How to deal with crowds and other stressors

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It’s going to be a crazy summer there for travel. Are you ready?

If the projections are correct, the journey will be derailed. We’re talking skyrocketing prices, seemingly endless lines, and frayed temperaments. Additionally, there is a war in Ukraine and a pandemic still raging in some parts of the world.

I have traveled to Africa, Europe and the Middle East since the start of this year, interviewing tourism officials about their expectations for this summer. Almost without exception, they describe what is about to happen the same way: It’s like a tsunami slowly rising over the horizon and soon to engulf us all.

“This summer,” says Cleous Young, world traveler and author of “airport adventure,” a children’s book about airport security, “everything that can go wrong will go wrong”.

Yeah, it’s gonna be an adventure, okay.

But with a few expert tweaks, you can face the summer of 2022. If you slow down and take a minute to figure out what’s going on, you’re halfway there. And there are internal tweaks that will also help you through the busy travel season.

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Lower your expectations. After two years of not going anywhere, many Americans are ready for a vacation. But experts say you shouldn’t research 2020 service levels and pricing – you’ll be disappointed if you do. “Lower your expectations,” advises Dr Sandeep Vaishnavia psychiatrist with Mindpath Health. “The brain’s reward system is particularly activated if results exceed expectations. In the case of a busy travel season and all that entails, if you lower your expectations and things sometimes go well, the brain will feel rewarded and get a dopamine boost. It will leave you in a happier state of mind.” It’s understood? Waiting less can make you happier.

Let the world pass. The summer of 2022 will be circus. Don’t be one of them, experts say. Instead, just observe. “Travel gives you the opportunity to challenge your perspective on the world and on yourself,” says patrick walch, a psychotherapist from New York. “Consider adopting an attitude of observation rather than an attitude of engagement with your fellow travelers. There are countless millions of little power struggles we can find ourselves in while traveling, none of which really matter. importance. Instead, pause and let others argue over position and discuss propriety.”

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Take care of yourself. This is especially true if you are traveling with children. There’s a temptation to ignore your needs and focus on taking care of everyone else, which isn’t really a vacation. “Be careful”, says Andrea Anderson Polk, a licensed professional counselor from McLean, Virginia. She says travelers should regularly ask themselves what they need, feel and want. “It’s not a selfish exercise,” she adds. “It’s necessary to cope with stress.”

Pay attention to what you eat and drink. It’s tempting to indulge on your first big trip, but that would be a mistake, warns Dan Meyer. Director of Backpack, an experiential travel program. “It is extremely important to take care of your physical well-being when traveling,” he says. “Focus on what you put into your body as much as what you are not.” He says plant-based meals will give you essential nutrients when you travel. He also recommends staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol.

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Repeat an affirmation or a mantra. A positive statement that helps you overcome negative thoughts can get you through a stressful flight. “Choose a positive mantra and repeat it in your head at least 10-20 times,” says Henry PenixCEO of Soak, a wellness app. “I am patient, and I have enough patience to get through this day. Or, I love to travel and welcome new experiences. As you speak these words, your mind gives in to what it is being told, as the stress and tensions disappear.”

Practice recognition. This is one of the most repeated tips from therapists and wellness experts. “Remember how lucky and privileged you are to be able to travel,” says Raphael Antoninoa counseling psychologist with therapy center, a counseling center in London. “Gratitude can be the best way to regain your balance when frustration kicks in – take deep, slow breaths and keep in mind how lucky you are to even travel in the first place.”

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I agree that it can be helpful to set your expectations and change your travel habits. But you have other options. A few weeks ago, in Turkey, I met Funda Eraticithe Susona Bodrum regional hotel sales manager. She told me about Yellow Summer in the Bodrum region – the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October. “It’s still hot here,” she told me, “but the crowd is gone.”

This is perhaps the most practical expert coping strategy of the summer: avoidance. I’ll see you on the road – but maybe a bit later this summer.

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“Sometimes we get a little overambitious and start to feel stressed that we can’t see all the sights we wanted,” says Tasha Holland Kornegay, a licensed mental health clinician in Sanford, North Carolina. His advice? Play by ear. “Give yourself a few things to do each day, but also let the world take you where it can.” Planning too much will only stress you out and you may miss unexpected opportunities.

Forget to breathe. It’s how you breathe that matters when dealing with travel stress. “Concentrate on taking deep, slow breaths, especially when engaging with technology or human beings on your journey,” says Ruth C. White, wellness specialist. “Times like checking in your bags, going to a service counter, going through airport security. Or sitting in traffic to and from airports, train stations, or on car journeys.” Slow, deep breaths calm your nerves and help you become more focused. They will take you through the worst.

Wait until the last minute to book your rental car. Remember last summer when rental cars were almost impossible to find? Experts are looking for a summer sequel. “Pay attention to the order in which you make your reservations”, advises mike taylorwho leads travel research at J.D. Power. “Given the shortage of rental cars and disruptions to flight schedules, it may be best for travelers to book the rental car first, then the flight, then the hotel.”

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