Over the past seven years, I’ve traveled through over 50 countries despite suffering from chronic anxiety. I hated behavioral therapy so much that I decided to make the world my “treatment zone” — and it worked, with amazing and life-changing results.
When I wrote a book about everything I’ve learned about managing travel anxiety, it became enormously popular — proving that thousands of people want to make the transition “from armchair to plane seat,” but haven’t known where to look. Are you one of them?
Would you like to overcome your fears like I did, by gathering more passport stamps than doctor phone numbers? If so, then give my book a try — and pack it in your carry-on luggage on your first journey. Oh, and keep your eyes open — who knows, we might cross paths out there!
CONTACT INFO
You can contact me at ritaanyanara@gmail.com, or on Facebook (Rita Anya Nara). I am available for book signing events, guest blogs, lectures, and one-on-one travel anxiety consultations. If I don’t get back to you soon, it’s because I’m either on a plane, or jet-lagged. Don’t let anxiety get the best of you; just wait for my reply.
Love the new photo 🙂
yeah you got the whole world, “in your hands,”
Welcome aborad little world traveler!! Actually thank you for stopping by my little blog and for now wanting to follow along on my life’s journey. I too loooovvvveee to travel and I look forward to exploring your site at further length!! Again thank you and blessings—Julie
We are certainly blessed to have relatively safe lands and skies to journey across, even with all the troubles in the world. Travel blessings can never be taken for granted! Best of wishes on your journey — we all inspire each other!
RIta Anya Nara
Thanks for following my blog. Yours is amazing. In general, I don’t think too much about the ‘what ifs’, and it helps me to reduce any major anxiety. I think travel, as with most things, requires a lot of common sense more than anything else.
I agree on the common sense part! I’ve noticed that it’s often hard to apply common sense in a completely different environment… there are just so many stimuli that one forgets how to prioritize or observe. Then when a mistake inevitably happens, people get scared and hypervigilant.
Wonderful blog idea!
Thank you for following. All the best on your travels.
I’m so glad to find you today! I’m about to take a trip with my 15 year old son. I used to love to travel, but I’m out of the habit, and anxiety keeps creeping in and out as I think about it. Seeing this blog helps me feel less alone in that. Thanks! — Ann
That’s great, Ann! I’m so glad you find the information useful.
Have a spectacular time — everything out there is just waiting for you and your son to discover 🙂 !
Thank you!
Thanks for following my blog “Eyes to Heart.” … Travel anxiety is a challenge, that’s for sure. I’ve found a few things that work for me, not the least of which has been getting my hormones regulated. At any rate, I’ll enjoy reading what you have to say on the subject. There’s always room for more learning. Be well, Dorothy 🙂
Melatonin seems to be so hit or miss for people. Travelers generally have to find what works best for them, that’s for sure! But, it’s worth the trouble once you adjust, and can start having the time of your life 🙂
I also use travel to manage anxiety. When I’m feeling anxious, just planning or researching a trip makes me feel better. Sometimes, I actually wind up on a plane headed to somewhere really amazing.
Hi there, Thanks for checking out my blog 🙂 as a fellow anxious traveler, I can totally appreciate yours!
Thank you for following TheWolfWillTravel! Its brought me to your blog, and I must say, I commend your bravery, and the way you’re overcoming your anxiety, one trip at a time!
Looking forward to more great posts from you!
Chantal
I enjoyed your blog idea. I’ve traveled the world too so more will be coming on my blog.
Thank you for following my blog The Reluctant Retiree. I hope you enjoy my upcoming stories. I must say I had never thought much about travel anxiety until reading your blog. I have a philosophy in life that I try to save my worrying until I know exactly what it is I have to worry about. I can appreciate that does not work for everyone. It has been a learned attitude. I wish you and your readers good luck with their travels. GG
Thank you for following my blog – I hope you will enjoy it! Your blog seems very interesting too!
The world is indeed a treatment zone. Thanks for following my blog. You may also enjoy 50figment. Cheers!
Brilliant stuff! And I couldn’t agree more about your travel therapy..!Thank you for checking out my photographer’s blog also – all the best, Michael
What an inspiring blog! Thanks for taking the time to visit mine. I hope one day to visit as many places as you have!
Greetings, thanks for sharing
Obviously there is a blog for everyone and everything! I never imagined coming across a blog about travel anxiety…..and just at the right time for me. I have multiple medical issues which have resulted in health anxiety which in turn cause travel anxiety. I shall return to read more!
P.S. Perhaps you will take a moment to check out my bog….some art, poetry, this ‘ n’ that at: http://www.wantonwordflirt.com
Hi wantonwordflirt,
I’m glad you find the content useful! It’s no easy task to travel with several health issues. What with peak summer travel season winding down, it might be a great time to plan and take a trip — less getting jostled around, and fewer distracted flight attendants, receptionists and other people who can instead focus on helping make a trip easier. I wish you luck! 🙂
Thank you for liking my blog. All the best on your journey. If you would like more information on the topic of computer use and mental health please write me directly through the email via my website http://www.foodsthathealdaily.com. I promise to respond quickly. I had anxiety issues in the past and will like to help in any way I can,
Thanks for visiting, adetutuijose! I think lots of us bloggers are worried about what our eyesight is going to be like when we’re in our 70s and have made 20,000 posts to our blogs! But, all the more reason to put away the laptop and go someplace beautiful or exotic!
Thanks for stopping by my blog — yours looks really cool! I love to travel, but I was putting off thinking about international travel until world events had calmed down. Your blog has inspired me to rethink that. Take care!
Hi writingsprint,
Yes, world events are a little topsy-turvy right now, but just think — the price of an airline ticket is still pretty affordable, there’s nothing like SARS or another health concern right these days, and terror threats remain just that — threats. And, the economy is picking up! We never know what the coming years bring — might as well enjoy discovering the world right now 🙂
I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! Check out my post to see how it works. 🙂 http://wp.me/p3DlRf-2B
Thank you, Trip Into Travel! What amazes me is how the blogosphere remains so overwhelmingly positive (at least in my experience) as opposed to the snarking, trolling, etc. that goes on on web-boards, You Tube, and other venues. We can express what we like and most want to share without constant fear of getting shot down. I hope this aspect of blogging never changes!
Hi and thanks for stopping by my blog.
I too have travelled a bit and loved every second of it!
Happy travels. Hugs Paula xxx
Delighted to be following your blog, thank you also for the blog following. Clarabelle 🙂
Thank you for stopping by my blog seekingmeaningfulness. I have not done any long distance traveling in quite awhile. The last time I took a trip by myself was the first time I had been traveling by myself in a long time and yes I had a lot of anxiety about traveling alone. Thanks for your blog it is an inspiration!
Hi Rita,
Thank you for your visit to my site. I feel complimented that you liked what you saw. We have much in common. You are doing it, and I have been there. I celebrate your openness and willingness to share your life journey as well as your world wanderings. Your blogs are terrific.
My book, CLIMBING MOUNTAINS WHEN YOU’R OVER THE HILL, is now available on Amazon, Kindle, and Smashword. I am pretty excited about that.
Happy trails, and love, Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
I bought your book for my uncle, and he loves it so far 🙂
Good luck, and I hope you are working on another book!!
You titled your blog site well when you called it The Brave Traveler, which you must certainly be. I have done things I wanted to do precisely because I had some sneaky fears raising their ugly faces, and one of these was traveling with fibromyalgia and its friends, such as chronic fatigue, and it did require a degree of bravery. Accused of counter-phobic behavior by friends in the “mental health” community (now called “behavioral health”), it worked anyway. It got me where I wanted to go, and gave me the strength to do other things I wanted to do in spite of everything, and eliminated anxiety about travel altogether. So here you are, being a travel-cheerleader for others. Good for you. It is a special freedom that you are giving to others.
Thank you for following my blog. Love having you.
Durga Ma
Email typo correction.
Hi Rita and thank you so much for following our blog – gigskylife, http://bit.ly/16Op0xh. Its great to connect with you and your blog. A healthy dose of excitement and anxiety is ok for your travels, but to help you reduce your anxiety while traveling please checkout our Travel SIM & Data Marketplace App for iOS and Android. It will help you stay connected 24/7 as you travel abroad. Thanks Rita. Travel On!
Thanks for checking out my latest entry–it has introduced me to your work! I look forward to journeying on together. Best to you, Chele
I empathize with you dear Brave Traveler.. I don’t have anxiety about travel per se, but a heaping dose of it when turbulence hits. Thanks very much for dropping by my blog.. and liking it too. Travel Rocks & Rules.. notwithstanding anxiety, pain, long lines, surly co-passengers, etc 😉
I am nominating your blog for a Liebster Award, a user-made “pass-it-on” award to help new blogs get started. You can read my response to my own nomination and learn more about the award at http://thenumber8.org/2013/09/01/liebster-award-nominations/. Congrats and keep blogging!
Thanks so, so much for the follow on my wee blog and hope you continue to like what you see. It really is appreciated and I hope that you might comment at some point – great to have feedback. MM 🍀
What a great story! Travel is the answer to many problems! We think it’s a path to a more peaceful world, too! And thanks for the Follow!
Hello Rita, Thank you for following my blog, Being Beyoutofull. Personally, I struggle with anxiety on a daily basis but I am learning/growing to see that I don’t want to have it in my life anymore. So, I try to make a conscious effort every day to pray about my anxiety, keep my mind busy or just not be anxious…some days are better than others but I am trying. Have a lovely day. God Bless : )
Thanks for subscribing to my blog. Can’t wait to read more of your interesting posts. 🙂
Absolutely amazing idea to cross your anxiety travelling! Anxiety was also my struggle over years, so I found different ways to be more than my anxiety. But I like your idea!!!When you have fear…go into!!! You did it and are succeded!!! All the best!
Thank you for stopping by!
Have a wonderful day 🙂
Hey, god luck out there Rita…
Thank you for the like on my post ‘under Australian skies’. So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Rita– I wanted to let you know that I was given a kindness and in turn, I which to share the same kindness with you. I was given the Reader’s Appreciation Award. I’m including a link back to Prasad over on hisinception.wordpress.com as he is the blogger who passed this kindness on to me. I am not one to jump the hoops per se so I don’t list those trivial things about myself nor do I pass on the award to a myriad of other blogs—prefering to choose a blog that I have found most interesting, practical and fun—you help pave a smooth road to an often intimidating bumpy world for so many others, You make travel inviting and fun! I state on the about me page that I love to travel as I think it helps to make a big world a little smaller and allows us all to realize that we have more in common with one than differences….
Please find the information on the below link if you choose to accept the award nomination.
http://hisinception.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/reader-appreciation-award/
Thank you so much for the nomination 🙂 Forgive my late reply, I’ve been under the weather a little. Your blog is amazing for its variety of topics and practicality. I wish I could post high-quality material as frequently as you do! Keep up the great job 🙂
Rita, just know that I really enjoy reading about travel through your eyes—if I can’t “go” as much as I’d like, at least I can feel connected by reading what you share….thank you again as well as for your kind words—Julie
I couldn’t agree more. My wife cured my fear of flying by getting me a trial flying lesson. Well done, you.
That is a great antidote! I met someone on a flight to Tokyo once who cured his fear of flying by going skydiving. A little extreme for most of us probably 🙂
Hi there Rita. I am also addicted to travelling and love following your adventures through your blog. Thanks for taking us along on your journey.
And thank you for taking us around the world vicariously with you! 🙂
Awesome intro very inspiring! Your blog is very educative with just the ri
You do habe a great attitude! 🙂 I hope I can make it 40+ countries one day as well!
You’ve got a great attitude Rita. Many people suffer from anxiety, some chronically, others from time to time.
The best way I have found is to confront it head on, and with the support of others, usually it can be worked through…no shrink or medication required!
What a fantastic story – we hope more people follow your example. We especially hope that young people will be inspired by this. And thanks for the follow!
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Nice one 🙂
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Hi Rita,
Thank you for all you share. I have a few ideas I would want to share with you. How can I contact you?
Olga
Hi Olga,
Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to contact me at ritaanyanara@gmail.com.
Regards,
Rita