In this commentary: Taming Your Travel Phobias<\/p>\n
in this commentary<\/p>\n
Many common travel anxieties, like the fear of losing a passport or using public transit, are irrational and not supported by facts.
\n Experts say you can overcome these fears by researching the reality of your destination and labeling the anxiety as irrational when it appears.
\n Savvy travelers can even benefit from these common phobias by zigging when the anxious crowds zag, leading to better deals and fewer crowds.<\/p>\n
The holiday travel season is right around the corner, and what better time than now to face your travel fears \u2014 especially your irrational ones?<\/p>\n
Sienna Hart\u2019s phobia is losing her passport. She constantly \u2014 and obsessively \u2014 checks to make sure her ID is in her pocket when she travels abroad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve even been known to pat it mid-flight, just to confirm it\u2019s still there,\u201d adds Hart, a vice president of sales for a social media company in New York. \u201cThe ritual is peak irrationality.\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u2019s right. Only about 0.1 percent of Americans lose their passport every year according to the State Department, and with her compulsive checking, she\u2019s probably not going to be one of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cTravel is an area where people often encounter anxiety that may not have logical grounding,\u201d says Savana Howe, a clinical psychologist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. \u201cIt affects their travel experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Irrational fears are all around us when we travel, from the fear of missing out to the fear of not being understood. But why are these fears irrational? And how can you position your next trip to ensure these fears don\u2019t get the better of you?<\/p>\n
Your voice matters: What\u2019s Your Travel Phobia?<\/p>\n
Your voice matters<\/p>\n
From compulsively checking for a passport to avoiding public transit, irrational fears are a common part of travel. But we all have our own unique anxieties. We want to hear yours.<\/p>\n
What is your number one irrational travel fear?
\n Have you ever let a fear stop you from doing something on a trip that you later regretted?
\n What\u2019s your best trick for calming travel anxiety when it strikes?<\/p>\n
Here are the most irrational fears travelers have<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a long list of phobias and irrational behaviors that travelers pack for every trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n