PRO TIPS: How to make flying stress-free and enjoyable

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

Hey Beautiful Community

I am writing this post from 40,000 ft above, en route to Baltimore, MD. Having spent a large part of my life living out of a suitcase, I am inspired to share my tips for making travel a positive and enjoyable experience.

Public transportation presents an opportunity for us to tap into humanity, connect with strangers, and observe the infinite ways of being in this world. With some simple travel prep, we can transform our experience from schlepping and sweating to a stress-free zip across the globe.

HERE ARE MY TOP TRAVEL TIPS:

DAY BEFORE

Pack in advance
Ask yourself, are you a “just in case” person or a “just in time” person?
I have found that I am a bit of both when it comes to packing—yes to the raincoat, no to the high heels and hair products. Regardless of where your comfort lies on the material necessity continuum, remember to simplify, simplify, simplify! Travel is a time to make do with less stuff, so pack clothes that can serve multiple purposes. Think layers! (i.e. skirts, leggings, sweaters)

Arrange Airport Transportation
Phone a friend to drive you or check out the public transportation sitch. If you have to drive your own car to the airport, research nearby parking services that give you the best bang for your buck! Consider your timing. If it is a long weekend or holiday, take the extra two minutes to reserve a spot, saving you time and money on your day of departure.

Set your expectations
Check your airline’s bag policy in advance so that you know how much money you will pay out of pocket for checking baggage. Yes, I know it SUCKS to pay $25/checked bag, but complaining to the airlines check-in agents will not help your case. Case in point, simplify your wardrobe and make do with a carry-on.

Check In
Check in 24 hours before take-off to receive your boarding pass (by phone or email) and expedite the boarding process. My dad is hilarious when it comes to checking in—he literally sets his calendar to remind him to check in exactly 24 hours before departure. He’s pretty intense about getting the best boarding group, but hey, he’s the last one stressing come travel day!

DAY OF DEPARTURE

Get outta bed!
If you are anything like me, leaving the warmth of my bed is a daily struggle, but recognize that snooze time today comes with a big opportunity cost. Ten extra minutes of prep on your day of departure can drastically change the mentality you bring to your travel experience and share with fellow travelers around you. Don’t be that person going off on the airlines specialists, spend some time preparing and centering yourself before you walk out the door.

Devote time to getting physical
Before you spend several hours pent up in a silver bullet, prepare your body by getting some fresh air and exercise. Take a morning walk or run. If you are stretched for time or have an early-morning flight, take five minutes to stretch your hips, gluts, back, and shoulders.

Dress for success
Think comfortable, but classy. I strike a balance between sleep wear and casual wear by throwing on a loose fitting tunic and sweater over exercise pants. I usually go light on makeup and hair styling, but play up my look with jewelry. Find what works for you. Remember layers and slip-on shoes are your friend. ☺

Eat a good meal that will stick with you
Think protein, starch, grain, and greens! Then pack the leftovers for your trip! There is no need to blow $9 on a mediocre airport sandwich or try to sustain yourself on complimentary peanuts and pretzels. Treat yourself.

Check the roads
Use a navigation app that offers traffic reports, shortest routes, and estimated time of arrival. Waze is an awesome navigational platform that crowd-sources information to deliver updated information on traffic, accidents, and speed traps, giving you the shortest route possible! Check it out!

Double-Check
Before you walk out the door, double check the necessities—ID, Credit/Debit Cards, Cash, Phone, Ear buds, Books, Tablet, Laptop, Food!

Leave Early
This is a crucial step for a stress-free travel experience. Think about it like this: the earlier you leave, the sooner your adventure begins!


AT THE AIRPORT

Remember to breathe
Do you feel your heartbeat rate rising? Do crowds and lines give you anxiety? Take some deep breaths and commit to where you are right now. Refrain from attaching judgment or narrative, just observe your surroundings. Stay in this place and you will get through check-in and security sooner than you expect. Just breathe.

Put down your phone
If you desire authentic connection with others, you must offer authentic connection first. Create opportunity for connection by putting away our phone. Challenge yourself to look people in the eyes Be intentional with your word. Speak and listen from the heart and be mindful when you are giving automatic responses. Show love to others through your eyes and watch what unfolds.

Extend Empathy
Airports breed stress. In the words of Xander (6) “be nice, be cool, be happy, be kind” to the airport agents! They put up with a lot of shit.

Be ready
To show your ID and boarding pass. Be ready to shake off your shoes, jewelry, and belts. Be ready to take your laptop out of your bag and show your 3oz. toiletries. Do it with a smile. :)

BOARDING

Relax!
I have never understood why people crowd to get on the airplane. We are all going the same place. Take a deep breath. Let others in line before you.

TAKE-OFF

Relax!
You made it! take some time to meditate, medicate, or offer gratitude. Do what you need to do before you shoot into the sky! Before flights, I pop some rescue remedy —a bach flower essence-- to aid anxiety.

IN THE AIR

Relax!
Do your thing! Read a good book or jam to your favorite music. Headphones are a great call for plane rides-- especially when the babies start crying with the atmospheric change! Relax! This is YOUR TIME, take advantage and treat yourself!

LANDING

I can't stress RELAX enough!
Don't be one of those people that hops out into the aisle as soon as the plane touches down. Disembarking is a great opportunity to exercise patience.

Thank you for reading and happy flying!

with gratitude,

Brooke

Sort:  

It's weird how I came to almost exactly the same conclusions.
However, once I am at the airport, nothing usually can get me to worry about stuff. Reason might be that I mostly travel within Europe and not much abroad. Anyways, nowadays, all you really need is your id card and ash/credit or debit card. Everything else is only useful luxury ..

good post! Following for more :)

Great tips :)

Would.love to.travel more by flight.
Up voted n followed.

just be relax ;)

lol, I love the tip about relaxing and not rushing to get on the airplane first. On the greyhound it's pivotal to get on first (cause you choose your seat) but not on the airplane, just chill ~~

cool post!! xP

My simple solution: Travel alone. Fuck others.

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