Travelling can be taxing even under ideal conditions. Add the heightened stress often associated with each festive season, and it becomes evident that travellers could greatly benefit from assistance in soothing their frayed nerves.
According to travel experts, there are numerous steps you can take beforehand to ensure a more pleasant and stress-free vacation trip.
Create a checklist and tick items off as you go through them.
One week prior to your departure, make a list of all items you must pack and tasks you have to complete before embarking on your journey.
This may encompass crucial packing supplies along with straightforward chores such as clearing expired foods from your refrigerator or tending to your plants,” explains Jess Feldman, who works as a special projects editor at Travel and Leisure magazine. “The important part is keeping the checklist visible all through the week leading up to your departure. As the days pass, I tick these tasks off my list which makes me feel incredibly organized and significantly reduces anxiety.
Bring your comfort zone along with you
Noise-cancelling headphones can significantly help in eliminating disturbances while travelling; however, when using them, make sure to periodically check noticeboards or your mobile device for updates regarding flights or boarding gates.
Spotify,
YouTube
Other websites provide music playlists titled such as “Tranquil Chillout Soothing Airport Sounds” and “Ideal – Stress-Free Journey Music.” Alternatively, you might consider listening to “Ambient 1: Music for Airports,” an influential album released in 1978 which helped establish the ambient music genre.
It’s wise to bring additional medication, an extra set of clothing, a toothbrush, and a charging cord for your phone, just in case.
Carrying your own snacks or sandwiches from home can provide a sense of comfort and serve as an excellent option compared to expensive airport alternatives.
“I usually prepare for worst-case scenarios, including flight delays and cancellations. That’s why I always carry something to keep myself occupied—like multiple books, knitting supplies, or several pre-downloaded movies,” Feldman explains. For extended trips, she might also include a packed meal.
Tupperware
container.
Stay hydrated
To combat the dry conditions during your flight, pack an empty water bottle (you can fill it once you’re past security) alongside a compact bag containing lip balm and miniature-sized moisturizers.
Hallie Gould, who serves as the editor-in-chief at Byrdie—a digital platform focused on skincare—advises “boosting skin moisture prior to boarding your flight. This involves consuming additional liquids and using hydrating skincare items to enhance dampness from both within and outside.”
And don’t overlook your hairstyle.
“Just like how the low humidity on an aircraft can leave your skin feeling dehydrated, it can have a similar effect on your hair. Whenever feasible, apply a deep conditioning treatment prior to your journey,” Gould advises.
Stay informed and get acquainted with the guidelines by getting app-y.
“Every airline has different requirements when it comes to the boarding process, paying for perks in advance, or seat upgrades,” Feldman says. “It’s best to understand all of the above before getting to the airport so that you are not taken off guard.”
Downloading the airline’s app enables you to receive updates about gate alterations, flight postponements, or cancelations earlier, facilitating quicker access to alternate routes or connecting options when necessary.
Treat yourself to some additional time.
Security check queues often turn out to be far lengthier and more sluggish compared to what one might anticipate, not to mention the lengthy stroll across expansive airports. Thus, allotting additional time can help alleviate anxiety. As a standard guideline, it’s advisable to reach the airport an hour ahead of schedule for domestic flights and two hours prior for international ones.
If you arrive too soon, you can always browse the airport stores and lounges or find a quiet spot to lose yourself in a great book.
I always make sure to check if there’s a lounge I can use at my departure gate beforehand,” Feldman states. However, even without lounge privileges, she adds, “It’s important for me to be aware of what the nearby restaurants and waiting areas around the gate look like.
Attempt to pinpoint the origin of your anxiety.
“If identifying the source of your stress helps, it can be useful to find strategies to alleviate that stress,” explains Lynn F. Bufka, who leads the practice area at the organization.
American Psychological Association
“So if you’re finding yourself overwhelmed, are there tasks you could delegate? Could anyone within your family assist with portions of the planning?”
Acknowledge that large groups of people, adverse conditions, and flight cancellations are factors you cannot influence.
Some individuals simply prefer not to venture long distances or take flights.
“If the issue stems from something like aviophobia, it’s crucial to understand that this condition can be addressed, and effective treatment can significantly enhance your overall well-being,” explains Bufka.
Get ready to feel at home again.
Spending a bit of additional time cleaning up your place and ensuring you have some readily-prepared meals stocked in your freezer or pantry can significantly enhance the comfort of your return.
“Always, always, always tidy up your area before heading out on a journey. After a lengthy travel day, you’re bound to feel somewhat disoriented, and returning to a cluttered space would only exacerbate those feelings,” according to Feldman.
Clean the linens, dispose of garbage, store clothing, wipe down surfaces. “Coming back to an orderly and spotless environment is the finest welcome home, particularly following an extended period away,” she mentions.
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AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin provided contributions to this report.
Detroit
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