Staying stress-free during your next travel trip is about more than just booking affordable flights. It's about packing for comfort, researching the destination and planning ahead. Here are 15 helpful tips to make sure your travel trip is stress-free.
There's no easy way to say this, but traveling can be a stressful experience. You've got to book the flight, then figure out how to get there and back — not to mention all the other details that come along with planning a trip overseas. So I'm going to help you avoid having to deal with any of that stress by giving you these epic tips for a stress-free vacation.
Stress-less techniques
If the goal is for stress-free travel, you can make use of various techniques both before and during your journey. Some of these require anticipating what factors might trigger your travel stress. Others are simply good practices that promote not only a stress-free trip but also generalized wellness.
With this in mind, the following fifteen tips for a stress-free travel trip should be considered. Depending on your specific triggers, you might choose to incorporate some or all of them.
But in any case, these practices have the potential to make your journey a pleasant one.
1. Have a plan:
Having a general idea of what you want to do and where you want to go is great. But don’t get too detailed — it’s easy to lose track of your itinerary when getting ready for your journey!
2. Get organized:
If you have a lot of luggage or an overstuffed suitcase, consider using a travel bag instead of rolling everything up in one big bundle so it can be easier to carry around on the plane or train. Also, try not to pack too much stuff into one suitcase (or carry-on bag). This will make unpacking everything at the destination much easier!
3. Always check the weather forecast before you go on a trip:
If the weather is going to be bad, it's better to be safe than sorry and cancel your plans. If you're stuck in an airport and the airline lost your luggage, it's also better to cancel your flight than to risk losing everything else in your suitcase.
4. Pack light:
you don't want to be weighed down by too many bags or suitcases, but don't pack too little either, because it will slow you down in airports and on long train rides.
5. Pack a healthy breakfast:
This will give you the energy to start your day and make it through the rest of your journey. You may be hungry when you wake up, but if you have a nutritious breakfast, your body will be able to burn off any extra calories before lunchtime.
6. Eat in moderation:
Don't go overboard with food while travelling - it's better to eat smaller meals throughout the day than to eat large meals one after another because this can lead to overeating later on in the day or night when you aren't expecting it!
7. Buy travel insurance for unexpected emergencies:
It's best to be prepared for anything that might happen during your journey so you can avoid having to make any last-minute decisions or refund money from your credit card. Make sure you have enough coverage for at least three days' worth of expenses in case something goes wrong with one of your trips. You can find more information about travel insurance here:
8. Check out local attractions before you go on vacation:
Before you leave home, it's a good idea to check out what is happening in the area where you are going on vacation so that you know what kind of things there are to do while there and if they are worthwhile getting tickets for or if they would be better left unvisited! This can help save money as well as time when planning out where exactly you want.
9. Memorize your passport number:
There seems to be an increase in the number of documents you have to fill out daily as a result of the pandemic. Knowing your passport number and expiration dates keeps you from having to dig it out of the overhead bin or under-seat bag to fill out that entry form. Most intrepid travelers know their passport number off the top of their heads, and it's a sign of experience.
10. Don't forget to pack your earplugs:
Bring some sort of entertainment device with you so that if boredom strikes while waiting at the airport terminal or airport gates (or even just sitting in traffic), there will be something on TV or your phone that will keep things interesting until you land at your destination!
11. Download your favorite podcasts and music ahead of time:
Don’t rely on airplane WiFi to work. Download any podcasts and your favorite playlists before you get on the plane. Plane entertainment is notorious for glitches and just outright not working at all, so be prepared with your own distractions. This is especially important if you are a nervous traveller or are travelling with children.
12. Take a taxi or Uber when you arrive:
Try not to walk to your destination with all your baggage when you first arrive in a new place. Budget-friendly Uber is the way to go. Taxis are generally more expensive than Uber if it's available. Moreover, you don't have to haggle with the taxi driver about the price (which can be stressful in some places). Use the airport WiFi when you arrive to book your ride share or arrange for a hotel shuttle to pick you up after you land. Save yourself the stress and take the easy route until you get settled.
13. Research the culture:
If you are travelling to a destination for the first time, research the culture and atmosphere of the area. Culture shock is a real thing, and it can add major stress to your vacation. If you are travelling somewhere with a high poverty level, look at some pictures before you go and allow your brain to adjust.
Research which areas of the city you should stay away from and what the money exchange rate should be ( or download an exchange app on your phone). The more you know about your destination, the fewer nasty surprises you get upon arrival.
14. Carry Travel Pillows:
Carrying a comfortable travel pillow is one of the best ways to travel stress-free. Remember, if you’re well-rested during your flights and hotel stays, you’ll feel the difference while exploring your destination during the day.
15. Employ the Power of Positivity:
Negativity and complaining only fuel stress and anxiety. Therefore, make your best effort to think positive thoughts or put a positive spin on things. This can often have a significant effect on promoting stress-free travel
Conclusion
I hope that the above list of tips will help you enjoy your next journey more than you would have otherwise. Seriously, it's hard enough to actually get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life without thinking too much about all the things that could go wrong. So give these a try and you'll likely find yourself enjoying your trip more.