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Travel, by its very nature, is stressful. Packing
woes, airport line ups, security checks, delayed or cancelled
flights, the concern of lost luggage, and trying to pack too much
into a trip (be it for business or pleasure) can leave a traveler
not only stressed out but just plain exhausted.
Fortunately, there
are ways you can minimize the stress. Anne Dimon, veteran travel
writer and founder/editor of
www.traveltowellness.com, offers these 10 ways to help you reduce the stress of your next
trip.
1. Setting a budget you are comfortable with and sticking to it will
help you avoid the stress of financial worry. If the wallet won’t
allow a week at a beachfront resort, try a weekend at a quiet
country inn.
2. Choose your travel companion(s) carefully. Spending time arguing
about where to eat and what sights to see, or being dragged around
to places you don’t want to be or coaxed into doing things you don’t
want to do, can take the relaxation element out of any holiday.
3. If you don’t like the details of planning and need to get away
from the stress of day-to-day decision making, go for the
all-inclusive package which includes air, hotel, food and beverages
as well as onsite activities. Once you arrive at the destination,
the only decisions you’ll have to make are when to eat and whether
to swim, lounge by the pool or have a nap.
4. If you’re going solo, theme a trip to a passion such as a hobby
or special interest and meet up with others of similar interest. Or
take a learning vacation and return with new knowledge. Go on a wine
tour, book a hiking holiday, a yoga retreat or a weekend workshop in
healthy cooking, photography or art.
5. Worried about lost luggage? Travel with a carryon. When it comes
to packing learn to relax and follow the philosophy that less is
more. Stick to one or two colors so you can mix and match and make
certain that every piece will do double duty. “Packing for a trip is
like preparing for life,” says Dimon. “You don’t want to make either
journey with too much baggage.”
6. Leave your best jewelry at home and you won’t need to worry about
losing it.
7. Arrive at the airport good and early. Not only will you find
shorter line-ups but you’ll lessen the worry of missing the fight.
Use the extra time to browse the shops, catch up on reading or,
since fewer airlines are offering complimentary on-board meals,
enjoy a leisurely and healthy meal before taking off. Arriving early
also gives you time to stretch your legs with a brisk walk through
the terminal before boarding.
8. Don’t try to fit everything the destination has to offer into a
seven-day visit. You’ll be exhausted. Pick one of two attractions
that interest you most and use the rest of the time to relax,
refresh and rejuvenate.
9. Keep in mind that flights for one reason or another are often
delayed. Prepare for the unexpected by having something to read or
do to help the waiting time pass more quickly. Stress can be further
reduced if you know that you haven’t planned anything crucial for
your first day back.
10. Savvy, seasoned travelers learn to relax and go with the flow.
Travel is about the unexpected so don’t sweat the small stuff.
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10 Ways To Ease The Stress Of Travel
