Beat Holiday Travel Stress: Simple Tips Like Staying Hydrated and Making Lists

Travelling can be taxing even under ideal conditions. Add to this the heightened stress that often accompanies each festive season, and it becomes evident that travellers could benefit greatly from assistance in soothing their frayed nerves.

According to travel experts, there are numerous steps you can take beforehand to ensure a more pleasant and stress-free trip.

Create a checklist and tick items off.

One week prior to your departure, make a list of all the items you must pack and the tasks you need to complete before your trip.

This may encompass crucial packing essentials along with straightforward chores such as clearing expired food from your refrigerator or tending to your houseplants," explains Jess Feldman, who works as a special projects editor at Travel and Leisure magazine. "The important part is keeping the checklist visible all through the week leading up to departure. As I tick these tasks off during the days, it makes me feel highly organised, significantly reducing my anxiety levels.

Take your comfort zone along with you

Noise-cancelling headphones can significantly help in eliminating disturbances whilst travelling; however, when using them, make sure to periodically check noticeboards or your mobile device for any updates regarding flights or boarding gates.

Spotify, YouTube Other websites provide music playlists titled such as "Relaxing Chill Out Calming Music for Airports" and "Perfect – Music Travel Relax." Alternatively, you might consider "Music for Airports," an innovative album that introduced the ambient music genre back in 1978.

It's wise to bring additional medication, an extra set of clothing, a toothbrush, and a charging cord for your phone, just in case.

Carrying your own snacks or sandwiches from home can provide a sense of comfort and serve as an excellent substitute for expensive airport provisions.

"I usually prepare for worst-case scenarios, such as flight delays and cancellations. This involves packing activities like carrying multiple books, knitting supplies, or several pre-downloaded movies," Feldman explains. For extended trips, she may also include a packed meal. Tupperware container.

Stay hydrated

To combat the dry conditions during your flight, pack an empty water bottle (which you can fill once past security) alongside a little bag containing lip balm and some travel-sized moisturisers.

Hallie Gould, who serves as the editor-in-chief at Byrdie—a digital platform focused on skincare—advises "boosting skin hydration prior to boarding your flight. This involves consuming additional liquids and using hydrating skincare items to enhance moisture levels, ensuring you address both internal and external needs."

And don’t overlook your hair.

"Just like how the low humidity on an aeroplane can leave your skin feeling dried out, it can have the same effect on your hair. Whenever feasible, apply a deep conditioning treatment prior to your journey," suggests Gould.

Get excited about the app and understand the guidelines.

“Every airline has different requirements when it comes to the boarding process, paying for perks in advance, or seat upgrades,” Feldman says. “It’s best to understand all of the above before getting to the airport so that you are not taken off guard.”

Downloading the airline’s app enables you to receive updates about gate alterations, flight postponements, or cancellations earlier, thereby allowing for quicker access to alternate routes or connecting flights when necessary.

Treat yourself to some additional time.

Security queues often turn out to be far lengthier and more sluggish than anticipated, not to mention the lengthy stroll across a vast airport. Thus, allocating additional time can help alleviate anxiety. As a standard guideline, it’s advisable to reach the airport one hour prior to departure for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international ones.

If you arrive too soon, you can always browse the airport stores and lounges or find a quiet spot to lose yourself in a good book.

I always verify if there is a lounge accessible to me at my departure gate beforehand," Feldman states. However, even without lounge privileges, she adds, "It’s important for me to be aware of what the nearby restaurants and waiting areas around the gate look like.

Attempt to pinpoint the origin of your anxiety.

"If you understand the reasons behind your stress, it can assist in finding methods to alleviate it," explains Lynn F. Bufka, who leads practices at the American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association So if you're finding yourself overwhelmed, are there tasks you could delegate? Is there somebody within your family who might assist with portions of the planning?

Acknowledge that large groups of people, adverse conditions, and cancelled aircraft are outside your sphere of influence.

And some individuals simply prefer not to venture long distances or take flights.

"If the issue is fear, such as the fear of flying, it's crucial to understand that this can be addressed, and receiving appropriate treatment can significantly enhance your quality of life," explains Bufka.

Get ready to feel at home again.

Spending a bit of additional time cleaning up your space and ensuring you have some readily prepared meals stocked in your freezer or cupboard will create a far more inviting environment upon your return.

"Always, always, always tidy up your area before heading out for a journey. After a lengthy travel day, you're bound to feel somewhat disoriented, and returning to a cluttered space would only exacerbate this feeling," according to Feldman.

Tidy up the bedding, dispose of rubbish, store your garments, wipe down surfaces. "Coming back to an orderly environment feels like the perfect welcome, particularly when you've been gone for ages," she remarks.

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AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin provided additional reporting for this story. Detroit .

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To read more AP Lifestyles articles, visit https://apnews.com/lifestyle .

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