Contents
- 1. Nomophobia (fear of lack of mobile communication)
- 2. Acrophobia (fear of heights)
- 3. Agoraphobia (fear of public places, crowds)
- 4. Misophobia (fear of germs)
- 5. Xenoglossophobia (fear of foreign languages)
- 6. Desynchronophobia (fear of jet lag)
- 7. Macrophobia (fear of waiting)
- 8. Scoptophobia (fear of attracting attention and seeming ridiculous)
- 9. Hagiophobia (fear of shrines, objects of worship, religious places)
- 10. Godophobia (fear of travel)
Unfortunately, we still cannot travel around Europe, however, there are many interesting places in our country, and many are going to spend holidays in different parts of Russia. And some will risk going to distant exotic lands … What can overshadow the rest? We studied the top 10 fears of a traveler, and psychologist Ksenia Avers told us how to deal with them.
1. Nomophobia (fear of lack of mobile communication)
This phobia is actively exploited by horror films: the heroes were left far outside the city with no connection at all, and that’s when it all started!
“First of all, you need to get rid of the fear of helplessness, which arises at the unconscious level,” explains psychologist Ksenia Avers. Try to think rationally. If you are not traveling on a deserted island, you can ask for help at any time.
And on a trip it is worth taking a power bank, a paper map, a pocket dictionary, a watch with GPS. They will become “soothing” for the subconscious and help you avoid obsessive thoughts that you will lose your phone.”
2. Acrophobia (fear of heights)
Of course, anyone will be frightened if they find themselves on the edge of a roof without a parapet. But acrophobia causes panic even when nothing threatens life and health. This happens when we visit observation decks with a wonderful view of an unfamiliar city, ride a Ferris wheel. We can also face this fear if we have to move along mountain serpentines.
“The causes of acrophobia can often be found in the past. Perhaps you once fell from a tree or got scared while riding an attraction. Therefore, in order to get rid of the obsessive fear of heights, you need to “dig out” and work out negative memories, the psychologist notes. Recall a situation that made you feel «chilling cold.» Knowing the enemy by sight, it is easier to deal with him. Then ask yourself: where is the imaginary risk, and where is the real one? Estimate the danger in percent. A sober analysis will allow you to take fears under control.
3. Agoraphobia (fear of public places, crowds)
Travelers often find themselves in a crowd of people. In megacities, it is almost impossible to avoid crowds. Therefore, such a phobia greatly interferes on vacation, when visiting the most popular locations of the place where we are.
“If the phobia is not pathological, a little introspection will help overcome it. Ask yourself: what exactly scares you? Are you afraid that you will be robbed? Are you worried about being attacked? Scared that someone will hurt you?
Consider how justified your feelings are. After all, every day, and not only when traveling, you encounter a large number of strangers, and there is nothing wrong with that, advises Ksenia Avers. — You can also use auto-training. Close your eyes and mentally begin to go through the planned journey: what you will wear, where you will go, what you will see and whom you will meet. The path traveled «in the head» is easier to repeat in reality.
4. Misophobia (fear of germs)
Mizofob does not touch the rails in transport, does not take flyers with discounts, and even more so does not rub the nose of a metal dog or the head of a stone boy for good luck. And when he returns to the hotel room, he will certainly wash his hands several times — you never know what! Traveling for those suffering from mysophobia is a real test.
“Microbes survive even in space, and counting on sterility in ordinary life is a utopia. And the sooner you realize this, the sooner the fear will leave you, says the psychologist. “It is important to accept the fact that the phobia is not caused by an external threat, but by internal experiences.”
5. Xenoglossophobia (fear of foreign languages)
The language barrier and shyness can turn into a serious phobia. Even the need to ask a foreigner for directions to the subway causes a person suffering from xenoglossophobia to shiver, shortness of breath and other panic symptoms.
“You can train your brain to overcome the fear of communicating in a foreign language,” notes the psychologist. — Remember that travel is not an exam, and no one will give grades. Most often, locals, like you, communicate with tourists in English, which is also not their native language. And even if your language skills are far from ideal, believe me — a few words are enough to understand each other.
6. Desynchronophobia (fear of jet lag)
A lot has been said about how to deal with jet lag — jet lag syndrome. But what if the need to overcome time zones makes you tremble with fear? For those who suffer from desynchronophobia, there is little choice of suitable vacation destinations.
“Prepare in advance,” advises Ksenia Avers. Get some rest before a long flight. Make it a rule for a few days before the trip to «live» the new regimen. Choose night flights during which you can sleep.
A good option is to fly with transfers, which will make it easier to adapt to changing belts. This will not only help on a physical level, but will also relieve anxiety and related panic attacks. ”
7. Macrophobia (fear of waiting)
Those suffering from macrophobia experience panic when they cannot influence the waiting time. It does not matter if you are waiting for a delayed flight at the airport or languishing in a car at the border, it can ruin any trip, make the traveler change plans.
“Unlike many other phobias, macrophobia is not related to the fear of harming oneself and one’s health. Therefore, the best way to get rid of the obsessive “rejection” of queues is a positive attitude, the psychologist believes. “Try to distract yourself and occupy your head, and preferably your hands, because our thoughts and actions are interconnected.”
8. Scoptophobia (fear of attracting attention and seeming ridiculous)
Some are terribly worried that they will look funny against the background of the locals. What if they laugh at us? What if some of our habits turn out to be inappropriate where we plan to relax?
“The most effective way to get rid of this phobia is to develop self-confidence. Of course, this cannot be done one day before the planned trip, so take the time to “pump” your internal state in advance,” recommends Ksenia Avers. — Do not forget about the merits, potential and strengths. Do not criticize yourself too much and drive yourself under the fictitious framework of some ghostly norm. All people are unique, and so are you.»
9. Hagiophobia (fear of shrines, objects of worship, religious places)
Many cultural sites important to tourists have a religious history that scares those who suffer from hagiophobia.
“Look at the “terrible” monuments or objects from a different angle. Imagine that in front of you is not a magic amulet for ancient spells, but, for example, an ordinary wooden rod. It is made of ordinary material by an ordinary person, the psychologist advises. “You yourself in your thoughts “endow” it with magical properties.”
10. Godophobia (fear of travel)
The worst thing that spoils a trip is the fear… actually, the trips themselves.
“Most often, this phobia is caused by worries about health or life: after all, you have to go beyond comfort and safety, change your familiar environment to a completely unfamiliar one,” says the psychologist. “Try to look at the journey not as a threat, but as an opportunity.
Preparation for the trip will help relieve anxiety: find out everything about the place you are going to visit, study the advice of experienced tourists on the Web, consult a travel agency. This will save your nerves and make the trip more predictable. And therefore — not so scary.
Prepared by: Svetlana Demidova