Many people suffer from travel anxiety, yet they are helpless in controlling the condition. Most people with the condition experience nausea or diarrhea, which may make traveling undesirable. Other symptoms include rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. When you have the symptoms of travel anxiety, you will be agitated and restless while traveling. You will also have trouble focusing, and your concentration levels will be low.
While travel anxiety can significantly affect your vacation, it doesn’t have to. There are several ways you can control the condition and have fun while traveling. For example, CBD edibles are reliable at managing anxiety.
CBD is one of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Studies show that CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can manage anxiety and other mental disorders.
CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body to generate different effects. CB1 and CB2 receptors are primarily found in the brain and the central nervous system. It is not yet clearly understood how CBD affects brain chemistry by attaching to CB1 receptors.
Research suggests that CBD can alter serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that regulates various brain activities that affect mood, happiness, and well-being. Low levels of serotonin, consequently, lead to increased risk of anxiety and other mood disorders.
Conventional medications used in treating anxiety generally target serotonin. Drugs like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used for anxiety disorders and have proved successful.
CBD performs the same function as SSRIs by enabling the accumulation of serotonin in the brain. Anecdotal evidence also shows that many people who use CBD for mood disorders find it beneficial. So, you could use CBD to manage your travel anxiety. The other benefits of CBD are that it is fast-acting without the side effects associated with other medications.
The triggers for anxiety vary between individuals, even if they suffer the same condition. Some do not like the feeling of traveling in a car or flying on a plane, while others worry about being late or encountering unexpected outcomes.
The goal of identifying anxiety triggers is so that you can plan on managing them. Once you manage the triggers, you will have done a great deal of keeping your anxiety at bay. You can begin by making early preparations so that you do not have to rush at the last minute.
Try not to think about what to expect on your journey. When you overthink about the future, there is a likelihood that you will become apprehensive, which might trigger anxiety. Instead, practice being calm and relaxed.
Planning early can be helpful. Forgetting to pack important belongings can also cause worry and trigger anxiety. Start planning your trip early to make a list of all the essential items you need. Go over your list a day before the trip to ensure that you have packed everything.
If you are disturbed by the effect of a moving vehicle or plane, you can use distractions to take your mind away from the moment. You can also listen to music on your phone or play a game that you find interesting.
One of the significant causes of travel anxiety is unfamiliarity with the destination or the environment one is traveling in. In most cases, if you know what to expect, you will find that nothing surprises you.
Some people like surprises and like to find out about their destination when they arrive. If surprises make you anxious, read about the destination, or acquire necessary information about the place and the journey itself. This may take some fun from the adventure, but it will help keep your anxiety in check.
If you are an introvert, you might be worried about surviving or moving around in a new place. It is advisable to try and make some friends before you travel. Call them and find out about the destination. You can even arrange for them to meet you when you arrive. Alternatively, you talk to someone who has visited the same location before. They can share their experiences with you so that you know what to expect. This will help reduce your anxiety as things will not seem so strange after all.
While travel anxiety is a severe disorder that can ruin your adventure, manage the condition by following simple actions. Medications such as CBD can also help as they control hormones and neurotransmitters that influence anxiety attacks.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-anxiety
https://www.self.com/story/travel-anxiety-tips
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