There’s no denying it – traveling causes stress. Here’s a quick list of tips that can help you put the brakes on stressful travel situations and prevent travel stress on your next trip.
- Be prepared. Root Yourself in Stress Management practices. When you travel there are stresses you face today, such as the viruses like the coronavirus, unpredictable weather, unreliable transportation, overcrowded airports, and train stations. You are in a state of stress and exhaustion already and you can feel out of control as you travel.
We know when a person feels out of control their stress levels increase. Memorize stress reduction tools so you not only help yourself feel in control, but you can teach others on your journey. You can download stress reduction apps such as Mindful Living Network or Calm. Download a chair yoga app to do yoga stretches as you travel. - Take Your Comfort with You. Traveling is stressful so take tools to nurture your self. Your favorite blanket, pillow and soundproof earphones. Download movies, books, podcasts or material you enjoy on your tech device. Download guided imagery or meditations from the app store. Large airports have great spa facilities like manicures, pedicures, massages and shoe shine places available. Some even have nap facilities.
- Food. Most airlines do not serve meals but may give out high fat high calorie snacks. Think of your meal planning. Most airports have a food guide in the airport so you can eat nutritionally and nourishing healthy food. Eating the right foods goes a long way in preventing travel stress (food like: omega 3’s, B6’s, B’s, spicy foods, endorphins). Eating high fat, greasy foods can make you anxious and feel stressed out.
Don’t forget to drink water as you travel to stay hydrated. Hydration helps reduce stress and boosts your immune system. - Exercise. When you are stuck at an airport, exercise. Walk up and down the concourses and get walking. This produces endorphins, calming hormones in the brain. You can download apps to guide you to do yoga stretches, tai chi or chi gong. These are incredible tools for traveling.
- Checking in. One great idea to help you in preventing travel stress is to always check in online ahead of time. It is easier to travel during the busy hectic holidays without heavy luggage. Check your luggage and it gives you more freedom and you don’t have to worry about the overhead bins space.
- Kids. Have each child make a list of what they want to take with them. What do they want for comfort, entertainment, to eat and to sleep? Make sure the adult checks their list before you leave the house. Keep these items in a backpack they can keep on their backs and be responsible for so you won’t have to carry them.
It is also good to take an extra change of clothing for small children in case of an accident. Planning, especially when kids are involved, is a wonderful idea to help you in your end goal of preventing travel stress. - Time. Giving yourself at least 30 minutes longer than usual to travel to your destination, such as the airport aids in preventing travel stress. It may take longer finding a cab, Uber or Lyft, checking in, lines in the bathrooms, lines at the food areas and lines at the parking lots.
- Medical Care. Be sure to investigate the medical care facilities where you are traveling to cut down on high-level travel stress. Don’t assume that other places have the same medical care facilities you are accustomed to. This is especially true if anyone in the family have any medical conditions. Take prescription bottles with you because it is important to have your name and pharmacy on the bottle.
- Surrender. Embracing the attitude of surrender as you travel will help you in preventing travel stress. Reacting to every obstacle will make you crazy, raise your blood pressure, your heart rate, hurt your immune system, and make you miserable.