There's been plenty of stress surrounding the pandemic itself but when it comes to travel-related stress, it's something that not many have had to deal with nor are they familiar with it. The last thing anyone needs is more stress although sometimes, that's inevitable. For those who are considering traveling again this year and have already been vaccinated, meaning they're guarded against the virus with up to 95% reliability, it's tough to not be concerned about what travel looks like and if there are any risks still associated with doing so.
Aside from the obvious reasons as to why a person might be hesitant and uncertain about traveling so soon, there are other things to spur feelings of anxiety: the extra precautions needed such as wearing a mask still and frequent hand-washing, the thought of potentially spreading the virus to someone who hasn't been vaccinated even though they have, and the new regulations and guidelines that transportation companies have in place for the foreseeable future. It won't be easy to overcome travel-related anxiety but there are some ways to cope with it, and even some things that might make a person feel more comfortable with getting to know the world once again. In order to understand it, though, we must first analyze where it comes from.
What Causes Travel Anxiety, And What To Look For
It's not unusual for the general population to feel anxiety after major disturbing events - even people who don't normally feel anxiety over the average stressful situation. So with something such as a pandemic, the rate of global anxiety high, and statistics are beginning to prove that, as well. According to a survey conducted by CouponCabin, the enthusiasm behind being vaccinated is seemingly high, and more than half of the US population is planning on being vaccinated when it becomes available to them. However, even with that being said, 25% of the population was still uncertain about whether or not they would end up getting the vaccine with 21% claiming they have no intentions of it. Despite the fact that vaccines have been proven to save lives and reduce the symptoms of potentially fatal viruses, these studies prove that there is much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and its solution, and this also causes anxiety surrounding travel.
The anxiety over whether or not travelers will be protected against the virus with a vaccine, whether or not they need to be wary of those who aren't opting to be vaccinated, and the act of embracing travel, period, has made many reconsider whether 2021 will be their year. Overall, a person who's vaccinated and goes through phase I and phase II of the vaccine (any of them), with the appropriate amount of time passing post-vaccination to allow the body's immune system to work with the vaccine, is generally safe to travel.
However, feelings of anxiousness, general unease, and paranoia are very common following periods of tremendous stress during something such as a pandemic. Panic attacks, anxiety attacks, a constant feeling of adrenaline, sleeplessness, and feeling sick or unwell (not virus-related) can all be symptoms of travel-related anxiety prior to a trip.
What Can Be Done To Ease These Feelings?
That same survey by CouponCabin revealed that 67% of people planning to travel will make their first trip to see family and friends. A total of 58% of people said they'd travel on vacation first, while an additional 49% of people said they were most looking forward to staying local and going to restaurants or bars instead. Following that, 39% of people said shopping is what they planned on doing first, with 35% attending a live, in-person event, 31% planning on hosting an in-home gathering, 27% participating on sports teams, 21% were excited to go back to in-person workplaces, and 19% of people who planned on attending school in-person once again. Every category but the first two involve remaining local which shows that many people are experiencing hesitation when it comes to long-distance travel or are just appreciating what's in their own backyards, which should be of some solace to most who are prone to experiencing FOMO.
The biggest, most popular option for post-vaccine travel is to see family and/or friends, which is also reassuring in the sense that most people are ready to devote time to their loved ones before planning vacations, and this is a great place to start if you're feeling travel anxiety. Having a goal in mind that's familiar or a destination that involves someone you're comforted by is a great first step. Additionally, giving yourself some space and room to ease into travel post-vaccination is another thing you can do to ease symptoms of anxiety. Lastly, starting with local things, such as going to restaurants, visiting your favorite stores once again, while wearing a mask and continuing to follow protocols, will help expand a person's comfort zone once again without forcing cross-country travel right away.