The Reason 70% Of Us Get So Stressed Out By Travel

And what you can do about it.

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Published November 01, 2024
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In my family, my inability to pack light for any trip is well-known. At the airport, my travel companions chuckle and even make small wagers on just how many pounds overweight my suitcases will be (and how many items will need to be transferred to someone else’s bag).

Even for a weekend away, I always seem to pack more than anyone else and it stresses me out. Each trip, I vow that next time I will be more efficient in my packing, and yet I continue to make the same mistakes.

I am not alone in my packing struggles. A 2021 OnePoll study showed that nearly 70 percent of Americans surveyed were stressed out by packing. They rated packing as more stressful than actual travel and that the only thing more stressful than deciding what to bring on a trip is getting through airport security.

Why Do We Overpack?

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, you leave all the comforts and security of home. Even if the trip is meant to be a fun vacation, it can still create anxiety and insecurity as you don’t know what to expect on your journey.

“In most cases, overpacking arises out of psychological issues such as anxiety, fear of the unknown,” says Michelle English, LCSW, and co-founder and executive manager at Healthy Life Recovery. “Such factors compel travelers to overpack since packing comes with feelings of safety and control. They don’t want to be put in an unexpected situation with little hope of being highly well-prepared.”

“Over-packers tend to have a ‘just in case’ attitude, which can encourage packing things

that will likely not be needed but provide some comfort nonetheless,” explains Brittany Astrom, LMFT, and clinical supervisor at OC Revive. “They believe it is always better to have more than they may need. Over-packers also may be too attached to their belongings and mistakenly think that it will be easier to relax or feel at home while being surrounded by familiar things.”

The Problem with Overpacking

People overpack thinking it will make the trip easier, but it can be a physical burden and put a strain on mental health.

When you pack more things, there are more items and bags to keep track of and lug around. If you’re checking bags, you have to worry about the weight limit, whether they’ll get lost or delayed and you risk spending an unknown amount of time waiting for them to arrive (when you could be enjoying your trip).

More stuff also means more to unpack when you get to your destination and more to remember to bring home. Packing light has many mental health advantages because it makes traveling simpler.

“When travelers minimize their bag loads, they can track and carry their baggage with ease,” says English. “This reduces the likelihood of worries about misplacing items. Bringing less also helps in reducing decision fatigue when one is away for a trip, but also helps travelers enjoy the journey more because more of their concentration is on the journey and not on unnecessary details.”

“If you want to get away from it all, don’t take it all with you,” says Anne McAlpin, travel expert and author of Pack It Up: The Essential Guide to Smart Travel. “Less stuff equals less stress.”

How to Pack Efficiently

“Deliberate packing helps travelers to concentrate more on their adventures and trip rather than the weight of the unwanted stuff on them,” says Astrom.

A few simple tips for packing efficiently:

· Make a Packing List a Week Before Your Trip

Creating a packing list and starting early gives you time to remember the items you might have initially forgotten.

· Focus on Necessities

There are many things you don’t need on a trip, but there are a few must-haves. A passport or ID, phone (especially if you have mobile tickets), phone charger, prescription medication, money and credit cards. Be sure all these items are in your carry-on or personal bag, not in checked luggage. Pretty much anything else you need can be replaced or purchased at your destination.

· Mix and Match Wardrobe

Even if you’re going for a week, experts say you only need enough clothes for three days. Pack one neutral color scheme and make sure that all the pieces work together. Dress in layers and wear your bulkiest clothes on the plane. Remember, it’s fine to wear your gym sneakers sightseeing or use your carry-on as a beach bag — the fashion police won’t give you a ticket! If you need to, you can do laundry, but not at the hotel, which is usually expensive. Find a local laundromat.

· Some Helpful (But Not Necessary) Travel Items

Beyond necessities, there are a few other helpful basics to consider when packing if you have space — an eye mask, headphones, a shawl or blanket, an extra battery pack, a refillable water bottle, a small first-aid kit, a travel adaptor and a book or tablet to pass the time during travels.

· Check the Weather App at Your Destination

Knowing the weather in advance can be helpful (although the weather can change and it’s slightly trickier if your trip has multiple stops). You can always buy a souvenir sweatshirt if it winds up being cooler or borrow an umbrella from the front desk if it rains.

· Use Packing Cubes

“Searching for things at your destination can be exhausting,” says McAlpin. “Packing cubes make organization a breeze.” On a recent one-month trip to Italy, I separated things into cube categories (a swim cube, a cube of PJs, a socks and underwear cube, etc.). It was easy to keep them in my suitcase or in the dresser and items didn’t get lost under the bed or left behind in a drawer.

Finally, try not to think of packing as a stressful chore. “Make it fun,” adds McAlpin. “Think of it like a game or puzzle. If packing makes you stressed, ask a friend to help you decide what to take and what you don’t need.”

Do you tend to pack way too much when you travel? Or are you good at only traveling with a carry-on bag? Let us know in the comments below.

Randi Mazzella is a freelance writer and journalist. Her work has appeared in numerous online and print publications The Washington Post, Next Avenue, Your Teen for Parents, SheKnows and New Jersey Family. She writes about a wide range of topics including parenting, mental health, wellness, pop-culture, teens, finance and midlife issues. She is a wife and mother of three children who inspire her every day. To read more of her work, go to randimazzella.com.