Navigating public transport whilst living with anxiety

Last week I was in London for work, delivering training to an organisation. This is not unusual for me, I am normally in different parts of the country for my business. What was different is that I normally drive everywhere due to intense anxiety about public transport. This visit not only meant a short train journey but also navigating the tube. I managed to do this, however it wasn't exactly as I'd set out and I found myself berating myself for not getting it exactly right. But the truth is I haven't actually been down to London since my last anxiety relapse in 2022 and hadn't used a train since before the Covid-19 pandemic. And here I was, having actually managed it, finding fault in the way I'd done it.

Navigating public transport can cause high levels of anxiety, including fear of loss of control, social anxiety, fear of embarassment or humiliation, panic attacks and lack of access to facilities. Anxiety access on public transport is a new and evolving area and awareness about how appropriate support can be provided is greatly needed. This is in partnership with professional support and should be a collaborative approach.

When living with anxiety, we can be highly self-critical which only increases the levels of anxiety we feel. So it's important when we find ourselves doing this, to stop, think about how we can be kinder and celebrate our successes, however small they may be. Each small step we take adds up to a step forward to our goal and that is worth celebrating.

Further resources:

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/about-anxiety/

NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/anxiety-fear-panic/

Anxiety UK - https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/anxiety