When you are traveling alone you might find that at many times you feel uncomfortable or you might even feel a little more anxiety at certain times. People who are traveling alone will often have these feelings because they are leaving the comfort of being at home with their friends and family and leaving all things that are familiar to them. If you have made the decision to travel alone you might have some fears and anxieties. Below are some tips for how to beat these anxieties and enjoy your trip.
Eating By Yourself : Traveling alone
If you are new to traveling alone you will find that one of the biggest causes of anxiety is eating your meals alone. One thing to keep in mind is that you will overcome this feeling pretty quick. If you feel like eating alone in the beginning is tough for you it is always possible to pick up some take out and eat it in the comfort of the room that you are staying in. In the meantime you should try to meet people, whether it is other people who are traveling or the locals of the area. You can then invite them to eat meals with you. This is the perfect opportunity to share good food and awesome conversations with interesting people.
Not Having Any Backup
A big fear to have when you are traveling by yourself is to not have someone with you if something happens. This could be if something goes wrong or even if you get hurt or sick. Even trying to figure out which way to turn, having help with a foreign language or anything else that you might need assistance with. What needs to happen here is that you force yourself to become more independent and self- sufficient. If this is your first time traveling alone you might actually come out a little more independent when your trip is over.
Being in Danger
If you are traveling alone you might find that your number one anxiety is being in danger. This would mean getting attacked or mugged or really anything else that could happen because you are a solo traveler. There are ways to keep yourself safe when you are not traveling with anyone else. An example of this is not walking anywhere alone in the dark. You should also be very careful about who you release any personal information to. You do not want strangers to know that you are alone and you must definitely do not want them to know where you are staying. One other way to protect yourself is to make sure someone close to you knows your plans and you check in with that person often.
Talk To Strangers And Make New Friends
Talking to strangers and making new friends might be difficult for you depending on your personality type. Some people find it easy to take to strangers while others find it a little more difficult. The good news is that as a solo traveler you do not have to talk to anyone your do not want to. Unfortunately there will be times where you will be forced to talk to people you do not know and you may not like it. Some of these situations are when you check into your hotel, asking for directions, or even asking someone to take your picture. The best way to beat this fear is to be very friendly and outgoing, force yourself to smile and be approachable. If this part is tough for you joining a tour group might be a good option for you.
When you are traveling by yourself you might find yourself in certain situations that may make you uncomfortable and cause you anxiety. By simply following the tips above you might find that traveling alone is something that you enjoy.
Image via Flickr travelling alone
