There's no better feeling than knowing you're about to be on vacation, but, for some, it comes with an unsteady feeling in your stomach when boarding a plane or nausea that sets in hours before reaching the airport. These problems can be isolating and at times incurable, but there are ways to alleviate that anxiety and even specific techniques to overcome the feelings that overwhelm you. From personal experience, I can say that these methods really can change the angst associated with traveling.

Some of these techniques to avoid anxiety are physical. Simple things such as planning when you eat, what you eat, and how much sleep you need may seem obvious, but they really do help. I've traveled some far distances both domestically (Los Angeles) and internationally (Paris, London, and Serbia), and I know from experience that waking up an hour and a half before you are set to leave for the airport can really give you time to calm your nerves and get set for the journey ahead. Two big mistakes I have made too many times are waking up right before leaving for the airport and not eating enough before flying; you wouldn't believe how much that intensifies that nauseous feeling of nervousness before you take flight! Eating before can also relieve your stress and take your mind off of the worries that are filling your brain. Trust me, I know the feeling.

There are also ways to mentally prepare yourself for the trip. Taking the time to plan out your trip and become familiar with the “landscape” and culture of the place can be a great tool to conquering the unknown before you get there. Before I traveled to Europe I purchased books about the major sites to see and maps to become oriented with the layout before arriving at my destination. Traveling to foreign countries can be scary in itself, but anxiety can also come from the language barriers that stand between many travelers and the visited country. Now, I am not saying to learn the language of every country you plan to travel, but a simple search of keywords and phrases can help in case of emergency and alleviate confusion.

In my own personal travels, I have planned a trip to a country where English is not the dominant language spoken. In order to prepare for the trip, I found a tutor online who provided weekly tutorials and calls from outside the United States. It's safe to say that by the end, I felt prepared because of the language I learned directly from a local, all, but because I began using the Western Union app. Using the Western Union app, I would send money internationally to my tutor from the convenience of my home, which made planning for the trip basically effortless. This allowed me to easily send the money overseas and learn the language skills I needed, but also gave me comfort in knowing I had an easy way to send money if I ever needed to while on my trip! Having my trip and education paid for at the touch of a button definitely helped my travel anxiety. Stress that once masked my excitement, became excitement again towards what this trip and the rest of the world has to offer.

Travel anxiety is a real thing, and while many will not understand the stressful feelings and concerns that go along with it, there are always ways to overcome them. Things like planning ahead, taking care of yourself physically, and utilizing helpful services like the Western Union app are simple ways to overcome anxiety so you can focus on the adventures ahead. This world is a magical place filled with infinite opportunities. Don't let the fear stop you from experiencing them! And I won't either.