For many people, air travel can be a stressful endeavor. It often requires considerable planning, effort and patience before, during and after your flight, but there are numerous ways in which you can fight the stress before it begins. With the right kind of preparation and a positive mindset, you can turn a trip even during the busiest traveling season into a leisurely adventure. Learn how to reduce your travel stress with these simple tips.
Make a List, Check it Twice
Packing can be one of the trickiest parts of any trip. There always seems to be a challenge, whether it’s fitting items into a certain piece of luggage or simply remembering everything you’re likely to need while you’re away from home. Do yourself a favor and put together a list, striking items off one by one as you pack them. Not only will you be more confident in your final packing job, but the process of making the list itself will often help to remind you of needs you might’ve otherwise overlooked.
Do Your Homework
To avoid unpleasant surprises at check-in, measure and weigh your luggage to ensure each piece is properly sized. Make sure that carry-on bags are not too large according to your airline’s policies and that you won’t be charged extra for oversized or overweight checked luggage. Be sure also to pack the correct items in each bag, so you’ll have access to everything you need in-flight.
Start Out on the Right Foot
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of a good night’s sleep and a square meal before you begin your journey. Hunger and tiredness are great ways to add stress to any day, much less one you plan to spend in airports and airplanes surrounded by hundreds of people. Do yourself two favors: get plenty of shut-eye and eat right before you hit the road, especially since food choices become potentially perilous when you’re out and about.
Go With the Flow
You’re probably going to find yourself standing in a few lines before your trip is over, so do what you can to make the experience easier. Keep your boarding pass and identification close at hand, and when lining up for security checkpoints, try to facilitate the process as much as possible. Start emptying your pockets, removing metal accessories and getting your shoes off before you’re front-and-center and you’ll do your part to keep the line moving—while keeping yourself busy instead of just standing around.
Dress For the Occasion
One of the biggest mistakes you can make on a long flight is to dress in uncomfortable clothing. Sport clothes that are right for the weather but leave yourself the option to remove layers if the cabin gets too stuffy. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is also recommended, as you’ll probably be on your feet a fair amount between those long stretches of sitting.
Be Positive
Finally, one of the simplest and most successful ways to reduce your travel stress is to simply enter in with a positive mindset. Do little things to keep yourself entertained and upbeat, such as listening to music, reading books or doing pen-and-paper puzzles you’ll often find for sale at airport newsstands. As with any activity, traveling is less stressful when you approach it with an open mind and positive expectations.