First Federal Bank Blog

Having the opportunity to travel is a wonderful thing, whether it’s taking a cross-country road trip or flying across the ocean to get an entirely new view of the world. You may be one of the many people unable to fully enjoy that privilege due to a condition called hodophobia, or the fear of travel. If you have a fear of traveling but want to break the spell so that you can enjoy your vacation days to the fullest, these tips can help you breathe easier when looking ahead to your next trip:
 
What causes hodophobia?
 
The fear of traveling can manifest in many different ways. Healthline contributor Eleesha Lockett notes common symptoms of hodophobia can include nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty sleeping. Extreme cases can cause panic attacks and a sense of loss of control. These are pretty typical of common anxiety, which may suggest that an anxiety disorder is contributing to your issues.
 
As it relates specifically to traveling, WebMD states the two main causes are trauma related to a past traveling experience or fears related to world events. In the case of the former, you may suffer from a fear of traveling if you were involved in a car accident or even had a particularly unpleasant experience on an airplane.
 
Fear of travel related to world issues is quite prevalent in the wake of COVID-19. Travel restrictions, the possibility of canceled or postponed trips, and the fear of contracting the coronavirus can all contribute to travel anxiety. You may also experience enhanced feelings of anxiety if you are traveling to a place that has recently experienced a violent event, be it a natural disaster or political upheaval.
 
How to combat travel anxiety
 
If you believe you suffer from hodophobia, your best course of action is to seek help. Timothy J. Legg, a licensed psychologist and contributor to Healthline, recommends getting a proper diagnosis from your primary care provider and a referral to a mental health professional. Working with a licensed expert can help you work through your fear and stay ahead of it.
 
According to WebMD, two therapeutic treatments for hodophobia are exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The former desensitizes you to travel with gradual exposure, making it more commonplace and less anxiety-inducing. According to the American Psychological Association, the goal of CBT is to change thinking patterns in order to change reactions and behaviors.
 
Lockett recommends identifying triggers that may bring on bouts of travel anxiety, which can range from travel planning to passing through airport security to too little sleep. Once you figure out the things that may cause you to feel anxious, you can more effectively counteract them. If you get nervous thinking about missing your flight, take steps to get to the airport an extra hour early so that you can relax before boarding.
 
WebMD recommends several steps that can help you work through feelings of anxiety, including practicing mindfulness and deep breathing or visualizing a successful trip. Your doctor may recommend a temporary medication like beta blockers or sedatives, but it’s best if possible to avoid relying on any solutions that could prove habit-forming.
 
One great way to ease travel anxiety is to take trips with a person or people who you love and trust. They can help you through the process of traveling, be it implicitly with their presence or explicitly when needed, and will make it a more meaningful experience when you arrive at your destination.
 
Once you understand you have hodophobia or travel anxiety, know what sets it off, and take measures to counteract it, you can start to look forward to taking trips.