LiveWell
Bon Voyage…
to Travel Phobias!
Having phobias can be a hassle when it comes to travelling. We share with
you common travel phobias and tips to send your fears packing. By Stella Phua
Do you like
to travel?
NO
YES
Are you afraid of travelling
away from your house or constantly
worried and trying to figure out the
transport to take?
Do you like flying on a plane?
NO
YES
Do you feel nausea but
have a fear of vomiting?
Do you fear losing your
phone or phone reception?
YES
NO
Emetophobia
Aerophobia
(Fear of vomiting)
Tip: Expose
Expose
Tip:
yourself
to activities
activities
yourself to
which might
might lead
lead
which
to vomiting
vomiting such
such
to
as looking
looking at
at
as
photographs of
of
photographs
people
vomitting
or
people vomitting or
spinning around
around to
to
spinning
desensitise
desensitise yourself.
yourself.
YES
(Fear of flying)
Tip: Getting to the
airport on time and
doing some simple
breathing exercises
help to reduce
stress of flying.
Enochlophobia
(Fear of being in a crowd)
Tip: When faced with a crowd,
take a breather and use positive
self-talk to cast away any
negative thoughts.
YES
Nomophobia
(Fear of being without
a mobile device,
or beyond mobile
phone contact)
NO
Hodophobia
(Fear of travel)
YES
Tip: Plan your trip in
advance, create a
checklist of reminders,
and travel with someone
you trust.
Do you fear
the cold?
NO
Tip: Getting to the
airport on time and
doing some simple
breathing exercises
help to reduce stress
of flying.
NO
Do you use
disinfecting wipes
or sanitisers on
things you come
into contact with?
Mysophobia
(Fear of contamination
and germs)
Do you avoid
crowded places?
YES
Tip: Expose yourself to feared
situations like hand-shaking
or touching a plant. This is to
help you develop the ability
to be in the presence of
‘germs’ without feeling the
need to disinfect.
NO
Disclaimer: The following test may not be an accurate representation of your condition. Do seek medical advice whenever you are unsure.
16 HealthNews
YES
YES
LiveWell
Why so Superstitious?
One in five Singaporean travellers claimed to have encountered
spirit and ghosts while abroad, according to a recent survey by
travel agency Zuji. Here are five common travel superstitions that
you may have heard of – are you a believer?
Always knock on hotel or unfamiliar room doors before you enter
Old Wives’ Tale: Chinese believe that it is a way to warn the spirits of your presence.
Make sure your slippers or shoes are not pointing in the same direction
Old Wives’ Tale: Ghosts will use the direction of where the shoes are pointing as a way to track you down on bed. So having
them in different directions will confuse them.
Do not touch the Bible if it has been left open upon check-in
Old Wives’ Tale: There’s this belief that the Bible acts as a good luck charm. And if it’s opened up upon check-in, it means you
might have an unwanted guest sharing the room with you. Request for another room instead.
Flush the toilet before first use
Old Wives’ Tale: By flushing, it helps to move the air and energy in the room and eliminate any possible negative energy.
Don’t sleep facing the mirrors
Old Wives’ Tale: Mirrors are said to attract the negative as all your good luck will flow outside or be reflected away.
Cryophobia
(Fear of cold, including cold weather and objects)
Tip: Consider short excursions into a cool
environment. Incremental steps will help
condition you to the cold. Pack along sufficient
warm clothings and heat packs.
Zoophobia
Do you
prefer seeing
wild animals
over exploring
lakes / oceans?
NO
Do you
fear seeing
animals?
Do you have
a fear of heights
or feel dizzy when
looking down?
YES
NO
YES
YES
(Fear of animals)
Tip: Engage in progressive
desensitisation – slowly expose
yourself to animals through baby
steps. For instance, start by looking
at photographs and videos of
cute animals, to slowly being able
to get closer to them in real life.
Reminder that whenever you
feel afraid, it’s alright to
take a step back.
Acrophobia (Fear of heights)
or Illyngophobia (Vertigo)
Tip: Figure out if certain movements
provoke your vertigo. If so, repeat
the movement to train your brain to
experience less of the vertigo.
Are you adventurous?
HealthNews 17