6 Tips to Make Travel-Day Stress Magically Disappear

Even if you’re a seasoned traveler, there’s always some degree of stress that comes along with traveling to and from your assignment location. I recently came across an article by American Express that had some great tips that go a long way toward alleviating some of that stress. I included just a few of them below.

 

Pack Early. There’s nothing worse that leaving on assignment with that nagging feeling you’ve forgotten to bring along something important. By starting to pack at least 2-3 days prior to your trip, you’ll be more relaxed, and you’ll give yourself time to account for those commonly overlooked items.

Exercise. Long flights can mean fatigue and grogginess, not to mention the poor blood circulation from sitting so long. If possible, try to work out before a trip. If you’re unable to exercise or if it’s not your thing, consider skipping the moving walkways in the airport or stretching a bit to get your blood flowing.

Bring Snacks and Water on the Plane. Your options for food become exponentially more limited the moment you step on a plane. Pack some healthy snacks and buy some water at the airport so you never have to worry about being dehydrated.

 

Make Yourself Comfortable. Wear clothing that will help you relax; even if your travel necessitates business dress, it doesn’t have to be constrictive. And if napping might be an option, consider an eye mask, travel/neck pillow, portable light blanket or even a scarf to provide comfort and support.

 

Consider Noise Cancelling Headphones. Good quality headphones can drown out other passengers or white noise and help you relax or, on the flip side, help you concentrate more fully if you plan to work while in flight. You can listen to your favorite playlists or guided meditations, or simply use them as your connection to the audio of a movie.

 

Make Plane Time “Me Time”. Go ahead – download a movie or that Netflix series you’ve been dying to watch. Give yourself permission to get lost in a book or a magazine. Just assume there won’t be any in-flight entertainment, so you won’t be stuck twiddling your thumbs if there isn’t any.