While this time of year is filled with family gatherings, you may find yourself alone while traveling to get-togethers. It’s vital to practice situational awareness at all times, but especially during the holidays. Air travel always comes with risks, but the increase in travelers during this time increases the likelihood of threats.

People will do anything to take advantage of you. That includes using charm to get their way. Think of the word ‘charm’ as a verb, not a trait. For example: “this person is trying to charm me.” You don’t owe anyone anything, even if they appear friendly. Don’t be afraid that you might offend someone. Your safety is the most important thing.

Acknowledge your body’s unconscious response to a possible threat: intuition. Indeed, there isn’t always a threat when you feel like there is. How you interpret your intuition is vital.

You use your intuition every day to guess the behavior of others without realizing it. When driving, you can tell a car is slowly inching out of its lane and gradually into yours before it happens. If you receive a call from an unknown number, you already know who it might be because of your past experiences. Because of your constant daily practice of situational awareness, you’re better at predicting violence than you might think.

Situational awareness begins with your surroundings. Take note of your environment. Are you at the airport? Are you driving alone? Are you walking to your car in a dark and deserted parking lot? You may think: “of course, I’m aware of where I am. My eyes and ears are open.” This is true, but acknowledging your location is the first step toward situational awareness.

The next step is understanding the information you’ve gathered. Let’s use the example of flying alone for the holidays. While waiting at your gate, take a moment to look at the other people seated around you. Notice others’ mannerisms. Do you see relaxed and even bored-looking people with their heads angled toward their cell phones? This is likely normal behavior, but if anyone gives you pause, don’t ignore that feeling. Lean into your discomfort and reflect on why you feel that way. Consider your options. Remember, you are in control of yourself. You haven’t boarded your flight yet; you can leave the airport anytime.