Barb and I are traveling in Mexico and I jokingly posted on Facebook that “if we do not come back, it was nice knowing you’all.” The reactions were very interesting and reading them I decided I needed to write this article. Some said, “Go for it, have a great trip” and many reacted with fear, “Be careful, Be safe, Read the travel advisories, etc.” I was not thinking about problems; I was thinking we might like it so well we would just stay here.

So, first of all, let me assure you that I did study this venture a lot, I did read the travel advisories, and I talked to people who travel extensively in Mexico. Since 1918, the US government no longer has a broad-brush advisory against travel in Mexico. They have graded advisories and provide maps of the trouble areas. It is interesting that of the over 4 million US travelers to Mexico in 2018 there were only 75 homicides. That is safer than Grand Rapids. Travelers anywhere just have to be smart. When you go to Detroit, you do not go south of Eight Mile Rd, do you? Of course not. Unless you are looking to score drugs or going to a bar in the seedy part of any town, your safety in Mexico is not any different than that of Pueblo, Colorado which has the highest crime rate in the US (we were just there visiting family).

Next, let us look at the fear reactions of many people. I used to have the same reaction when considering travel to Mexico. Where does our fear come from? Usually, it is from a personal, unpleasant experience. Since most of us have not had personal experiences to create that fear of Mexico, we get it from other people and mostly the media.

As a race, we are genetically programmed for survival. Therefore, anything that threatens our survival, creates an adrenaline, fight or flight reaction in our bodies. This fear reaction is good if it is based on sound information. But sometimes, these fears are based on our old childhood programs like our parent’s teaching us to “never talk to strangers.” As adults, we must modify these programs. Otherwise, we would panic every time we meet a new person, a stranger or any time we confront a new situation.

Barb and I have traveled a lot and plan to do much more. Unfortunately, many people are limited by their fear. I have a patient in his 70s who has never been out of Montcalm or Mecosta county. He has never been to Grand Rapids. I have patients who cannot leave their homes because of fear.

Fear is a feeling in our bodies caused by chemical reactions from the release of hormones and neurotransmitters. The release of these chemicals is automatic when a trigger occurs. That trigger can be an actual event, an image, a sound, a picture, a movie, a dream, a word, or a thought. Genetically, some people are more sensitive than others so the slightest thing can trigger the fight or flight reaction. This can be modified.

Remember, fear is good if it is founded in reality. It protects us from stepping out in front of a car or jumping off a ledge. However, if it is based on old programs, outdated teachings, media hype, or other inaccurate information, then the trigger and the reaction need to be modified. Bach Flower Remedies like Mimulus and Aspen are great for known and unknown fear triggers (especially fear of flying). Homeopathic remedies like Gelsemium, Argentum Nitricum, Natrum Muraticum and many others are good for fear and anxiety. Hypnosis, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT also called tapping) are all very good methods of reprogramming those old unhealthy fear reactions.

Religious people use prayer, however, sometimes that actually can make things worse depending on how we pray. We must learn to pray the solution, not the problem. When we pray for safety from harm, our brain might just focus on ‘harm’ and trigger a reaction. I once had a man hooked up to some biofeedback equipment and when he said the word, ‘anxiety’ he would trigger an adrenaline response. Instead, we could pray for a safe return to our home. It is important to pay attention to our thoughts and intentions when we say the words. A wise man once said to me, God answers prayer based on our feelings, not our words. If the words trigger fear feelings, then learn to say different words that invoke comfort and security.

In conclusion, Barb and I have learned how to travel safely. This has meant reprogramming our old outdated fears, planning ahead, having a reliable GPS, staying out of known trouble areas, listening to our intuition, and planning for a fun filled adventure with a safe return home. Travel is not for everyone, but for us, enjoying the AmaZing features of our wonder filled world is an important part of our lives. Anyone can learn to enjoy safe travel.

Remember to Put Your Health in Your Own Hands