7 Easy Ways to Manage Your Anxiety When Travelling
In this week's podcast we're sharing seven easy ways to support yourself and manage anxiety when travelling.
Points covered in the Podcast
1. Keep grounded
eat well and rest well the day before travel
drink plenty of water (add Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy)
practice bringing your attention to your feet: notice how are they feel, rub your feet on the floor. Imagine walking in sticky mud - really feel your feet sticking in the cool wet soil. Or imagine walking by the ocean and feeling your feet in the cool, wet sand.
Our Resonance Album is ideal for flying. You can just listen and follow along with the guided meditations and it will help keep your mind calm and grounded, it will also help you pass time calmly.
2. Eat something
if you feel too nervous too eat a full meal have some nuts to nibble, or some oat biscuits with seeds, something to keep your blood sugar steady. Vata increases when we're hungry and that can increase anxiety
3. Allow extra time
rushing increases stress and anxiety
pack steadily in advance and avoid last minute worries over tickets, passport etc
time for parking
time to use the restroom
time for a snack or warm drink
time to practice calm breathing or read while waiting to board
4. Download support
For example:
a guided relaxation
a guided grounding practice (what the mind imagines your entire body responds to)
a breathing practice
a supportive podcast
or audio book
5. Say no to alcohol & caffeine
alcohol can make you feel light headed, which can increase symptoms of anxiety and fear of loss of control
caffeine can increase your heart rate and other feelings that mimic anxiety
take your own calming herb tea. For example: lemon balm, passion flower, chamomile, or mint if your stomach is upset when travelling and ask for some hot water.
6. Remember the Calm Point
How to do it: To find the point make a fist with your left hand and look for where your middle finger touches your palm. Now press that point with the thumb of your right hand for about a minute while you take deep steady breaths.
Relax your jaw and let your shoulders drop and relax as you hold the point and keep taking slow deep breaths.
Read more on the calm point here
7. Practice the Long Exhale calming breath
How to do it:
You can do this sitting or standing. (For example, you can do it in the check-in or security lines, or sitting on a train or bus.) Drop your shoulders and let your jaw relax.
Breathe in slowly through your nose and count to four. Keep your shoulders down and allow your stomach to expand as you draw your breath in.
Hold for a moment.
And now release your breath slowly and fully as you count to seven.
Repeat for a couple of minutes (or as long as you feel like it).
Read more on the Long Exhale here