Panic attacks don’t care if you’re driving, busy working, or sound asleep. They can occur at any moment without cause even when you’re trying to enjoy yourself while on vacation. Do you have a big trip coming up and feel worried that panic attacks will ruin your vacation? Read ahead to discover 3 tips for managing your panic attacks while on vacation.
Be Prepared
If you want to travel with ease, it is important to leave for vacation feeling equipped to get through your panic attacks as they occur. You may want to have a plan with whomever you are traveling with as to what the strategy is if a panic attack takes hold. For example, you may request that your loved ones give you the space you need to recover and allowing them to enjoy some activities while you go back to the room to center and settle down. Some additional steps you can take to prepare for your trip include completing any follow up with your prescribing doctor and/or therapist. Let your clinician know your concerns about traveling and make sure you have enough of your medication to take with you.
Plan Ahead
Keeping a good schedule and plan can be one of the best ways to keep your anxiety to a minimum while traveling. Have a clear itinerary, book your hotel and other accommodations ahead of time, and be ready for the unexpected. It helps to be organized, but your anxiety can also be better managed if you aren’t too rigid. Have a backup plan if there’s a rainy day or if the museum you couldn’t wait to see is closed. And don’t sweat the little hiccups that can occur while traveling. Allow yourself to indulge in a good book or fun magazine, especially if you experience an unexpected delay at the airport or a hotel room that isn’t ready upon your arrival. Remember that remaining flexible while traveling can go a long way in keeping your stress and anxiety under control. It can also be helpful to be aware of your anxiety triggers. For instance, if you tend to get anxious while traveling by airplane or in large groups, decide ahead of time how you are going to handle such situations. Be certain you have your medication with you and labeled with your current information. Many airline travelers who are taking prescribed medications find it useful to have some in their carry on and more in their boarded luggage.
Develop Your Relaxation Response
When faced with stress, many people will attempt to ward it off while others will try to avoid it. The fight-or-flight stress response is the term used to describe how humans have a tendency to want to attack (fight) or run from (flight) perceived or real dangers in the environment. This stress response is thought to be more easily triggered in those that suffer from panic attacks. One way to get a grip over your fight-or-flight response and feelings of stress and anxiety is to cultivate your relaxation response. This can be done by finding ways to help feel calmer, let go of stress, and improve your sense of personal energy and motivation. Some common relaxation techniques include:
Deep breathing exercises Visualization for relaxation Mindfulness meditation Progressive muscle relaxation
Think of your relaxation response as a muscle that you need to develop now so that you’ll be ready to use it while on vacation. You will need to practice your relaxation techniques in advance so that they will come easily to you while you’re traveling. Pick a relaxation method that works for you and try to practice it 5-10 minutes, several times a week, during the time leading up to your vacation. Many relaxation techniques can be easily done in the morning to start your day out fresh or completed right before bed to allow you to unwind and let go of any worries that built up throughout the day. Keep at it and these techniques may help you better deal with your panic attacks while you vacation.
