Dealing with public transport
Public transport is a right nightmare for me, and many other sufferers of anxiety. Sometimes there is no avoiding it, I know I would rather take the train as scary as it is than drive in rush hour around a city I barely know!
Here are my top tips on dealing with public transport:
1. Try to take a friend with you. Having someone with you can make you feel less anxious about travelling. I know I personally get more worried when I am travelling on my own. Just talking to a friend or family member distracts you and can make the journey multiple times easier.
2. Listen to music. If I don't have anyone with me, which is normal for me most days when I'm commuting to university, listening to music is the next best thing. I find music is a great distraction techniques in a lot of situations. Make a playlist of songs that you love that last as long as or longer than your usual or planned journey so you are ready for any delays.
3. Find a seat that you feel comfortable in. I prefer sitting so I am travelling backwards on trains and on buses I prefer sitting near windows, preferably at the front. Find somewhere where you feel most comfortable, that will make the journey easier right away.
4. Find something to do during the journey. Whether its reading a book, doing homework or writing emails, doing something that takes your mind off the actual journey makes it seem to go in faster, bringing less anxiety.
5. PLAN. Know what time the train/bus departs from your local station and get there in enough time to allow you to get a ticket and get calmed down. Rushing for a train or bus thinking you are going to be late is definitely going to set the journey off to a rocky start. Know what station or stop you are getting off at and know the names of the stops one or two stops before so you can prepare to get off. If you are on a bus, try to the best of your ability (I know it is extremely difficult when you're on a busy bus) to get near a stop button. This will allow you to be able to press it without any issues when you are approaching your stop, meaning you won't be as worried about missing your stop.
Here are my top tips on dealing with public transport:
1. Try to take a friend with you. Having someone with you can make you feel less anxious about travelling. I know I personally get more worried when I am travelling on my own. Just talking to a friend or family member distracts you and can make the journey multiple times easier.
2. Listen to music. If I don't have anyone with me, which is normal for me most days when I'm commuting to university, listening to music is the next best thing. I find music is a great distraction techniques in a lot of situations. Make a playlist of songs that you love that last as long as or longer than your usual or planned journey so you are ready for any delays.
3. Find a seat that you feel comfortable in. I prefer sitting so I am travelling backwards on trains and on buses I prefer sitting near windows, preferably at the front. Find somewhere where you feel most comfortable, that will make the journey easier right away.
4. Find something to do during the journey. Whether its reading a book, doing homework or writing emails, doing something that takes your mind off the actual journey makes it seem to go in faster, bringing less anxiety.
5. PLAN. Know what time the train/bus departs from your local station and get there in enough time to allow you to get a ticket and get calmed down. Rushing for a train or bus thinking you are going to be late is definitely going to set the journey off to a rocky start. Know what station or stop you are getting off at and know the names of the stops one or two stops before so you can prepare to get off. If you are on a bus, try to the best of your ability (I know it is extremely difficult when you're on a busy bus) to get near a stop button. This will allow you to be able to press it without any issues when you are approaching your stop, meaning you won't be as worried about missing your stop.