For some, traveling alone has always been a daunting proposition. It can be hard enough to pluck up the courage to go somewhere new in your local area, let alone a new country.
If you’re naturally a shy person, the prospect of visiting a new place, or even staying with someone unknown can be worrying.
Thankfully, in most cases it’s possible to overcome these fears and even use solo travel as a tool to mitigate social anxiety in your day-to-day life.
What is social anxiety?
Social anxiety (or social phobia) is a debilitating fear of social situations. It usually manifests itself during teenage years, and can abate with age. For many people it won’t disappear without treatment or tackling the problem head on.
There are multiple symptoms of social anxiety –
- – Worry that something you’re doing is embarrassing.
- – Find it difficult to do something while others are watching
- – Have a fear of being criticised
- – Find it hard to maintain eye contact
- – Feel sick, sweating or trembling
- – Increased heart-rate when in social situations
Social anxiety can be caused by a number of triggers. Maybe you were embarrassed in a situation when younger, perhaps you’re scared of the unknown or you might have had a bad experience while flying in the past.
How to overcome social anxiety when traveling
As with most phobias, the key to tackling your social anxiety is to understand what causes it.
Once you have an idea of the root of the problem, it becomes much easier to tackle it. You’ll also be aware ahead of time that there might be challenges to overcome if you able to pinpoint when the anxiety starts.
There are some techniques you can employ to assist you and make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Plan everything.
By removing the unknown, you are less likely to stumble upon something that throws you for a loop, instead being prepared so that when the moment arrives you are ready.
Recognise and alter the triggers
Once you’re aware of what causes you the most anxiety, you can start adapting your response. Maybe you eat an apple everytime you start to feel anxious. Soon your body will start telling you to eat an apple instead of feeling anxious.
Practice mindfulness
Take 10 minutes to do some deep breathing and bring yourself back to the present. The anxiety is a symptom of worrying about what MAY happen, not what is happening right now. By closing your eyes and focusing on your body, you will be able to take control of the situation.
Travel at your own pace
Don’t feel rushed to do anything. Your heartbeat is going to be raised by potentially anxious moments. Don’t add to it by worrying about rushing anywhere. Leave time to get to reservations and make sure to stop if you need to.
Don’t mix up the signals
Excitement and Anxiety go hand-in-hand with their bodily responses. If you come across an event, meal or activity that you find stimulating you may begin to feel you’re becoming anxious. Make sure to touch-base with yourself and confirm which feeling it is.
Bring a journal
A lot of anxiety is caused by rattling around in your head. By bringing a journal and writing down how you’re feeling – your thoughts and worries – you can mitigate their effect as they leave your head. Make sure to write down your successes too!
Avoid crowded places
If it begins to become hugely overwhelming, you can avoid triggering it by staying away from tourist hotspots or areas that will be full of people.
Connect with someone before you go
If you know someone in your destination ahead of time, they may be able to help you deal with symptoms while you’re there. Having the knowledge you’re not entirely alone can also reassure you when negative feelings do start to set in.
With Freebird Club, you can connect with a like minded local ahead of your visit. They can give you a really in depth understanding of your destination so that you understand what places to go that suit you – be it a more peaceful park or a quiet art gallery and when to avoid busy places.
Summary
Being socially anxious can feel prohibitive to travel but it doesn’t have to be. There are many coping mechanisms available and the condition is beatable. Many people have claimed that travelling has helped them overcome social anxiety in normal life.
By taking steps to identify and manage your feelings, replacing negative triggers with positive affirmations and understanding your response, you can equip yourself with the tools to overcome social anxiety while travelling and experience the wonder of the world.
If you’re interested in travelling to a long sought after destination, why not check out our hosts?
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