Tips for Preventing Business Travel Anxiety - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips for Preventing Business Travel Anxiety - Introvert Whisperer Tips for Preventing Business Travel Anxiety Once upon a time, the average person rarely had to step foot beyond their home, whether that was an 18th-century house on the prairie, a medieval farm plot, or an ancient Roman provincial farm. In the modern world, though, travel across vast distances is both a common and regular occurrence. Just because traveling long distances on a weekly and even daily basis is expected, though, it doesn’t make it any easier to do if you’re an introverted person who also struggles with travel-related anxiety. If you find the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end at the thought of buckling in for a road trip or getting onto an airplane, here are a few suggestions for ways to help calm your nerves and make the best of each traveling situation you might find yourself in. Preparing to Travel While it’s important to learn to manage your nerves while in transit, it can also be very helpful to plan accordingly before you ever step foot on that plane, train, car, or bus. For instance, if you have a counselor, consider running any travel plans by them first. Don’t be afraid to do so in detail, as they may have valuable input or advice. Modern therapy is regularly evolving, and many counselors are much better equipped to offer sound advice for managing things like anxiety and stress in relation to a specific activity. Asking for a second opinion from someone uniquely qualified to answer can be a wise move. Another long-term element that is worth addressing, especially when you’re asked to travel for work, is your work-life balance. It’s well worth the effort to take time to define your own work-life standard and then try to stick to it. While this may seem like a separate issue from managing travel anxiety, it can actually play a key role. If you feel satisfied by your work-life balance, it will go a long way in helping to keep your stress levels under control when a trip is requested and may even give you more to look forward to as you travel. Substitute Controlled Caution for Unbridled Fear Dealing with fear is part and parcel of an introvert’s walk through life. But just because you need to confront fear on a regular basis doesn’t mean you should allow it to dictate any of your decisions. One of the common challenges with travel anxiety is the sudden, crippling fear that can completely paralyze one’s ability to enjoy a situation … or, at times, even function at all. However, if you take the time to step back and consider what situations set off this paralysis in your own life, it can allow you to formulate a strategic solution. Take, for example, long trips driving your car. If you find that driving long distances for a business trip or even a family vacation whips up your nerves, don’t be afraid to take some of the control back into your own hands by purposefully and carefully practicing defensive driving. Stay at the speed limit, don’t drink or impair your abilities before getting behind the wheel, and keep your phone turned off while on the road. These are already recommended ways to reduce the chances of getting hurt in everyday driving, and adopting them as your “travel mantra” can help restore a sense of peace and control while you travel. Keeping Perspective Every time travel requires public transportation, or really using any vehicle other than a personal car, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in a sea of other people. The conversations, bustle, and overall noise can be quite overwhelming. However, if you know you’re heading into a situation like this, it can be helpful to schedule out your traveling time in order to minimize the stress of the situation. For instance, the next time you know you need to hop on a cross-country flight for work or to visit relatives, plan on stepping back and mentally calming down whenever required as you travel. This isn’t just an empty suggestion â€" really take the time to pause your thoughts and then step back and consider each situation you find yourself in. If you know you get anxious about the possibility of perishing in a fiery plane crash every time you board a plane, remind yourself that there are literally fewer transportation options that are safer than a plane. Seriously, just as a point of reference, you’re nearly 90 times more likely to get die in a car than on a plane â€" and we use the four-wheeled option nearly every day. In addition to the mental battle, also consider scheduling in time to recover after you’ve finished traveling. Don’t plan your trip to end right before a big business meeting or family get together. Give yourself a chance to rest before you dive into the next adventure. Keep Things on Your Terms Whenever Possible Finally, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, try to resist the temptation to over-book your trip. In addition to avoiding doing too much, try to choose quality activities that accommodate your own desires and interests. Pick activities that will help you keep your mind at ease and give you time to yourself before and after you travel. Don’t feel like you need to visit, say, Time Square the next time you’re in New York City simply because “you have to have the experience.” If you prefer serenity and tranquility, find a quiet coffee shop or visit a park instead. An important thing to remember as you prepare to face your traveling fears is that you are in more control than you might think. You can often dictate what you’ll do before and after a trip in order to prepare and debrief. In addition, as is the case with something like driving carefully, you even have a significant degree of control over how you get from one place to another. Take advantage of these tools and tips in order to make your next trip as stress- and worry-free as possible. By Sam Bowman Sam Bowman  is a freelance writer and introvert who enjoys getting to utilize the internet for the community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time, he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore. Image Source: Pixabay Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. 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