No Stress Travel Tips 

No stress travelling is the dream of everyone who has ever had to fly budget flights or spent hours and hours with bored kids on the train.

Whatever you mode of transport travel stress is often unavoidable and can in some cases ruin your trip. I know I often feel like a holiday when I get home.

Travelling has become a lot more stressful over the last few years due mainly to extra security measures having to be put into place which slows the whole process down. Even though these checks are necessary, they do make every journey whether for pleasure or business a whole lot more stressful.

But there are things that can be done to try and make a journey a little easier and less stressful for everyone, yes even the kids.

Do Your Home Work!

Before heading off for the airport always make sure that there are no major problems on the roads or at the airport. So many people simply jump in the car expecting to reach the airport on time only to find they get caught in a terrible traffic jam which makes them miss their flight.

Also check with the airport and your carrier if there are any special requirements or restriction on your luggage and what you can and cannot take with you. The internet is a wonderful resource when it comes to checking ahead and making the no stress trip possible. My number one rule is never assume anything, always double check book in times etc.

Luggage

Always travel light no matter where you are going. Be realistic as to what you are going to actually need. My tip is to pack your cases then re-pack them. You will always discover that you have packed too much and remember all that extra weight will only cost you stress and money and what’s the point of that if you don’t really need it.

Keep valuables and documents in a separate shoulder bag which you will keep with you. Bags often go missing and the stress of losing something valuable or precious can be very traumatic.

No Stress Clothing

Travelling can be rather uncomfortable. You can get too hot, too cold, aching feet from standing in queues or walking for miles with your luggage. Plan ahead and make sure:

• You are wearing comfortable shoes
  
• That your clothes are suitable for both your departure and your destinations weather.
• Keep a change of under ware in your handbag just in case your luggage goes astray.

Don’t Rush Stay Relaxed

Rushing around trying to get things organised at the last minute or arriving at the airport with only minutes to spare before your flight is shut are sure fire ways to cause you major stress.

Instead take your time with the packing, plan ahead what you will need in the weeks before hand. Pack your bags with the majority of your clothes days before you go that way all you have to do at the last minute is add those little extras.

Leave plenty of time for your journey; treat the whole experience as part of your holiday. Airports are full of activities to keep you amused before you fly so why not enjoy them and arrive at your destination stress free.

Practice some relaxation techniques whilst waiting for your flight, breathing exercises and muscle relaxation are easy to do anywhere. These will help to give you a no stress journey more possible and help get your trip off to a relaxed start.

Mood Foods

Being hungry or not properly nourished can cause your body to feel stressed and you are less likely to be able to cope with stress if it does arrive. Make sure you eat a healthy meal before you leave for the airport and take some healthy stress busting snacks with you too to nibble on while you wait for your flight. Nuts and dried fruit will keep your blood sugars up and your mood stable.

Travelling With Kids

Here are some top no stress tips when travelling with kids

• Make sure they get a good night’s sleep the night before you travel.
  
  
• Make up little goody bags for the kids which contain healthy snacks such as nuts and fruit and activities such as colouring in sheets and pencils.
  
  
• Before you travel sit down with the children and explain what is going to happen i.e. waiting, security checks and what it will be like on the plane. This way there will be no unexpected surprises which could cause the children to become stressed and upset.
  
  
• Ensure that you have enough activities in your hand luggage to keep the kids happy; this can include cloth books for smaller children and spare batteries for older children if they have game boys etc.
  
  
• Allocate jobs for the children to do during the journey. This will not only give them something to do, it will also give them a sense of ownership and control. Depending on the ages of the children there are jobs such as, time keeper, bag counter (making sure all bags are kept together), Map reader.