Writer: Helena Bergström
The world feels more anxious than it has for a long time, and every morning you turn on the news with your heart in your throat - what have they come up with now, all the crazy leaders of the world ...? At the same time, we feel that anxiety must not take over our daily lives.
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A world in turmoil ... but does this mean that 'everything' is suddenly dangerous?
What is happening in Ukraine and Gaza? Will the Russians come? How much power will China have in the future? And what if there is a gang violence explosion in our neighbourhood...?
Yes, there is a lot to worry about, but the question is whether to let that worry seep down and 'poison' everyday life? Should we really allow this general anxiety about the world order to take over so that "everything" suddenly feels scary?
It is impossible to know what will happen in the future, but most people are good after all. At least that's our experience, from travelling to all corners of the world.
Risk perception and perspectives
Because we like travelling, and because we don't only travel to the most 'usual' destinations, we are used to discussing risks and perspectives. We have found that what scares us is often not related to what is most dangerous.
To begin with, we have learnt that the "unknown" can be perceived as frightening, i.e. a country that you have not heard much about can feel scary even if it is objectively a very safe destination.
Similarly, certain types of risk, such as shark attacks and plane crashes, may receive disproportionate attention from the brain's anxiety centre because they are so unpleasant to think about, even if the risk is very small.
Looking at various international studies, the most common risks of dying on holiday seem to be road accidents and cardiovascular disease. Plane crashes and shark attacks don't even come close to the top of the risk list. We should realise that our perception of risk is not proportional, but that other factors determine what we worry about...
But, hasn't Sweden become very dangerous?
Unfortunately, we often read about increased crime in Sweden, not least in the form of gang crime and youth violence. A sad, sad and worrying development! Not fun. Of course, our society should take this very seriously and change needs to happen!
It is perfectly reasonable to be concerned about developments, but in everyday life, most of us face extremely low risks of violent crime. Worrying about societal developments is one thing - but worrying about walking out the front door is another.
When the thoughts start buzzing in our heads, it's like the shark attacks and plane crashes - it's so scary that we completely lose perspective.
According to various global rankings comparing peace, security, murder statistics and the like, Sweden is certainly worse off than our Nordic neighbours (which is sad!), but still ranks in the safest third or fourth of the world's countries. After all, we do not live in a very dangerous country.
But travelling abroad is still dangerous, right?
But surely the world is a dangerous place? Well, unfortunately there are places in the world that are severely affected by war, conflict and other misery. However, the places we visit as tourists are usually relatively safe - especially if you do your homework, so you don't expose yourself to any unnecessary risks.
And if you want to reduce the risk of something serious happening on holiday? Well, if statistics are anything to go by - then perhaps you should focus on driving safely and trying to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (i.e. eating healthy food, being physically active, avoiding tobacco and drinking alcohol in moderation).
We must not let anxiety take over!
Of course, it is important to follow social developments, and it is natural to feel some anxiety... but we must not let it take over! The world is still largely a safe and beautiful place.
We have travelled to around 60 countries on five continents. Travelling is always a bit dangerous (because living is a bit dangerous!) but our experience is that most people in the world are good-hearted and friendly.
We simply must not let worry become a poison that destroys our everyday lives - it's not worth it! But please tell us ... what do you think?
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Netti Starby says:
It's really scary with everything that happens all the time and especially the future. Hugs <3
05 March 2025 - 6:22
Helena says:
Yes, there are some things to worry about, but as I said, it is important to balance that and not worry too much. Wishing you all the best!
05 March 2025 - 19:12
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Well... if you were to calculate on hearsay etc, you would have to live in a cave of sorts. I calculate risk low, thinking that many of the things can happen here at home too. I usually travel to countries with a high risk factor which I of course check up on. The fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travelling to one part of a country does not necessarily mean that the rest of the country is dangerous.
The idea of a despot wanting to control the whole world is frightening, but I'm not really affected.
05 March 2025 - 6:48
Helena says:
Yes, a bit like that ... It's important to find a little balance, between having a little control but not worrying too much.
05 March 2025 - 19:14
Yossu says:
I am not worried, not even for my family, who, after all, should be worse off given that Finland is a neighbour of Russia.
As long as Putin doesn't start invading the neighbouring countries, I don't see any concern for myself. What are the odds that he will skip them and go after Sweden?
Abroad, my biggest concern is theft, as it is usually the most common crime. That's why I often carry an extra mobile phone without a SIM card, which I use outdoors and take photos with, while my regular one stays in the safe in the hotel room. And I only take enough cash to cover the day's activities, leaving the rest in the safe.
If a place still feels unsafe, I refrain from travelling there myself, as a solo traveller you are after all extra vulnerable. Instead, I look for an excursion with a guide, which gives extra security.
05 March 2025 - 7:19
Helena says:
Worrying unnecessarily only causes misery ... We also try to protect ourselves against theft in various ways. It's not that we go around worrying, but it can still be good to reduce the risks.
05 March 2025 - 19:15
Monnah says:
For me, the biggest worry is that I will get a blood clot when travelling by air (in relation to travel) as I am at an increased risk due to physical circumstances. Support socks help me get over the barrier and you can die from a falling branch or tripping accidentally. Life is full of risks, I can't live as anxious as my mum. Despite this, I would never travel to a destination that I would judge to be more unsafe than going to any known big city.
05 March 2025 - 8:52
Helena says:
I'm glad you've found a way to reduce the risks and feel less anxious at the same time! And yes, it's a bit like that, bad luck can happen anytime and anywhere, but it's just hard if you have to worry all the time ...
05 March 2025 - 19:17
Hanneles book paradise says:
not worrying in advance, taking it as it comes.
05 March 2025 - 10:15
Helena says:
How wise!!! 🙂
05 March 2025 - 19:17
bmlars travelling companion says:
Life is dangerous! You can go and die! But worrying too much in advance means that you'll have to worry again and again... Still, there's no need to be reckless and take unnecessary risks. Traffic is probably the biggest risk both at home and abroad. Then the fact that there are leaders in our major powers that you actually wonder what they might be up to is a completely different matter and something we can't do much about, other than boycotting what we can...
05 March 2025 - 14:05
Helena says:
Yes, but that's exactly how it is! As long as you are alive, there is always a risk of dying! I completely agree, you shouldn't worry unnecessarily, but of course you don't have to take a lot of unnecessary risks!
05 March 2025 - 19:19
The Adventure of the Future says:
There is no point in worrying, you might as well lie down and wait for death. We should live fully..we have madmen in our world more than ever at the same time but to give up living, travelling etc for their sake is to let them have the power. They should not have it...
05 March 2025 - 15:58
Helena says:
Yes, but that's exactly how it is! Totally agree with you, we shouldn't give up our lives for the lives of these lunatics! And even if there are some crazy leaders, most "ordinary" people are still friendly and nice!
05 March 2025 - 19:21
BP says:
Most accidents happen at home anyway - they say;-) No, I don't worry unnecessarily either. It leads to nothing, and I can not influence the world situation. However, I would not tempt fate and go to Ukraine and the Middle East on holiday right now. I am so glad we visited wonderful Israel in 2013. Things were calm then.
I wouldn't favour the US or Russia with my tourism money right now either. It's not like they have earned my "contributions".
05 March 2025 - 18:47
Helena says:
Of course, there are countries that you might choose not to go to right now, unless you have a very important reason to travel there. We have visited both Israel and Russia and they were fantastic trips, but right now I would not go there.
05 March 2025 - 19:22
Sara in Barcelona says:
Great post Helena! Agree with you in everything actually, you really have to look past worries and anxiety thoughts for everything that can happen, and not let it rule your life. If you put it this way, living is dangerous, and the world has always been dangerous really, I grew up with cars without child seats, and cycling without a helmet to name but one... 😀 ..There are always risks, but if you want to avoid all potential dangers, you have to live under a rock I think.
Then the concern about where the world is going is of course justified, but as an individual we can unfortunately not influence the global agenda significantly, and then I prefer to continue to believe and a little that the good is what always takes us forward 🙂
Hugs!
05 March 2025 - 19:29
Lena - good for the soul says:
Yes, damn what madness is circulating now. It feels like you're living in a bad film from the Middle Ages! Is this even happening in our time, in our part of the world?
Thankfully, I am not the worried type. I worry extremely rarely. It's somehow like I have a filter in my brain for such things. My anxiety comes when it's really acute. So terribly unnecessary to waste energy worrying about things that might happen.
Hug Lena
05 March 2025 - 21:16
Dessan says:
You hear all the worrying news on TV but I can't take it all in. It feels like you put your head in the sand to close your eyes to everything to cope and continue living. As you say, you must not let the worry take over completely. We live on the hope that everything will be fine because hope is the last thing that leaves us. Have a good time
06 March 2025 - 7:30