Many Americans are afraid to travel now. Here’s what you should do about it.

Maybe it’s one of two signs of the recent hurricanes in the Southeast or the escalating tensions in the Middle East. But Americans seem more afraid to travel than ever.

Squaremouth blames rising anxiety on the coming flu season, frequent flight cancellations and the usual threat of hurricanes this time of year. Symptoms of travel anxiety include nervousness, insomnia, restlessness and even panic.

Even business travelers are affected. A recent survey by World Travel Protection found a third of frequent business travelers feel anxious.

Although the survey didn’t measure historic travel sentiment, it seems clear that American travelers haven’t felt as anxious since the pandemic.

But what causes anxiety? And what can you do to fix it before it ruins your next trip?

Travel anxiety stems from uncertainty, experts say.

“It can be seen by many of us as we deal with the stress of navigating busy airports, finding viable travel options, and planning for unpredictable weather,” he says. Salamata Waiga, a mental health practitioner with Teladoc Health.

How to overcome your fear of walking

There are practical steps you can take if you are afraid to walk.

• Get the knowledge. Dalia Feldman, who works for Tourist Israel, a tourism agency, says: “Sometimes, it’s just a matter of talking about government guidelines that specify safe areas and list any necessary precautions. to protect oneself. Feldman has been dealing with concerns about traveling to Israel since the latest conflict in the Middle East broke out, and finds that information from official sources can do much to reduce travel fears. (Here’s my guide to the best travel tips.)

• Reduce pre-trip stress. “See if there are ways you can change the way you deal with your travel anxiety,” says Dora Kamau, a mindfulness and meditation teacher at Headspace. “It’s not about passing, it’s about being ready and being there.” For example, write a list of things to do according to important points to ease pre-trip anxiety. And learn a few words in the local language, like “please” and “thank you” to help you break the ice and build better relationships with the locals.

• Consider travel insurance. While a policy won’t make your trip safer, it can give you peace of mind. “Travel insurance can remove some of these worries by reimbursing lost expenses paid in advance when a trip is canceled due to the policy and by providing 24/7 travel assistance that can handle anything that may arise. may appear,” says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA.

• See the expert. If you’re still concerned about your ride, you may need to take it to the next level. Raymond Yorke, spokesman for Redpoint Travel Protection, says: “For serious travel concerns, talking to a psychologist or counselor can be helpful. “Psycho-behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques are often effective in managing anxiety.”

But really, how can you calm your fears before you go?

Here are a few tips for dealing with your fear of travel

I admit, I have been very nervous about the next few trips. One was an Antarctic cruise right after I broke my hip and was still on crutches. One was a trip to Israel before the war. I had a constant fear of an explosion in Jerusalem.

Adrienne Means-Christensen, who teaches psychology at Virginia Tech, says thinking about your trip before you go can help.

He says: “The important thing is to try to understand what is the thinking that leads to the feeling.

For example, if you are worried about the plane stopping on your flight, think about the possible consequences. What’s the worst that can happen? What will I do if it happens? And can I live with that?

“Anxiety can be caused by fear of the unknown,” says Angela Williams, a psychiatrist in Orlando, Fla.

Acquiring knowledge is easier than ever. Another excellent resource is a site called Sitata, which has topics such as diseases to be aware of, recommended vaccinations, safety concerns, cultural differences, and emergency numbers.

“That allows us to deal with many sources of anxiety by empowering our users to directly manage and resolve uncertainty,” says Adam St. John, CEO of the company.

If you’re worried about flying, resist the urge to use sedatives on the plane. Bob Bacheler, executive director of Flying Angels, a medical transportation service, says: “A combination of any sedative from Benadryl and a benzodiazepine such as Valium or Xanax, alcohol, and reduced blood pressure Cabbage can have life-threatening effects. He says he’s seen things go wrong many times and advises you to talk to a doctor before checking yourself on a plane.

I was also afraid to walk. That’s how I got over it.

How did I overcome my fear of traveling? I consulted a doctor for the accident to get the green light to go to the Antarctic and read all the information I could about traveling to the Middle East. My trip to the Antarctic went off without a hitch, and I recovered so quickly that by the middle of the trip I no longer needed crutches.

And in Jerusalem, I didn’t have any explosives, but I found a very good shawarma at the local Shuk market. And with everything that’s happening today, I won’t hesitate to come back.

In an age of uncertainty, travel anxiety has become an unwelcome staple in our suitcases. But a little information, preparation and courage can send your fear of walking into the lost luggage sector.

Remember, good researchers face their doubts before they make history.