Stress Free Traveling

Is there such a thing as stress free traveling?  There are some people who seem to be immune to stress.  Are you super zen when traveling?  Like “my flight got canceled & there’s no refund & they’ve lost my luggage & my previous seatmate spilled red wine on my last clean sweatshirt (with no apology or acknowledgement) & my credit card was stolen & I only have $8 to try to buy a meal at LAX & I’m still chill” zen?  If so I don’t think you’ll get a lot out of this post.  Look, I’d like to think that I’m pretty chill but I am certainly not immune to stress when traveling.  Sometimes it rolls off my back and sometimes it ruins my afternoon.  I’m human.

Assuming you’re also human – I’ve got some travel tips for you for stress free traveling!  Check out these easy ways to reduce stress and keep your cool, even if everything else around you is going to sh*t.

NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES

This can’t be over sold and I don’t think it needs any explanation.  Also, see below.

Good headphones can change your whole trip (image: Pexels)

MEDITATION……SERIOUSLY

Download an app for meditation.  I like Calm as they have some free guided meditations but there are plenty of options out there.  Pop on your noise canceling headphones, close your eyes, turn up your guided meditation and take some deep breaths.

STAY HYDRATED

It’s easy to feel terrible if you’re dehydrated, and if you’re flying it’s even easier to dry out.  Make sure to drink enough water, both in transit and at your destination!

Packing a reusable bottle is the way to go! (image: Pixabay)

PACK A FEW SNACKS

Getting hangry will absolutely lower your stress defense barrier!  Pack snacks, always.  Even if you’ve pre-ordered a special meal for your long haul flight or don’t have far to go.  Delays, cancellations and errors happen all the time so you might find yourself on a 12 hour flight with no vegan meal (ask me how I know) or having to wait around an airport for several hours where they charge $15 for a burrito.  Don’t eat them in transit?  You’ve got snacks for your trip!  No harm, no foul.

CARRY-ON ESSENTIALS

Bring something lavender scented with you, like an essential oil roll, to help chill.  This will also come in handy if you’re trying to unwind once you reach your destination (especially if there’s a time zone change!).  Make sure to keep your toothbrush/toothpaste in your carry on so you can brush your teeth even if you’re stuck waiting 10 hours for another flight.  Pack a portable charger!  Nothing chews on my sanity like thinking I’m going to have a dead phone in an unfamiliar setting.

Don’t forget your phone charger! (image: Pixabay)

TROUBLESHOOTING

Safeguarding your passport will help to keep you from being sucked into chaos you don’t need.  Keep a color photo copy of your passport’s front pages in case yours gets lost or stolen.  I made a copy of mine and keep it in a waterproof zip bag inside my carry on (and I store it there, too, so it’s just a given).  Speaking of passports, don’t ever put yours in your seat back pocket.  Get in the habit of putting it into your purse/small personal item/pocket and make it a point to double check.  All the meditation apps in the world won’t help your stress level if you lose it.

Careful where you put your passport! (image: Pixabay)

These are fairly basic tips for stress free traveling but go extremely far when it comes to helping you hold it together.  What are your favorite ways to keep stress out of your travel plans?

Don’t forget to check out my Best Apps for Foreign Travel post to make your trip go even smoother!