Repeat with us: "When you are there, it will be worth it"
You have done everything right. You have dreamed of your trip for months, you have saved and organized your finances, you have looked for information about the destination, you have booked flights and hotels, And, finally, it's just around the corner: the day of departure.
Nevertheless, there is a little voice that seems to be determined to spoil the party, no matter how hard you try to shut her up. What if the trip goes wrong? What if you miss the plane? You don't speak the local language, what if you get lost and can't call for help? What if everything goes backwards? What if this trip is, after all, a catastrophic idea?
Trust us, we've been there. Pre-trip anxiety is a real thing. and many travelers experience apprehension a few days before leaving whether it's their first trip or their thousandth.
The good news? not invincible, and with a little preparation you will ensure that it does not ruin your trip.
Don't let anxiety ruin your trip!
1. FIND ALL THE NECESSARY INFORMATION
Have you ever heard that information is power? Well, when it comes to crossing borders, even more so. The act of leaving the comfort zone (I mean, from home) is a leap into the unknown... and with it comes anxiety.
think for a moment what is the origin of anxiety Whether it's the possibility of something bad happening, of catching an illness, of feeling alone or alone, or of fighting with your fellow travelers, it all comes down to one word: uncertainty.
The best antidote to uncertainty is, you said so, information. If you are afraid that something will happen to you on the way (say, your passport will be stolen), find out which areas of your destination are at higher risk, what to do to mitigate it and what steps you should take to solve the problem.
Same for possible health risks. Are there any vaccines that you can get, or any foods that should be avoided?
As for the concern of if you will feel alone or alone, before leaving you can look for forums or Facebook groups in your destination where you can connect with people.
If you are traveling with friends or your partner and you are worried about possible disagreements, make sure you both (or all) have a compatible plan and expectations, or if not, if you would be willing to separate yourselves in some sections of the itinerary.
If you are traveling as a couple or with friends, make sure you have a compatible plan and expectations
two. PLAN YOUR FIRST DAY
A good way to combat anxiety is to plan your first day at your destination. Know what awaits you (at least in the abstract) once you land It will help you calm your nerves and will give you precise instructions on what to do, step by step.
Things like carry local money from home or knowing exactly where the airport ATMs are will take a cloud out of your mind.
Book a hotel (at least for the first night) and write down the address, both in Spanish and in the local language (or at least in English), on a physical piece of paper: mobiles can be treacherous.
Find out how you can get from the airport or station to the accommodation and what forms of payment they accept. Bring a couple of options for places to eat or dine (in case one of them is closed).
Take local money from home or have ATMs located
3. BUT DON'T PLAN TOO MUCH MORE
Beyond the first day do not take every second of the trip thought out and written down on a strict schedule. Some things may not go according to plan, and setting your expectations too high can result in clashes and disappointments if your trip doesn't go exactly as expected.
Also, much of the beauty of a trip is the spontaneity. Imagine that you meet a group of travelers with whom you make good friends and you want to spend the rest of the days with them, or that the hotel receptionist recommends a day trip to the outskirts of the city that is not in your guide.
These experiences are what will later become your best memories, Leave some space in your daily schedule for them to show up.
Sometimes it's better to improvise!
Four. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
No matter how much they do on vacation, travel can be exhausting. Being in good physical condition (at the individual level of each one) will help you enjoy it as much as possible, as well as help with pre-trip stress.
You don't need to do anything out of the ordinary. Follow your exercise routine (try not to skip it, no matter how busy the last few days are), get enough sleep, eat healthy and try not to go overboard at your farewell party.
Once at destination, don't give up good habits. Of course, do not avoid trying the local cuisine and its corresponding alcoholic potions, but try to stay hydrated (eight glasses of water a day is good everywhere) . Try to participate in activities that get you moving, like bike tours of the city or some hiking.
Very important: take good travel insurance. We sincerely hope that you do not need it, but it is always, always a good idea.
Don't forget to hydrate!
5. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED
Fundamentally, everything you can't get at destination (if you leave your toothbrush, we guarantee that you can almost certainly buy one there) .
your passport (and digital copies). special medication (and copies of the recipes in case they ask you at customs) . your prescription glasses, if you need them (or lenses, including a spare pair) . Your good luck talisman (if it works for you, go ahead) .
Also have on hand things that you may need as soon as you arrive, or that will make your life and the journey easier: the mobile and charger, padlocks for the suitcase or for the hostel lockers, a change of clothes in the carry-on suitcase (in case the invoice is delayed) .
And a piece of advice: if you are going to leave the Schengen area or the European Union, take a pen to fill out the immigration document. They usually have them at the destination, but you don't want to spend the entire flight thinking about what to do if there aren't any (or they don't work).
Passport, mobile, charger... Make sure you bring everything you need!
6. SEARCH WHAT ROUTINE YOU CAN HAVE AT DESTINATION
This tip is especially relevant if you are going on a long trip (a month or more), but even if you're only going away for a few days and you're nervous, thinking of your destination as your temporary home will help. Find out how you can reproduce certain aspects of your daily life, with the peculiarity and the special touch that being in a different place will give you.
Find a Gym where you can sign up for the time you are going to be, and try some of the classes. If you are going to work while traveling, locate some coworking space where you can meet other digital nomads or local entrepreneurs.
With the help of Google, go what bars, cafes or restaurants are nearby where you are going to stay and when you arrive stop by, in case you can become a regular customer of any of them. The familiarity of the process will help you acclimate to your new setting much faster.
Find a café or a coworking space where you can feel comfortable
7. REPEAT WITH US: “WHEN YOU ARE THERE, IT WILL BE WORTH IT”
If the night before going out you can't sleep because of your nerves, remember that it's temporary. Anxiety will disappear as if by magic as soon as you arrive at your destination, immediately or a couple of days later.
Do not forget that this is your trip, the one you planned and dreamed of for so long. Don't let anything stop you from enjoying it.
Think of the final reward!