7 Ways To Avoid Stress While Traveling
Are you traveling more in 2024? With these frigid temperatures in January, I am planning a trip at the end of January to Saint Augustine, Florida.I am looking forward to a change in climate and exploring the beautiful historical city which I will share after my trip.
Travel is exciting, with research suggesting that it affords many people the opportunity to unplug from the daily stressors at home and in the workplace. It allows you to try new cuisines, sip cocktails on a beach, go hiking, or experience new cultures. That said, several incidents usually beyond your control, such as an overbooked flight, missing luggage, and other anxiety-inducing circumstances, can arise during your trip, which can be frustrating. Therefore, it helps to know how to avoid stress while traveling, and the tips below can help you achieve that.
Plan ahead
It’s time to plan if you’re stressing about travel hiccups messing up your trip. It’s like having a plan B. Begin by thinking about potential curveballs, like lost luggage, bad weather, or missed flights. Once you have done that, you can establish countermeasures to ensure you are safe when such situations do happen. Some experts also advise having a “Crisis Plan” against stress and anxiety. This way, you are ready for anything that might throw a spanner in your itinerary.
Balance your itinerary
Chateau de Versailles on our Paris trip
Trying to cram everything into your trip can be overwhelming. Therefore, try and skip the urge to have a jam-packed itinerary, or feel like you have to be productive 24/7. Instead, focus on soaking up quality time with your traveling party, and don’t forget to carve out a little “me time” to keep your mental health in check. If your trip revolves around some activities like a big get-together, leave a bit of wiggle room before or after for a break. Remember that you’ll find joy in simple things, whether it’s a stroll in the great outdoors or grabbing your favorite drink at a local joint.
Use reputable services
Before finalizing your travel, it’s best to conduct thorough research to find out what fellow explorers are saying. This step will prove helpful before you take a tour, or settle on accommodation, among others. Although you may want to save money on your travel plans, you must not compromise on quality. And choosing reputable services can help ensure your travel is as smooth as possible. Bad experiences and scams are totally avoidable if you do your homework. Trust your gut, dive into those online reviews, and steer clear of sketchy in-person bookings. Go for the stress-free route and lock in your plans with reputable online companies. Plus, getting deals by pre-purchasing ahead of time is a win-win. Also, if you’re planning for other aspects of your travel, like airport pick, you can look for a premier limo and airport car service provider online for a professional experience.
Never skip rest
Whether you’re road-tripping or riding the trails, getting some shut-eye during your journey can be a challenge. But it’s essential to prioritize sleep on your travel agenda. Aim for a solid seven hours each night because it’s crucial to keep stress in check and develop healthy coping skills. So, remember to make time during your trip to close your eyes now and then to ensure you’re well-rested.
Entertain yourself
Those unexpected waits and delays during your journey can be a bit stress-inducing but think of it as your golden chance to inject some fun into the mix. Get your creative juices flowing and dive into something you love. Whether it’s picking up a fresh book, starting a binge-worthy TV series, sketching some doodles, or tuning into a podcast episode, the key is to turn those waiting moments into an engaging activity. So, find simple ways to keep yourself entertained and occupied during the gaps in your travel.
Try and stay calm when things don’t go according to plan
Things can go sideways when you least expect it. For instance, your flight could be delayed, you could have missed a connection, or your seats could be mixed up. Such experiences could be frustrating, but don’t let them dampen your overall trip. These little hiccups are not your fault, and you can’t predict them. So, stay calm, breathe it out, and resist the urge to go into overdrive. Instead, make the most of the airport experience – maybe munch on some snacks or grab a souvenir while you have time to kill. You can also use the delay downtime to tweak your plans a bit. Remember, the journey’s the adventure, not just the destination. So, roll with it.
Don’t over-pack
There are those trips where you need the whole winter wardrobe or some serious hiking gear, but the trick is to keep things simple and realistic and only haul what you need. Reconsider what you are taking along compared to your previous trips. This way, you can reduce the chances of dealing with check-in drama and losing luggage. You can also consider carry-on luggage whenever possible to ensure convenience and reduce stress.
Until Next time!
