Travel Anxiety and Why It’s on the Rise After COVID


I used to love traveling. The excitement of new places, the thrill of exploring, even the simple joy of packing my bags—it all felt like an adventure. But something changed after COVID. Suddenly, the idea of airports, crowded trains, and unfamiliar cities felt overwhelming. I wasn’t alone. Travel anxiety, which was once a niche concern, has skyrocketed post-pandemic, affecting people who never struggled with it before.

Why Travel Anxiety Has Increased

Before COVID, travel worries were mostly about flight delays, lost luggage, or missing a connection. Now, there’s a whole new layer of fear—health risks, unexpected restrictions, and the uncertainty of what’s safe and what’s not.

  1. Health Concerns Haven’t Gone Away

    • Even though the pandemic isn’t making headlines like before, the fear of getting sick while traveling is still very real.

    • Being in crowded spaces—airports, planes, public transport—can trigger anxiety, especially for those who had bad experiences with illness in the past.

  2. Rules and Restrictions Keep Changing

    • COVID taught us that travel rules can change overnight. Countries shut down, flights got canceled, and people got stuck. That unpredictability still lingers, making it hard to fully relax.

  3. Financial Worries Are Higher Than Ever

    • Travel is more expensive now—flights, hotels, even basic expenses have gone up. With economic uncertainty, many people worry about whether they can afford to travel.

    • There’s also the fear of losing money if a trip gets canceled or postponed.

  4. Social Anxiety Has Increased

    • After years of social distancing, jumping back into busy airports, packed metros, and tourist crowds can feel overwhelming.

    • Many people got used to staying in their comfort zones, and the thought of navigating unknown places again can be stressful.

  5. The Fear of “What If”

    • What if I get sick while traveling?

    • What if my flight gets canceled?

    • What if I get stuck somewhere due to new restrictions?

    • What if I can’t handle being in a new place after so much time indoors?

This constant loop of what ifs is at the heart of travel anxiety.

How to Manage Travel Anxiety

The good news? Travel anxiety doesn’t have to stop you from exploring. Here’s what helped me (and what might help you too).

1. Start Small

If the idea of a long international trip is overwhelming, start with short getaways. A weekend road trip or a short train ride can help you rebuild confidence in traveling again.

2. Plan, but Don’t Overplan

One of the biggest mistakes I made was over-researching every little detail. Instead of easing my anxiety, it made it worse because I was trying to control everything. Planning is good, but leave some room for flexibility.

3. Prepare for Uncertainty

Instead of fearing uncertainty, I started expecting it. Flight delays, last-minute changes, and unexpected hiccups are part of travel. The more I accepted that, the less anxious I felt.

4. Take Precautions, but Don’t Obsess

  • I still carry a mask and sanitizer, but I don’t let fear of germs ruin my trip.

  • I buy travel insurance to ease my worries about cancellations.

  • I research basic health facilities at my destination, just in case.

Taking these precautions makes me feel more in control without feeding my anxiety.

5. Focus on the Excitement, Not the Fear

Anxiety makes you focus on everything that could go wrong. But what about everything that could go right? I started reminding myself of why I loved traveling in the first place—the new food, the beautiful sights, the fun experiences. Shifting my focus helped me enjoy the journey more.

6. Practice Relaxation Techniques

  • Deep breathing exercises helped me when I felt overwhelmed at airports.

  • Listening to calming music or podcasts during flights kept my mind occupied.

  • Grounding techniques (like focusing on five things I can see, four I can touch, etc.) helped me when I started spiraling.

7. Give Yourself Permission to Feel Anxious

I used to get frustrated with myself for feeling travel anxiety. But pushing it away only made it worse. Now, I let myself feel it, acknowledge it, and remind myself that it’s okay. Anxiety doesn’t mean I can’t travel—it just means I have to travel through it.

Final Thoughts

Travel anxiety is real, and it’s more common than ever post-COVID. But it doesn’t have to keep you stuck. The world is still out there, waiting to be explored. The key is to take it step by step, at your own pace. The first trip might be scary, but trust me—the more you travel, the more confident you’ll feel.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Role Of Non-Banking Financial Companies In Venture Debt Financing

Image
Startups, the lifeblood of innovation and economic growth, often face a common challenge: securing adequate funding to fuel their ambitions. While traditional bank loans and equity financing remain popular options, a lesser-known yet increasingly prevalent alternative has emerged: venture debt financing. In this article, we'll delve into the realm of venture debt financing and explore how non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are empowering startups on their journey to success. Understanding Venture Debt Financing Venture debt financing, as the name suggests, involves providing debt capital to startups and high-growth companies. Unlike traditional bank loans, venture debt is typically structured to complement equity financing rounds rather than replace them entirely. This form of financing offers startups access to additional capital without diluting existing ownership stakes. Also Read: Abhay Bhutada Shares Insights on Poonawalla Fincorp’s Long-Term Objectives How Venture Debt W...
Read more

Ways To Maximize Return On Assets (ROA)

Image
When it comes to navigating the complex world of finance, one key metric that deserves your attention is Return On Assets (ROA). If you’re interested in finance, you must be already well aware of the importance of optimizing ROA for businesses. But today, we'll dive into some practical strategies that can help you maximize ROA and boost your financial performance. Understanding ROA Before we jump into the strategies, let's quickly recap what ROA is. It is a crucial financial ratio that measures a company's ability to generate earnings from its assets. While also indicating a business's efficiency and profitability. ROA is calculated by dividing a company's net income by its total assets. The result is expressed as a percentage. If the financial performance of a company is to be improved, it is very important to maximize its return on assets. There are a number of ways in which it can be done -  1. Cost Control And Margin Improvement Controlling costs is another vita...
Read more

A Roadmap Using Risk Asset Acceptance Criteria for Quality Enhancement

Image
In the dynamic landscape of finance, understanding the nuances of risk asset acceptance criteria becomes paramount, particularly when it comes to shaping the quality of assets. Abhay Bhutada, a voice of authority in the financial realm, sheds light on the significance of these criteria in ensuring robust asset quality. Understanding Our Segment Abhay Bhutada, Poonawalla Fincorp’s MD sheds light on the importance of comprehending the specific segment within which an organization operates. Lower ticket personal loans may dominate discussions, but Bhutada underscores that their focus lies elsewhere. Operating in the top quartile of the customer segment, their clientele boasts a credit score of 700 plus, a clean repayment track record, and an average ticket size exceeding Rs 1 Lakh. The Strength of Risk Asset Acceptance Criteria The bedrock of their success lies in a robust Risk Asset Acceptance Criteria. This stringent set of parameters ensures that the borrowers in their portfolio are c...
Read more