Feb 18, 2025
Holidays are often seen as a time of relaxation, excitement, and adventure. Yet, for many people, the thought of going on holiday with others can mean they develop holiday anxiety symptoms — whether its with friends, family, or even colleagues— the thought of it can bring intense anxiety. If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone.
1. Loss of Control
When traveling with others, you’re often at the mercy of group decisions—where to eat, what activities to do, and even how early to wake up. If you’re someone who likes to plan your day or needs downtime, the unpredictability can feel overwhelming.
2. Social Expectations & Pressure
Holidays with others often come with unwritten rules: you should be fun, sociable, and up for anything. The pressure to always be in a good mood and “make the most” of the trip can feel exhausting, especially if you’re introverted or struggle with social anxiety.
3. Fear of Conflict
Different travel styles can lead to tension. Some people love a jam-packed itinerary, while others prefer to go with the flow. Budget differences, food preferences, or even the way people handle stress can create friction, making you worry about potential arguments.
4. Personal Insecurities
Being around others 24/7 can heighten self-consciousness, whether it’s about your appearance, how much energy you have, or even whether you’re being “fun enough.” If you’re traveling with people you don’t know well, this anxiety can be even more pronounced.
5. What If Something Goes Wrong?
Travel often involves things going wrong—delayed flights, lost luggage, or getting lost in an unfamiliar place. When traveling solo, you can deal with these problems in your own way. But in a group, you might worry about how others will react and whether you’ll be judged for how you handle stress and feel like you want to go home.
1. Set Boundaries Before You Go
It’s okay to want some alone time on a group trip. Let others know in advance that you might take an afternoon to yourself or skip a group activity if you need to recharge.
2. Communicate Openly
If you have concerns—whether it’s about budget, activities, or downtime—bring them up early. It’s better to express your needs before the trip than to feel resentment later.
3. Accept That You Can’t Control Everything
No trip will go 100% according to plan, and that’s okay. Try to focus on the things you can control, like your mindset, how you react to situations, and making sure you have coping strategies in place.
4. Plan Small Moments of Comfort
If the idea of constant socializing feels overwhelming, bring comfort items—like a book, headphones, or a journal—to retreat into when you need a mental break.
5. Reframe Your Fears
Instead of thinking, What if this goes wrong?, try shifting to What if this turns out better than I expected? Often, our anxiety focuses on worst-case scenarios, but things usually turn out fine—or even great.
6. Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy It
It’s okay to have fun, even if things aren’t perfect. Try to focus on the present moment rather than worrying about what could go wrong.
Feeling anxious about going on holiday with others is completely normal. A mix of excitement and nerves is expected when stepping out of your comfort zone. The key is to acknowledge your feelings, prepare as best you can, and remind yourself that you deserve to enjoy your time away. And if you need a break? That’s okay, too. A holiday should be a time of joy for you—not just for everyone else.
If you think you need a little help to explore your feelings about an upcoming holiday and to gain strategies to help manage it, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we can organise you the support you need, please complete the website enquiry form and we will be in touch.