep me calm in different scenarios. For example, I have classical music playlists that I listen to when I’m in the thick of a stressful situation. I have Disney playlists for when I need to go to my “happy place.”
There are meditation playlists that allow me to dig deeper and heal when I have a quiet moment of strength. And I have hard rock playlists to help when the time is right. Whatever my mood and whatever level of anxiety, I have a playlist to help.
Fitbit Luxe
I have had quite a few panic attacks, and they’re not fun. But I’ve managed to get many of them under control early, thanks to the Fitbit Luxe. Now, when my heart starts racing, I simply look at my Fitbit and can visibly check my heart rate. It’s a great gadget that acts as a voice of reason. When my brain is acting like Chicken Little, telling me, “The sky is falling,” my Fitbit is there to say, “Girl, you’re not even up to the level of a brisk walk.”
It’s been the perfect stopgap for anxiety meltdowns for years, and I’m so grateful for it. I never leave home without it. Oh yeah, and it also makes a lovely watch too.
Diptyque Travel Candles
When you’re traveling and anxiety starts to strike, it’s comforting to know you can retreat to your hotel room. However, sometimes hotel rooms can feel very cold and soulless, which can make the situation worse. That’s why I like to carry a Diptyque travel-sized candle when I go abroad.
These all-natural French candles smell divine and can really help transport you to a happy place. When I get stressed, I like to turn off all the harsh LED lights, light my favorite Mimosa candle and meditate or take a long hot bath.
Mind Panda Stress Balls
Fun fact: When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol. It’s the fight-or-flight hormone that is used to help us run away from danger, like a grumpy lion.
Today, we don’t usually have the luxury or desire to sprint a marathon when we get stressed. The trouble is, when we don’t burn off that burst of energy, it gets stored as fat, primarily in the belly, and that’s not good for our mental or physical health.
This is where Mind Panda’s Stress Balls come in handy. They let you squeeze your hands as tight as possible without any pain, getting some excess energy and tension out in the process. It may sound silly, but I’ve found it highly effective.
Charmast Portable Phone Charger
Many people spend a lot of time worrying about their phone battery dying and the possibility of missing important calls or being stranded alone in an unfamiliar place with no way to call an Uber or get help. There’s a simple solution to instantly put your mind at ease. It’s the Charmast Portable Phone Charger.
It was important for me to find something small and lightweight that wouldn’t add to my already heavy bag. This portable charger is the size and weight of a lipstick tube, so you barely even notice it’s there. Just plug it into the bottom of your phone and away you go. So, snap all the photos you want, take all those videos, enjoy your trip and never worry about your battery losing juice again.
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