While we often travel to escape the stresses of daily life, the very act of traveling can sometimes become a stressful experience. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are five ways you can make travel less stressful.
Be early
Whether you’re working on booking your reservations or need to catch a cab to the airport, always try to be early. This gives you some breathing room in case of any unexpected hiccups, like hotel rooms being sold out or traffic on the way to the airport. Pack your bags at least a day before you travel and always leave early for flights or tours. While travel hiccups might still be stressful, you’ll at least be armed with extra time to sort things out.
Get enough rest
Between staying up late to pack and the jet lag from your flight, you could wind up with a pretty major sleep deficit by the time your vacation starts. Without enough sleep, you’ll be irritable, tired and prone to losing your temper, all of which can make your travels more stressful rather than relaxing. Try to prepare for your trip in advance so you can get plenty of sleep before leaving for your trip, and use natural sleep aids like melatonin or chamomile tea to help you get plenty of sleep on your flight or when you arrive. Also, don’t underestimate the power of a good nap.
Stay healthy
If you treat your body right while you travel, you’ll be better equipped to handle stress as it arises. Ditch the fast food and eat wholesome foods with plenty of fresh produce, and don’t forget to make time to exercise. Become more stress-resistant by taking advantage of your hotel’s gym, dropping in on a local fitness class (yoga is a great option for stress relief) or simply going for a brisk walk in your new surroundings.
Arm yourself with travel tools
Bring travel-friendly tools like an area map and a handy phrase book. This will keep you prepared for two high-stress travel situations: getting lost and not being able to communicate with locals. During your down time, familiarize yourself with the map and a couple of useful phrases so you’ll be prepared in a worst-case scenario.
Leave work at work
Vacations are meant to be simply that: vacations. Whenever possible, don’t let work get in the way of your travels. Set boundaries before you leave so you don’t spend your entire vacation chained to your phone checking work emails. If you absolutely have to work while traveling, try to balance work and pleasure so you can still get a chance to relax.
(Main image: jetheriot)
