Traveling during the holiday season can be a stressful experience, especially when you add crowds, delays, and the pressure to get everything done. But according to travel professionals, there are several effective strategies to ease your travel jitters and make your journey more pleasant.
Plan Ahead: Create a Pre-Travel Checklist
Jess Feldman, Special Projects Editor at Travel + Leisure, recommends preparing a list of tasks and items to pack a week before your trip. This could include essentials like packing clothing, cleaning out the fridge, or watering plants. “I leave the list out all week, and as I check things off, it helps me feel prepared and reduces stress,” she says.
Pack Early and Prepare for Delays
Packing early can prevent the frantic rush on the day of travel. Experts suggest keeping important items in your carry-on, including snacks, extra medication, a phone charger, and a toothbrush. Feldman also advises preparing for worst-case scenarios such as flight delays by bringing activities like books, knitting, or downloaded movies.
Stay Comfortable During Your Flight
Travel often comes with dry air, which can leave your skin and hair feeling dehydrated. Hallie Gould, Editor-in-Chief of Byrdie, suggests hydrating before your flight and applying moisturising products to protect your skin. “A deep conditioner can also help protect your hair from the dry cabin air,” she adds. Bringing an empty water bottle to fill after security and using lip balm or travel-size moisturisers can help keep you feeling fresh.
Be Prepared for Security and Boarding
Feldman emphasizes understanding airline policies ahead of time. Whether it’s seat upgrades or paying for perks in advance, knowing what to expect can help reduce stress. Downloading the airline’s app can keep you updated on gate changes, delays, or cancellations, ensuring you stay informed.
Arrive Early to Avoid Rush
To minimize stress at the airport, aim to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures. Extra time allows you to navigate long security lines and walk through expansive terminals at a relaxed pace. If you arrive too early, consider exploring the shops or settling into a lounge.
Manage Your Stress by Outsourcing Tasks
Lynn F. Bufka, head of practice at the American Psychological Association, suggests identifying specific stress triggers and considering how to alleviate them. If family members can help with some aspects of your travel planning, it can lighten your load. Bufka also advises acknowledging that some factors—like bad weather or delayed flights—are beyond your control.
Arrive Home to a Tidy Space
Returning home to a cluttered environment after a long trip can exacerbate travel fatigue. Feldman recommends tidying up before leaving—wash the sheets, take out the trash, and clean countertops. “A neat and tidy space makes returning home after a trip much more enjoyable,” she says.
With these tips, travelers can reduce stress and make the most of their holiday journeys. By planning ahead, staying comfortable, and keeping calm, the holiday travel season can feel a lot more manageable.
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