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Topics: Travel, Mental Health
A psychologist has shared an important message for anyone who experiences a 'frequent trigger' for anxiety when flying abroad.
As anxious girlies will know, the airport is often the worst part about travelling. From check-in queues and security to keeping one eye on the departures board at all times, it can be hard for many of us to get into the holiday spirit.
"The hours before and during a flight stir a particular kind of anticipatory anxiety," Dr Daniel Glazer explains.
"Airports mix crowds, rigid schedules, and unfamiliar procedures, which can overwhelm the brain’s threat detection system and keep the sympathetic nervous system on high alert."
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And there's one worry in particular that keeps a lot of travellers up at night: the thought of losing their luggage. But there is a clever way to keep anxiety at bay: a smart luggage tag, which come in all shapes and sizes.
"A frequent trigger is the thought of a suitcase vanishing into the labyrinth behind the check-in belt and never reappearing at the other end," Dr Glazer tells Tyla.
"A small tracking device such as an AirTag, can counter this spiral by restoring a sense of agency.
"Watching your bag progress on the Find My map gives the prefrontal cortex real-time data, that calms the amygdala (the part of the brain that process emotions), because uncertainty is replaced by concrete information.
"Knowing that your phone will alert you if the luggage drifts off course, reinforces an internal locus of control, and reduces the cognitive load of mentally rehearsing what might go wrong."
Dr Glazer emphasises that being able to track your suitcase whilst travelling can help anxious travellers to stay calm enough to continue with important admin, whether that's checking in or changing flights.
"This extra layer of perceived safety is no panacea for flight anxiety, yet it illustrates how technology can serve as a psychological buffer," he adds.
"By tending to one concrete stressor - the location of your belongings - you lighten the overall anxiety burden and create mental space to engage with the journey itself rather than the worries swirling around it."
So, where can you get your hands on a smart luggage tag, and how much do they cost? Find out everything you need to below.
If you're an anxious traveller and want to keep an eye on your luggage at all times, you'll be pleased to know that smart tags are permitted on UK flights. Smart tags can be placed in your hand luggage or checked baggage.
The Apple AirTag sends out a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices via the Find My network. You will be able to see the location of your AirTag on a map and will usually be alerted when you have left an item behind.
According to multiple sources, the Find My network is essentially unlimited, but several factors may disrupt location tracking.
For instance, physical barriers such as walls or floors can impact its ability to accurately track your suitcase, and you will only be able to see 'last known location' during this time.
Smart luggage tags are all the rage right now and there are plenty of options to choose from, depending on your mobile device and budget.
You can currently purchase an Apple AirTag from the following retailers in the UK: Currys (£28 each), Amazon (£28 each, £92 for pack of four), and Sports Direct (£34.99 each).
If you'd prefer a budget version or have an Android device, you can shop more options below.
