If you get nervous about everything from unexpected traffic en route to the airport to cash falling out of your pocket, you’re not alone. Feeling some nerves before a big trip is super common, which is why we’ve come up with a few coping mechanisms. These tips should help alleviate much of the stress, and anxiety felt when traveling. Develop a plan before leaving with your partner or friends, build in extra time for emergencies, practice relaxation techniques, make copies of important documents, and do your research before leaving. If you’re a paranoid traveler, you’ll find them helpful. So without further ado, check out these tips to ease your travel worries!

Practice Relaxation

It’s important to relax, whether you’re about to leave for your cheap flights or if you’re already in the middle of your trip, especially if you’re traveling alone. Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing during your travel days will help take the edge off. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy your vacay without the anxiety that comes with it. It’s important to remember that although we hope everything runs smoothly like it usually does, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for emergencies.

Ready Your Map Privately

Are you worried about getting targeted by a pickpocket because you stand out? Tourists are easy prey in some places, and even if you won’t blend in, there are steps you can take to look like you aren’t totally mystified. If you need to consult a map, the middle of the sidewalk probably isn’t your best bet. Duck into a bathroom stall, and plot your course in there. You’ll have a certain degree of privacy that isn’t available on the street.

Only Carry What You Need

How many credit cards are really necessary when you leave the hotel? Is that full wad of cash doing you any favors? Don’t take it all with you. Instead, just grab what you’ll need for the day – and nothing more. If something happens, your losses will be limited.

Take Advantage of the Safe in Your Hotel Room

Do you believe that nothing is impenetrable, that no lock is truly secure? Check out belts that you can wrap around hotel safes in order to provide an extra dose of protection. When you go out on the town, carry only the cash and one credit card you need. You’ll be able to relax a bit knowing that your passport and the rest of your wallet are safely locked up.

Related: Nervous? Reduce Your Stress at the Airport With These Tips!

Stash Your Cash

If you’re still not sure about the hotel safe, keep some cash in your shoe. Or, hide some in your bag. Better yet, try a money belt. In general, though, one of the best travel tips to ease travel worries is to diversify: keep cash in different bags, on your body, and in the safe. By not putting all your eggs in one basket, theft may not be as impactful.

Travel With Friends

Traveling with friends can help alleviate some of the anxiety you may feel during your travels because you’ll have someone to keep you company, laugh with, and share experiences with. This also means that if something goes wrong or becomes a bad situation, it’s not entirely on your shoulders. Camping trips are much safer and more enjoyable if you travel with someone else and you have a buddy or two to watch your back. If you run out of packed lunches and snacks before you reach your destination, you can always share some with your friends.

Always Try Something New

Don’t become an easy target for those who take advantage of tourists such as yourself. Be smart, be aware, and change up your habits a little. A good tip to keep in mind is to never take the same route twice! Mix it up, in case you’re being followed. It works for James Bond, and it will work for you.

Build Extra Time in Your Schedule

Although rare, things can and sometimes do go wrong when you’re traveling. Something may fall behind that you need, a flight or train may get delayed or canceled, or there may be a natural disaster in your area. If your plans change, build in some extra time before and after your trip to relax and get yourself together. It’s worth your while to be prepared for emergencies or an extended stay in a hotel before you leave. If this extra time is not used, great! It can be used for more activities or enjoyment during the trip. However, if these additional moments are needed, it will help alleviate the pressure, making unexpected events less stressful and more manageable.

Make Copies and Back Up All Your Essential Documents

This is something that everyone needs to be doing more often, especially when traveling. While you won’t be able to remember everything all the time, it will save you a lot of stress if you have a copy of your passport, visa stamp, or other identification on you in case it accidentally gets lost or some other unforeseen event occurs. Another way to help take the edge off if something stressful happens while traveling is to have at least two ways of contacting family back home, such as cell phone numbers and email addresses.

Do Your Research

What does it mean to “research”? There are many ways you can use research to your advantage when you’re traveling. For example, it’s a good idea to know what’s going on in the destination you’re going to before leaving your country. Many websites have information such as weather, news reports, and maps of where you’ll be visiting. You may also want to get a local map of the area with all the major landmarks to understand what it will look like better once you’re there.

Have you ever used these tips to ease travel worries? Tell us how it went in the comments below!