1st Gift of Christmas: Tips To Make Your Holiday Travel Less Stressful

By
Healthfacts.ng
-

Happy Holidays! It’s time to start packing your boxes for that Christmas trip. This trip has to be less stressful.

For many people (note that I am not part of this crew), traveling is an integral part of the holiday season for many people. While traveling any time can be a major source of stress, holiday travel (loaded with gifts and baggage, with the kids along, through possible harsh weather, long fuel queues and on common crowded pre and post-holiday travel dates) is, even more, nerve-racking.

 

Although you can’t eliminate the stress associated with holiday travel, these tips can help you lessen the impact of holiday travel stress.

1. Do Your Research.

The holiday season is the one time of year that you can always expect fare prices to be higher than normal while ticket availability is lower. Luckily, planning ahead can save you from incurring outrageous travel costs and fees.

Doing a lot of research before engaging in any journey is sure one way to make that journey less stressful.

2. Accept the situation and plan ahead.

Crowded airplanes and highways, harsh weather conditions, road traffic, and unexpected delays are all aspects of your trip which are beyond your control. Assume you’re likely to encounter most or all of these obstacles and that you aren’t going to be able to change them. Instead, focus on your reactions to these stressors.

Also, note that there is more to holiday travel than simply booking tickets. If not staying with family, you probably need to arrange accommodations and transport.

3. Go For An Early Trip.

In general, early is the rule of thumb for stress-free travel. Getting to the airport or bus park at least two hours early makes everything about your trip less stressful. Early booking of tickets also eliminates the worry of not getting the dates, seating and other preferences that you want. Leaving a few days early can create a cushion of space in case you need to make flight changes due to weather or other last-minute issues.

Although most people don’t love getting up before dawn and making their way through an airport, early flights can be a much better alternative during the holidays. Statistically, early flights tend to leave on time. They may even be less packed, because many would rather sleep in than travel early.

4. Stay Hydrated And Pack The Right Snacks.

When you are rushing to stay on schedule and catch any connections, you may not have time to stop for food. However, it is important to make sure that you take care of your body, which means staying hydrated and fed. Pack water and light-weight but filling snacks that won’t get crushed in your bag. Examples of snacks that keep well during travel are:

  • Trail mix
  • Granola bars
  • Dried fruit
  • Almonds and other nuts

Travel can be exhausting even during the off-season. Granola, nuts, and trail mix are also great because they can help restore your energy.

5. Don’t Overpack.

less stressful

Although you don’t want to forget to pack something critical like your phone, medicine or passport, don’t overpack. During the holidays flights, buses and other travel options are often packed. Therefore, the less luggage you have, the easier it is to get around. Weigh your luggage beforehand to make sure that it doesn’t exceed the weight limit. Try to pack a light carry-on. Take only the essential things you’ll be needing with you.

If you have presents or food items, try to send them in several weeks beforehand if it is possible. If you do, you won’t have to worry about waiting for them at baggage pickup or getting lost or damaged in transit.

6. Create A Calming Music Playlist.

Even with preparation and planning, holiday travel can still be stressful at times. Developing easy ways that help you manage and alleviate stress are crucial. Research has found that music can impact a person’s emotions. Certain genres like classical and other relaxing sounds can alleviate stress. Compile a playlist of soothing music and pack some headphones. Listening to it while you travel can help you pull through difficult situations and environments.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

42 COMMENTS

  1. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article
    like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
    In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as
    you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.

  3. The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me just as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, nonetheless I genuinely believed you’d have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  4. I used to be recommended this website through my cousin. I am
    not positive whether or not this post is written by way of him as nobody else recognize
    such targeted about my problem. You’re wonderful!
    Thank you!

  5. Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe that this web site
    needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the information!

  8. Hello there, just became aware of your blog
    through Google, and found that it is truly informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you
    continue this in future. A lot of people will be
    benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  12. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just
    what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write
    content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write
    related to here. Again, awesome web log!

  18. I simply could not go away your web site before suggesting that
    I actually enjoyed the standard info an individual provide to your guests?

    Is gonna be again incessantly to investigate cross-check new posts

  20. I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i am
    glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The site style is ideal,
    the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  21. Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Cheers

  23. I do consider all the concepts you’ve offered in your post.

    They’re very convincing and will certainly work.
    Still, the posts are very short for starters. May you please extend them a little from subsequent time?
    Thanks for the post.

  24. whoah this weblog is great i love reading your posts.
    Stay up the great work! You already know, lots of
    people are searching around for this info, you could aid them greatly.

  25. I’m really inspired along with your writing skills as well as with the structure in your weblog.
    Is that this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself?

    Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s uncommon to look a nice blog like this one nowadays..

  26. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is valuable and everything.

    But imagine if you added some great pictures
    or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent
    but with images and video clips, this website could certainly be one of the very best in its
    niche. Good blog!

  30. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in web explorer,
    could test this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a big
    section of people will pass over your wonderful writing
    because of this problem.

  31. I am not positive where you’re getting your information, but
    good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for magnificent information I was in search of this info for my mission.

  32. Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  42. On one hand, upbringing emphasized the importance of stability and financial independence. On the other hand, a strong sense of social responsibility instilled by volunteer experiences during college pulls towards contributing to positive change in society.

LEAVE A REPLY