4 Ways to Reduce Anxiety While Traveling: Rec. Reading v3

We recognize that habit-building and good mental health can’t be isolated to just one corner of the internet. Myrth is our favorite tool, but it’s not our only tool. In our regular Recommended Reading series, we’ll share links to articles, books, and other tools that we think you’ll find helpful in your journey.

This week, we’re thinking a lot about anxiety and travel (it’s the end of summer, and we know we can’t be the only ones squeezing in a few trips here). If you’re feeling a little panicky thinking about some upcoming trips you’ve got planned, we’ve got something for you this week in Recommended Reading.

1. Going on Vacation Without A Smartphone

Vacation might seem like the one time when you really, truly want to have your smartphone with you. What if you get lost? What if you have an emergency? What if you need to look something up quickly? But people vacationed before smartphones came out, and we can do it without them now, too.

Our participants overcame the initial emotions and then started to enjoy the digital-free experience. They found themselves more immersed in the destination, created more valuable moments with their travel companions, and had many more memorable and authentic encounters with locals. They felt free, happy, excited, and relieved.

Next time you’re on the road in a new place, try leaving your phone behind for part or all of the trip. See what sorts of new experiences you have.

2. The Best Airport Meditation Rooms

If you’re traveling a lot this summer, you might be feeling a little stressed out and anxious, or just in need of some peace and quiet. Lots of airports have started including space for rest and meditation. We loved this list of good airport meditation spots. Check out what they say about one of Myrth founder Emma McLaren’s favorite airport spots:

The meditation room at San Francisco International Airport is in Terminal 2. This space doubles as a yoga studio, so you can calm your mind and practice asanas. You’ll find the yoga and meditation room at SFO by following directional signs throughout the airport (they feature a yogi in a lotus pose). When you arrive in the studio, settle into the 150-square-foot haven that “gives modern travelers a space that fosters and supports quiet and reflection,” says the studio’s design director Melissa Mizell.

Think the list is missing your favorite spot? Send us a link so we can share it!

3. Tips for Traveling With Anxiety

Traveling can bring out a person’s fearful side and can also aggravate existing anxiety. Luckily, even the big travel magazines have noticed this, which is why Travel and Luxury partnered with psychologist Dr. Todd Farchione of Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders to talk about traveling with anxiety and ways to avoid making things worse. We especially loved the detailed instructions for a breathing exercise to calm a racing mind:

Diaphragmatic breathing entails slow, controlled breaths into the diaphragm. Farchione suggests the following process for breathing: Think the word “one.” Then inhale through your nose slowly, counting to 10 as you do so. Think the word “relax.” Count to 10 again as you breathe out through your mouth. Try this in traffic, in security lines, and whenever necessary.

4. British Airways Is Trying A New Meditation Program For Fearful Flyers

Ever sat on a plane next to somebody who is clearly nervous and uncomfortable about the prospect of hurtling through the air at hundreds of miles per hour? Heck, ever been that person yourself? Don’t worry, we get it - and so do some airlines, apparently. British Airways is testing out a new virtual reality entertainment system that includes options for flyers who are feeling anxious or fearful.

British Airways is the first UK airline to trial this technology. The company selected a range of therapeutic programs—including guided meditation and sound therapy—geared at those passengers with a fear of flying.

Right now, the service is only available for first class passengers traveling between Heathrow and New York’s JFK Airport, but we’re optimistic it will be such a success that they’ll expand its availability.

That’s it for this week’s anxiety-related roundup. We hope you’ve found something helpful or interesting to think about over the next few days. We’ll back soon with more good reading for you!

If you’ve seen a good article or book about anxiety lately, we’d love to know about it! Drop us a line in the comments.