I’m going on a vacation tomorrow to see my friends and my boyfriend in the UK, and I’m super excited.
I love traveling, experiencing a different culture and country. Seeing new things, tasting new food.
I’ve been in the UK many times, and it feels more like my own country then Denmark does.
I love the culture there, and the food is amazing.
Fish and chips, Sticky Toffee pudding, and the fizzy drinks it’s the best.
Though I’m really excited to travel I’m also in super alert mode.
From experience I never get a lot of sleep, my mind is filled with a million thoughts of how the travel would go, if I remembered to pack everything, and what happens if I’m late to the plane or its cancelled.
I’m almost certain everyone feels this way when we travel some where new, but I really wish I would be better at getting the sleep necessary for the journey.
I’m not sure If its because I’m HSP or just super nervous about traveling but sleeping enough before something important is basically impossible for me.
I have to sneak in small naps and do small preparations to get the sleep necessary. Like sleeping when I’m in the plane, get a little shut eye in the train and so on.
On purpose I went to bed last night early and woke myself up early so I would be tired tonight. Hopefully it helps.
I used to have fears when I was about to travel somewhere new.
I travel alone, but thoughts like what if the plain crashes, and its in the middle of the ocean?
Or what if the train is delayed and I miss my plane?
What if I get robbed of my passport and money before I hit the airport or on the way back?
This used to be a big issue for me when I was traveling in the past, and it almost made me too fearful of traveling, but I found a good strategy, for all the possible bad scenarios, and that is figure out a solution if it happens, before it ever happens.
If my plane crashes, Trust the people on the plain to know what to do, the people who work there.
If the plane crashes and we all die, well I had a good run, and it was my time. Weirdly enough that thought comforts me enough to not be so scared of the plane crashing.
If I’m late to the flight, I’ve made sure, I have money to take another flight which will be the same day or latest tomorrow. No harm done; I’ll just miss a few hours.
If I forget something, then I can buy it over there.
If I lose my money or passport, I’m sure my friends would help me out, the Danish embassy, and my bank.
So, I’m confident it will be fine, I got a plan. Even for the craziest thoughts. I taught myself to find a solution to even the worst possible outcomes.
It still doesn’t stop me from thinking the million thoughts, and sleep doesn’t come easy, but the fear is gone. Every time I feel fear, I just check off my plan in my head, and I feel calmer.
Feeling overwhelmed in a crowded space is also one of my issues when I’m traveling. I feel on alert mode constantly and feel completely drained at the end of the journey. Its not uncommon it takes me a few days to feel more relaxed.
I have a few things that helps me feel it less in a crowded space. Listen to loud music to drown some of the voices and noise out or read a book. These 2 things work wonders for me.
Feeling too overwhelmed by being in a crowded space doesn’t have the best effect on my body. I often feel stomach cramps, my IBS flares up. (Irritable bowel syndrome), My heart races like crazy, and I get muscle cramps, followed by headaches and what not. I try to treat myself to some peace and quiet once and a while. Be able to zone out, and recharge when I feel too overwhelmed can help these symptoms. I travel early in the morning the first day which normally means its less busy.
I have to mention my book again, reading gives me the option to zone out completely when I’m standing in line. It helps a lot, being able to zone out like that.
Being an HSP you have to remember to take mini breaks, and go to a quiet space, and reading is my quiet space. If you don’t take the small breaks, being out among people for that many hours, where it can be rather chaotic with people running from one place to the other, being busy, it’s a lot.
And I’m sure that’s why my body reacts so strongly to this.
Though I still love traveling even for the crazy thoughts, the no sleep, and the feeling overwhelmed by my surroundings.
Being out and seeing new things, is amazing. I love flying, feeling when it lifts off the ground and we are airborne, riding trains, and looking out at the scenery, the airport shops and food vendors. The look on people’s faces, who are excited to travel. Its an adventure every time.
So who do you relax your mind before you travel and when you are on the road?
What works for me is
- Tell myself its going to be okay
- make a plan for worst case scenarios
- make a check list and cross it off before and after you have packed.
- double check just in case
- rest my thought after Ive packed that I got everything and If I did forget anything remind myself that ill just buy it when I’m there
How do I relax when I’m on the road?
- Read a book, even if I’m standing in a line
- Look out the window at the scenery
- listen to music
- Go to a more quiet space, like the bathroom
So yeah ill be away for 2 wonderful weeks, so I won’t be writing new posts for a while, but when I get back ill have pictures and new stories to tell.
Have a wonderful evening, and may your travels be relaxing and a good adventure.
Missfaylyn 