Travel & Adaptability: How to Handle Change In 7 Easy Steps

March 14, 2025

What You’ll Learn

Travel rarely goes exactly as planned—and that’s not a flaw, it’s an opportunity. In this post, you’ll learn how to build adaptability as a core travel skill so you can roll with change and get more from every journey. You’ll discover:

• Why adaptability is one of the most important traits for meaningful, stress-free travel
• The surprising science of neuroplasticity—and how your brain helps you grow through change
• How being more adaptable leads to greater happiness, resilience, and fulfillment
• 7 actionable strategies to develop adaptability, from mindset shifts to preparation habits
• How to handle unexpected events—like illness, cancellations, or cultural surprises—with confidence
• The importance of routines, observation, and perspective when things feel overwhelming
• Tools to reduce anxiety, bounce back quickly, and make uncertainty your ally

Whether you’re an anxious first-time traveler or a seasoned nomad, this guide helps you travel with greater ease, flexibility, and personal growth.

 

What Is Adaptability and Why Does It Matter for Travelers?

For those interested in getting the most out of their travels—on having exceptional, life-changing experiences—one of the most important skills to develop is adaptability.

Being adaptable means to quickly and easily respond to and handle changes. It helps you to adjust to new customs and cultures, to survive unforeseen adversity, and to make the most of unexpected opportunities.

When you’re adaptable, you say ‘sure’ when invited to a home-cooked meal by your diving instructor in Malta. When you’re adaptable, you respond proactively when your flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg is cancelled, recruiting a few fellow passengers and hiring a driver. When you’re adaptable, you can exist comfortably with both the aboriginals and the city-dwellers of Australia.

A statue of an Anmatjere woman in Central Australia.

Adaptability is one of the most important components of the Travelers’ Mindset—a unique way of viewing yourself and the world that has been shown again and again to improve the quality of experiences for all travelers—regardless of health, luck, or weather.

A World Of Change (& How You Are Adapted to Thrive In It)

It may seem like things in our lives are the same—especially if we feel bored in our daily lives—but the world is really always changing.

Technology develops at a rapid rate. Half the things you use on a daily basis weren’t around ten years ago (smart phones, snapchat).

Society changes quickly too. Just 50 years ago there was still segregation in some places and gay marriage wasn’t even on anyone’s radar.

In fact, the only constant in life is change. As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “No man ever steps foot in the same river twice.”

An ever-changing river in Tsunan, Japan.

If you don’t learn to adapt to these changes, you will struggle in your personal and professional lives. When you base your happiness on things staying the same—those that yearn for the past rather than embracing the future—are forever disappointed.

The good news is you don’t need to feel hopeless and helpless in the face of change. We’re designed to be incredibly adaptable. If this wasn’t the case, humans would have died out long ago.

When we travel high in the mountains from sea level our bodies learn to handle the lower oxygen levels in the blood by producing more read blood cells. When we regularly lift heavy objects, we form new muscles that allow us to move increasingly heavier things. When we spend time in the sun, our skin produces more melanin which protects us from the sun’s rays.

How Adaptability Works: The Science Behind It

Our bodies rather amazingly help us to adapt to all sorts of environments, including high-altitude, low-oxygen mountainsides.

Similarly, our brains can change as well. In fact, your mind constantly rewires itself thanks to a concept known as neuroplasticity.

When we do or think about something, our brain creates a new neural pathway. The more often we engage in an activity, the stronger this pathway becomes. In this way, over time, through repeated exposure or practice, we change the default modes of our mind.

This is how you learn to play a new instrument, speak a foreign language, or handle stage fright. Do something enough and you don’t even think about it. It becomes second nature.

Our brains are constantly forming new neural networks in response to our actions, thoughts, and environment.

 Why You Should Embrace Adaptability When Traveling

When you choose to use your neuroplasticity—to allow for new habits to form with exposure and repetition—you allow your body to do what it does best—be adaptable. In particular, there are two benefits that are particularly beneficial to travelers:

1.) You’ll be happier.

You wouldn’t know it from this picture, but earlier that day I’d been hospitalized with a severe illness. But I didn’t let that get in the way of enjoying my trip to Slovenia.

When you cling to sameness and routine you go against nature…and you pay the price for it. When you base your well being on keeping things as they are, or even worse trying to return things to the way they once were, you’ll forever be fighting an uphill battle. You’ll feel stress with the inevitable new technological innovation being released, anxiety when cultural norms shift, and disappointment when you’re no longer able to do the things you once enjoyed.

In contrast, when you embrace change you turn an everyday occurrence into a reason to celebrate. Progress and innovation will bring you a consistent stream of excitement and joy. Even when things seem tough, you’ll always have the knowledge that at any moment the climate could change for the better to help buoy you up.

2.) You’ll be more resilient.

Adaptable travelers can more easily withstand what’s thrown at them.

People who are adaptable more quickly respond to the adversity of unexpected or undesired change.

As the old Chinese proverb goes, “The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher.”

The sooner you can overcome the system shock of change, the quicker you’ll be able to find a solution and move forward.

 How to Become More Adaptable

As you can see, being adaptable is incredibly beneficial, especially when traveling. Here are 7 scientifically-proven ways that you can start to become more adaptable today.

1.) Stop seeing change as an automatic negative.

Don’t let this be your automatic response to unexpected change.

Pay attention to your instinctual reaction to changes. A lot of people instantly respond to new conditions with fear, anger, or hostility. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Changes are just facts, and facts by themselves are neutral. It’s up to us to determine whether we view a change as good, bad, or neutral. So if we have the power to fill our days with positivity or negatively, why would we voluntarily choose to do the latter?

At first you’ll have to consciously force yourself to see changes in a natural or positive light, but eventually this will become second nature (thanks to our brains’ neuroplasticity). 

2.) Embrace the energy of the new.

Once you start to see change as something to be celebrated, you’ll begin to feel a certain energy. Embrace this energy and use it to your advantage.

Traveling to a faraway place filled with new and exotic ideas can seem overwhelming at first, but if you allow yourself to absorb the excitement that flows from novel experiences, you’ll find sources of energy you never imagined you had.

3.) Stick to a few routines.

When you’re exposed to lots of change, it can be helpful to have a few things that you hold onto.

For instance, when traveling I always follow the same morning routine [read more about how my routine helps me to avoid feeling overwhelmed].

 

Starting off the morning with the same routine, regardless of where you wake up, really helps you to feel grounded.

It helps to set the tone for the rest of the day and makes me feel in control by ensuring I’m starting the day

in as close to the same mental and physical state as possible.

Alternatively, you can bring an object—like a stone, keychain, or a photo of a loved one—that you look at and touch when feeling anxious. This will help to bring you back to a state of comfort.

4.) Observe your surroundings.

To make adapting easier, look at your surroundings for clues for when things will change.

All-time great RB Marshall Faulk would watch games of upcoming opponents to see their body language before plays to determine how they acted before blitzes and whatnot. This helped him to adapt to game changes a split-second before he otherwise would.

You can do the same when traveling. Carefully observing your surroundings helps you to anticipate potential threats and potential opportunities, making it easier to adapt when necessary.

Are you being observant?

5.) Create plans of action.

It’s easy to adapt when you already have a plan of action. Before traveling, spend some time brainstorming potential obstacles and opportunities you might face. Try to imagine the worst-case scenarios.

To help jumpstart your imagination, get some input from people who’ve previously traveled to your destination. Read the one-star reviews of the places you’re going. Check the news for horror stories from other visitors.

Now that you have an idea as to what can go wrong, you can create a plan for how you would respond. What could you do in the unlikely chance that the worst case scenario happens? How can you adapt so that you’re not only surviving but actually thriving?

Before leaving home, practice visualizing your plan of action, step by step, absorbing whatever comes into your body as you do so. What do you smell? What do you feel? What thoughts race into your mind? The more you do this, the better.

Visualizing the streets of Hong Kong.

6.) See things as they really are.

Knowing that is actually happening allows you to respond appropriately. Don’t let misconceptions, fear, etc. keep you from knowing what is really going on.

It’s easier to adapt to daily calls to prayer in Muslim countries if you know what they are (a signal for people to take a break to reflect and focus on the spiritual) and are not.

7.) Look at the big picture.

Is the thing you’re getting hung up on really important? Or is it just something that you’ve gotten used to?

Often our frustration and reluctance to change comes about because of long-standing habits rather than importance. By looking at the big picture and putting things in perspective, adapting becomes much easier.

Ask yourself if you’re really seeing things accurately. Are you emotions keeping you from seeing the whole picture?

 Embrace Adaptability to Enhance Your Travel Experience

For travelers who want to get the most out of their next trip, learning to become adaptable is a must.

Adaptability will help you to overcome obstacles. Adaptability will help you to discover exciting opportunities. Adaptability will help you to learn and grow.

Simply put, adaptability will improve how you travel.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is adaptability in travel?

A: Adaptability in travel refers to the ability to adjust quickly and effectively to new situations, environments, or challenges. It involves being open to change and willing to embrace new customs, cultures, and unforeseen circumstances while traveling.

Why is adaptability important for travelers?

 Adaptability helps travelers handle unexpected situations, such as flight cancellations, cultural misunderstandings, or sudden changes in plans. It allows travelers to enjoy their journeys without getting overwhelmed by challenges and to make the most of new opportunities that arise during their trips.

How can I become more adaptable when traveling?

To become more adaptable, start by changing your mindset about change. View unexpected situations as opportunities for growth rather than challenges. You can also create routines, observe your surroundings, and prepare action plans in advance for potential obstacles. Embrace new experiences with energy and curiosity to build your adaptability over time.

Can adaptability help me enjoy my travels more?

 Absolutely! Adaptable travelers are more likely to enjoy their experiences because they are able to roll with the changes, find joy in new situations, and respond with flexibility to unexpected challenges. This mindset leads to a more fulfilling and stress-free travel experience.

How do I deal with the anxiety that comes with change when traveling?

It’s normal to feel anxious when faced with unfamiliar situations. To combat this, you can practice mindfulness, embrace your routines, and stay open to new experiences. Also, having a plan of action for potential challenges can help you feel more in control and reduce anxiety.