9 healthy ways to cope if youre an anxious traveler

9 healthy ways to cope if youre an anxious traveler9 healthy ways to cope if youre an anxious travelerLove everything about travel except the actualtraveling? If youre like a lot of us, theres one major drawback to ur trips to see new places or visit our far-flung friends and family A lot of us really (like,really) dont like to fly. A significant number of Americans feel increased stress - or outright fear - about air travel. About18% of adults report being anxious about flying, and 12% say theyre actually fearful.Often, behauptung feelings have to do with placing our bodily safety in others hands Its a lack of control and having to trust someone else to get you where you need to go in a safe and secure manner, says therapistHeidi McBain, MA, LMFT, LPC. But its not just the time wheels are up that stresses us out. The headache of schedule changes, the yo-yo of hurry-up-and-wait, and the embarrassment of the dreaded security pat-down can all contribute to our heightened tension in a irports.Perhaps its not surprising, then, that a newsurveyfound that one in 10 airline passengers have snuck illegal substances (including marijuana, illicit prescription drugs, and even cocaine) aboard a flight - often to relieve anxiety. But you dont have to resort to trippy gummy bears just to keep your cool in the air. Instead, try some healthier coping methods. Here are nine techniques to consider before you hop on your next flight.1. Take your meds.First, if you have a diagnosed anxiety (or other mental health) condition, dont let the hustle and bustle of travel get in the way of remembering any prescribed medications you regularly take. Hurtling through the sky in a metal bird is the last place you want to be without this critical component of your mental health self-care. Add take meds to your pre-flight to-do list or packing list to be sure you dont accidentally forget.2. Allow plenty of time.The sneaking fear of missing the flight underlies many travelers stress. Not maki ng it to your destinationandlosing out on the money you paid for your ticket is seriously not cool. Giving yourself more wiggle room by arriving extra early at the airport early might allow you to breathe easier throughout your travel day.3. Walk before you fly.Exercise is a well-known stress reliever, but when youre waiting to board, you might feel a bit self-conscious jogging through the concourse or busting out a downward dog. A better option (if time allows - see the previous entry) is to go for a walk. Walking around before you get on the plane can be helpful to get rid of some of your pent-up energy, notes McBain.4. Try aromatherapy.Okay, so maybe you cant run your aromatherapy diffuser while squeezed in the middle seat in coach class, but thats not to say you cant carry on a discreetly sized vial of an essential oil you find soothing. Hold a calminglavenderscent to your nose when anxiety hits, or dab a few drops on your wrists or temples before heading to the airport. For ot her passengers comfort, just stay mindful of the strength of any scents you plan to pack.5. Bring a comfort object.A comfort object doesnt have to be a grubby old teddy bear from when you were five. (Thoughresearchindicates that hanging on to beloved childhood toys into adulthood can actually ease certain mental health difficulties.) Bringing along any object that makes you feel at home - your pillow, perhaps, or a favorite blanket - can help establish an environment that feels safe, even on a plane.6. Journal.Not all journaling is created equal. When turbulence starts up, its probably best not to put your freakout on paper. (So not just writing OMG Im gonna DIE over and over.) Instead, probe a little deeper.Whyis the bumpy ride scaring you? Compare any fears with the facts. Write about all the times youve traveled before and have been just fine, or that2.6 millionother Americans fly on any given day.7. Meditate.Nearly every kind of meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety, fro m mindful breathing to visualization. Fire up a meditation app or listen to aquick guided talkdownon YouTube while sitting in the terminal. One easy grounding technique is to focus on your five senses, says McBain. Take a few moments to tune in all youre seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, and tasting, and see if it doesnt help anchor you peacefully in the moment.8. Get educated.For those whose flying fears have to do with all that could go wrong from takeoff to landing, getting educated about the safety of air travel can allay these concerns. According toFlyFright.com, a site devoted to helping people overcome fear of air travel, the chance of being involved in an airplane accident is one in 11 million. And though turbulence can certainly be uncomfortable, itsextremely rarefor it to cause any damage more devastating than coffee spilled in your lap. Stay buckled up to ensure safety and let your fears just fly away.9. Get help.Finally, dont be afraid to seek help from a mental health pro for your feelings around flying. Says McBain If severe travel anxiety is keeping you from going on the trips and vacations of your dreams, a therapist who specializes in anxiety might be able to help you work through your anxiety at a deeper level to make these dreams a reality in your life.This article was originally published on Brit + Co.