Lifts. Elevators. Whatever we call them, we couldn’t do without them in the modern world. For many of us, however, they pose a problem. From a slight feeling of unease when we step into a crowded elevator to a total inability to go anywhere near one, they present a challenge for a lot of people.
The fact is that if we are to avoid elevators, we must find alternatives to move between floors in multi-storey buildings. What if there is no alternative? What if our level of fitness and mobility prevents us from taking the stairs? What if enclosed, claustrophobic stairwells also stir a sense of disquiet?
This is a challenge I have personally faced in my lifetime: a respiratory condition that makes hiking up many flights of stairs uncomfortable, an absolute terror of lifts, and a fear even of enclosed stairwells. There’s a story as to how those fears began, but that can wait for another day. For now, let us focus on the practicality of how we can address these challenges.
I can’t quote any statistics as to how many people are affected by fear of elevators – but I do know that I am not alone. I’ve noticed questions being put to forums on travel websites such as Tripadvisor by people who wish to travel to a particular location. They are researching the possibility of finding either ground floor accommodation or a hotel room on a lower storey so that taking the stairs would be feasible. In all other respects, they would be able to travel but they just need to get around the elevator issue. In some destinations that may not pose too much of a problem but in major cities where high-rise buildings are common it is far more challenging to find a solution.
With all of this in mind, I’d like to begin a series of travel reviews which highlight hotels and holiday accommodation which fill this need. Elevator-free-travel, in other words.
At this point, some readers may question whether this approach is really helpful. Surely the best way to address the issue of phobia of lifts is to treat the phobia? And I would agree. I have personally undergone some therapy in this area with – at this point – an encouraging degree of success.
Moreover, a psychologist might describe deliberately seeking out places without elevators as “avoidance behavior”. This behavior reinforces our fear and teaches our brains that the feared situation should be avoided, making the situation worse.
I would encourage an individual to explore the range of treatments which may be accessible to them. Phobias can be treatable, and becoming free of them is something, I am sure, all of us would prefer.
On the other hand, I understand that when people are taking their first steps away from the hindrance of phobias they may need some help along the way. The transition from being bound by a phobia to completely free of it does not happen in one easy step. In my own experience, being able to stay in a small guesthouse with a single flight of stairs to my room enabled me to travel alone. The alternative – at that time – would have been to stay at home. Since that first short break, I’ve gained confidence and an increased enthusiasm to travel further afield. Finding accommodation which suited my needs at that time was a stepping stone.
So, rather than advocating elevator-free-travel as a permanent solution, I view it as a stepping stone to opening up travel options. I propose a series of reviews of holiday accommodation which can fill this need. I will name it the “I’ll Take the Stairs” series!
A.P : 12 July 2024
Photo Credit: Photo 7852951 © Sorsillo | Dreamstime.com
