Pre travel Anxiety

I have travel anxiety really bad. I find my body really tense a lot of the time, I pack and repack a number of times, when it’s time to leave the house I am very close to meltdown point. This mainly when the whole household are all going away, if it’s just me it feels a little better, but also I am likely not going very far or for very long. 

I've never worried about not having enough clothes, but I have massive anxieties about not having enough books, I mean what if something went wrong with my kindle? In the days before kindles I'd have a big bag of books, a bigger heavier bag than the one with my clothes in!

I've only been flying a couple of times

The holiday I go from is the same each year, couple of days by the seaside with my parents - I love it and the bed and breakfast we stay in the owners know us really well

It's good your cats are being fed! Look forward to them being happy and excited to see you when you're back

I used to get nightmares about forgetting my ticket and having to go back home to get it and getting lost on the way home.

I flew somewhere on a business trip once with a bag full of wet clothes as the washing didn't dry in time. I had to hang it up 18 hours later when I got to the hotel to dry. 

I didn't get it organised. I think about stuff for days then do it all last minute too and get stressed. I try to do it earlier, I make lists, etc. But it all seems stressful whatever I do.

I get very anxious travelling too, it's hard isn't it.

To help, I'll spend a lot of time making lists (even if I've already gathered things, writing it down anyway is good), checking things off, writing up an itinerary if needed (depending on type of holiday), checking routes on goggle maps, checking timetables, counting money. Printing out things and just looking at them is calming.

I'm also terrible for doing it all last minute, as some clothes will be still drying the night before, tidying the house if someone is coming to feed pets which I forget till about an hour before leaving. Leaving out a key as I've put off asking someone to feed the pets and have to send a message after we've left with instructions. (Anxiety that I'm putting them out by asking). Preparing food if we are going by ferry which can be last minute (and then I'll forget the fridge stuff sometimes). Leaving late as trying to get the kids to use the loo before we go...

I can't normally sleep the night before, as I'll be thinking about getting up, it doesn't help I can't sleep the first night anywhere either.

We travel regularly to Ireland, to see in-laws, so this helps as we are used to the trip by ferry. We do want to go on an overseas holiday, but normally get overcome with indecision and anxiety and just go to center parcs instead.

I totally get that. 

I hate motorways too.

Thankfully not flying , lots of trains 

I only eat beige so I get your food worries

I dislike the actual travel bit, I'm not scared of flying, it's just boring and loud. I'm happy with trains, with both of them though it's the other travellers, being loud and smelly.

I don't like being on motorways and I won't drive on them which means if I accidently end up on one I panic and have nightmares for days after.

I get it terribly.

The last time I went properly away for a holiday, 10 years ago, I almost cancelled the previous day. It would have cost me thousands 

Once I get to the airport and get through security it calms down, but I am normally soaked sweat. The anxiety stops me sleeping, I look at the clock continuously. When get to the airport I have to have a stiff drink to calm down.

It is so horrible it stops me going. I used to fly a lot for business, but they were just as bad. I'm always exhausted by the time I get anywhere,  but so wired with adrenaline I manage to function fine. I just don't remember much if it.

I thought it was just normal nerves. Since I was diagnosed last year I now know it is not normal. 

I want to go away some more, I just need to psyche myself up. I am hoping now I understand myself it will be easier.

A simple trick I read is to force your shoulders down, even say down to yourself, and take a deep breath. It reduces the feeling almost immediately.

I worry myself into panic attacks, although some of my worries are real, like will I be able to find food I can eat as I've got so many alergies and intollerances.

The person feeding my cats feeds them but doesn't give them love.  It's not my normal person, she's away too

I get this as well, I worry that I won't have enough clothes and I won't have a good time - leads me to check about three times that I have enough! 

When I get there I have a good time and find I packed clothes so I would have some spare! 

Like you, I miss my family dog a lot, but knowing my brother takes care of her helps with that

I think it's normal to feel anxious etc when going away - my only advice I can give is to remember to breathe and remember there are shops if you need to get more of something

Kind if yes. Going away, making sure got everything etc.  The worse for me was going to see my children. Like you say, you know everything is ok, youll know it will be ok there and you will enjoy it, but leaving home behind and those there etc. Could lead to days of anxiety. Very difficult to navigate.

Enjoy your holiday.