12/04/2025
Airline travel is anxiety provoking these days, especially during the holidays. Delays, cancellations, and disruptions can all cause anxiety and throw a wrench in your holiday travel plans.
Here are our favorite tips to cope:
Plan ahead: Anxious high achievers often feel calmer when there’s a plan in place. Make your lists, check the weather, and start packing early. Use tools (even AI!) to help organize what you need. Think through how you’ll get to the airport, what snacks or water you’ll bring, and any arrangements that support your comfort. When your basic needs are taken care of, your emotional vulnerability goes down.
Know your travel style: Are you someone who needs to arrive hours early or someone who’s comfortable cutting it closer? Talk with your travel partner(s) about what helps you feel grounded. This isn’t about rigid demands—it’s about negotiating a middle path so everyone starts the day with less stress.
Accept the chaos: Travel days are unpredictable: delays happen, routines get disrupted, and people can be… a lot. Let yourself expect imperfection. Lowering the bar—rather than trying to pack in too much—helps you stay regulated and reduces frustration. Sometimes the best skill is simply acknowledging, “Today might be messy, and that’s okay.”
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