How To Travel With Anxiety

Last Updated on: 24th February 2025, 11:40 am

I have written about this in the past but I just wanted to write an update. Because I have tried to get out of my comfort zone more recently. I guess I am pushing myself to my limits more than usual. I wanted to share some tips and advice on how to travel with anxiety.

Did you know that I struggle to go to the supermarket on my own? I usually use Iceland because they are best at keeping food in the same place. There is less choice and I can be in and out. I know it is more expensive than other supermarkets but it is my safe one. If someone is with me, then we will go to Aldi or Sainsbury. And I love seeing the variety of food in there. But I cannot go in there on my own without having anxiety.

How Can I Travel With Anxiety To Another Country?

So how can I travel to another country? The answer is that I don’t know! I have only ever travelled alone twice. Once was a few years ago and I travelled to see my granddaughter. It was a route Tilly and I had done dozens of times before. But I made sure I had help all of the way.

The second time was a press trip to Romania last June. I went to a country I had never been to before, flew with an airline I had never flown with before and I landed at 2 am in Bucharest. I walked around the dark airport car park until I found a random person to drive me 2 and a half hours to where I needed to be. And I just thought to myself that if anything was going to happen, I was happy Tilly wasn’t with me. But risk-taking is also part of my Bipolar.

Things To Arrange Before You Travel

1/ Firstly, get yourself a sunflower lanyard. This shows you do have an invisible illness, sadly these were abused during COVID-19. Suddenly everyone had an invisible illness! This sunflower Lanyard will help you too travel through the airport, because the staff recognise it. It was also recognised in airports abroad too. I have had it recognised in Amsterdam and Reykjavik Airport.

Only one person needs to wear the lanyard; you can usually take a second person through with you. The lanyards are free; you can pick one up at Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer. At the airport and some train stations across the country.

2/ Make your airline aware that you need help. You usually do this when you are booking the tickets. If you forget to do this, you can usually call the airline and mention that you need the help. They will put you on the travel list for assistance at the airport. Although with an invisible illness, some countries still don’t recognise it. So you will need to prove you need a wheelchair with a doctor’s note. We found this with any airline that works out of Turkey, they only recognise physical disabilities.

This is why we usually stick to Ryan Air, who sort it all out online. Easy Jet, who you call to arrange it, but they are always so nice on the phone. With Wizz Air, I had to call the airport directly for assistance.

The assistance you get from the airport is invaluable! They will ask how you need help and if it is just going through security, that’s fine. The assistance is usually open by 4 am for early flights. They are patient and helpful. they will take you straight to the airport and help you on it if you need help.

At The Airport

3/ At the airport you go to the designated assistance place. You hand over your boarding pass with your flight details and name on it, and they find you on the computer. They will know what help you need, as long as you have made the airline aware before you travel. They will ask you to wait until the time is right to take you through security.

4/ If you are able to go through security yourself, you can use the accessibility lane. The staff at the special assistance section will ensure you have a sunflower lanyard to help the staff identify your additional needs. If you struggle with anxiety going through security, make them aware. But in my experience, they talk softly through the accessibility security and they tell you not to rush. They make you feel calmer.

5/ When you get through security, if you go through on your own. You will need to make your way to the next assistant desk. They will either ask you to stay and wait or give you a pager. It all depends on what airport you are going to. If you are with a member of the assistance staff, they will take you to the desk. The assistance will help you to the gate and onto the plane if you need it.

On The Plane When You Travel With Anxiety

6/ When you book your plane ticket with Ryan Air, you are allocated a seat if you have certain disabilities. these seats are at the back of the plane. You still get to choose your seat within the disability allocation. As Ryan Air loads from the front and the back, it is alright having these back seats as you are behind the wing and you can get on and off easily. If you have a physical disability, they will use a lift to help you on and off the plane.

7/ Have a chat with the flight staff, especially if you are feeling anxious about the flight. They are trained to help you.

8/Double-check with the airline staff that you have assistance to help you off the plane. This is as important as using it to get on the plane. They will help you to navigate the airport, which helps if you have never used it before.

9/ Occupy yourself on the plane. Get your phone out and watch a movie, listen to music or play some typing games. This will occupy you for the journey and before you know it, that 4-hour flight is nearly ended. Occupying yourself with your phone relaxes and destresses you.

Enjoy Your Trip

Anxiety should not stop you from travelling, you just need to find ways to navigate around it. With the help and support from your family and friends, you can travel with anxiety!