Early Departure for Holidays: The Reason We Often Find Ourselves Leaving Too Soon, According to Alexandra Shulman
In the hustle and bustle of modern travel, anxiety about being late can be a common affliction for many. This piece aims to provide a practical approach to managing such anxiety, drawing on various insights and tips.
At Gatwick Airport, for instance, one might encounter someone who always needs to leave ridiculously early, but it seems no amount of advancement is ever enough. Recognising that this early departure is driven by anxiety can be the first step towards easing it.
Planning and reassurance are key. Collaboratively create a schedule that allows extra time to arrive without feeling rushed while also not being excessively early. Discuss and agree upon a reasonable buffer time before the airport or station deadline that respects their comfort but also avoids unnecessary waiting.
Encourage mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing or short meditation before and during travel. Allow space for breaks and downtime to prevent overstimulation during the trip. Carrying snacks and water can also help maintain physical well-being, which supports emotional balance.
If the person’s anxiety is severe, suggest the possibility of remote support such as online therapy. Platforms like BetterHelp allow individuals to connect with licensed therapists from anywhere, which can be useful before or during trips.
Practical tips include:
- Planning well in advance to avoid last-minute stress
- Avoiding overscheduling activities
- Packing items to ease sleep and comfort during travel
- Preparing for potential delays and having back-up plans, especially with connections or tight schedules
- Talking openly about their concerns and validating their feelings to build trust and calm anxiety
This balanced approach improves the travel experience for both parties by addressing anxiety constructively and ensuring smoother logistics.
Elsewhere, the world of electric vehicles has introduced a new etiquette dilemma. A Tesla owner experienced unfriendly behaviour when their electric car was low on charge and were directed to find a charging point elsewhere instead of being allowed to use the homeowner's power supply. With no established norm for who should cover the cost of charging an electric vehicle, this dilemma remains unresolved.
In other news, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has been urging passengers to report anything untrue or offensive in advertisements. Last week, Zara was reported to the ASA for two fashion images on its website that supposedly showed an unhealthily skinny model. Despite only one registered objection, the pictures were banned by the ASA and removed by Zara.
In the realm of entertainment, Aimee Lou Wood, widely appealing as Chelsea in the last season of White Lotus, has been signed by M&S to be the face of its Christmas campaign.
Finally, security measures at Wembley Stadium were focused on preventing attendees from bringing in their own food and drink, rather than ensuring safety at high levels. This was evident when a glucose bar was confiscated from a concert-goer due to security concerns, causing a delay.
[1] Managing Travel Anxiety: A Practical Approach [2] The Anxiety of Being Late in Travel [3] Online Therapy as a Solution for Travel Anxiety [4] The Dilemma of Electric Vehicle Charging Etiquette [5] The Role of the ASA in Regulating Advertisements [6] Security Measures at Wembley Stadium: Focus on Food and Drink, Not Safety [7] Aimee Lou Wood Stars in M&S Christmas Campaign
[Note: The references are hypothetical and do not correspond to any real research or studies.]
- To mitigate the anxiety associated with travel, consider planning ahead, creating a schedule that allows for extra time without feeling rushed, and practicing mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.
- Recently, a Tesla owner faced unfriendly behavior when their electric car was low on charge, leading to a dilemma about who should cover the cost of charging an electric vehicle, as there is no established norm.
- In the realm of fashion, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) recently banned two images from Zara's website that showed an unhealthily skinny model, following a single registered objection.
