Don’t Let Your Fear of Traveling Keep You Home
There are all kinds of benefits to traveling – the opportunity to visit new and amazing places, the chance to meet new people, the escape from your usual humdrum surroundings – but many of us stay home because of a crippling fear of traveling.
We worry about stepping out of our comfort zones. We are filled with ‘what if’ fears about those things that could go wrong while we’re away. And we are fearful about such things as airplane travel, strange new foods, and a potential culture shock. As a result, we stay at home or take vacations in places that aren’t very far from our locale. We then miss out on so much and fail to tick off those dream destinations on our bucket lists.
Are you relating thus far? If you are afraid of traveling, for whatever reason, you might want to consider the following.
#1: Remember that life is short
Travel can be scary but think of the alternative. Would you rather live a life of regrets? It would be terrible if, when at an advanced age, you looked back on your life and realized you hadn’t experienced much of what the world has to offer. Think about this when you are making excuses as to why you shouldn’t travel. While you might still experience some anxiety while away, at least you will have the opportunity to face your fears and live your life instead of retreating away in a safety bubble. And besides, it is possible to manage your travel anxiety, so don’t let this deter you from exploring those parts of the world that you are desperate to see and experience.
#2: Don’t travel alone
There are benefits to traveling solo – you don’t have to compromise on your itinerary, for one – but if the idea freaks you out, then don’t go alone. Bring a friend along with you. Take your family. Travel with others on a tour package – these Safari tours by On the Go Tours are amazing, for example. Or, if you do have to travel alone, try to mingle with other tourists while you’re away. By taking up one of these options, you will have people alongside you for support and companionship, and to literally and metaphorically hold your hand.
#3: Visit a safe country
A common reason for fear of traveling is personal safety. What if I get mugged? What if I get fleeced by a con artist? What if I end up on the front line in a war zone? While we can appreciate this fear, you shouldn’t let this deter you from traveling. The first thing you need to do is learn a few travel safety tips. There are loads in the linked article, with advice on everything from keeping your valuables safe to how to avoid local scams. And the second thing you should do is research countries to visit. Some places are safer than others, so if you are afraid of being robbed and if you don’t want to end up in the middle of a civil war, don’t visit those countries where you are most likely to be at risk. Use this travel risk map to narrow down your choices of places to visit.
So, don’t sit at home longing for a travel adventure, but never venturing far at all crippled by your fear of traveling. Consider our suggestions, and then research ways to overcome the personal fears you have about traveling. You will be glad that you plucked up the courage after exploring much of what the world has to offer you.
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