Tips For Long Haul Travel – Having A Stress Free Flight (Part One)

For many people, travelling can be an extremely stressful time. There’s so much to organize and so many little things to remember, that sometimes, you feel like pulling your hair out (but then you'd be bald in all those holiday photos). This week, we’re here to offer some times on how to lower your stress levels before travelling.

Before The Flight

Be prepared
Start by making some lists – a packing list, a list of chores you need to finish, a list of appliances to be switched on/off before leaving, and a list of emergency numbers you may need while on holiday. You don’t want to have an ‘Oh no! I left the kettle on!’ moment halfway through a trip. If you have pets, you may also need to make sure that someone will care for them while you’re away.

Pre-pack
Start packing your bags more than half an hour before leaving for the airport. Cutting it too close to the flight will send your stress levels through the roof, and it’s also highly likely you’ll forget something. At the very least, try to pack it the night before you leave, so you can go through the bag again just before you leave and see if you’ve left anything out. Have all your paperwork and documents organized and packed in a handy carry-on bag, then go through it all the night before you leave just to be sure you have everything.

Travel non-stop
If you can, try to book a non-stop flight instead of one with stopovers.  This saves you from worrying about possible delays, and whether you’ll be able to make your connecting flight in time. Some countries also require you to have a transit visa even if you’re simply stopping over, so a non-stop flight saves you from the hassle of dealing with visas. 

Web check-in
Many airlines now allow passengers to check themselves in online and print their boarding passes out at home. This saves you the stress of having to rush to the airport and wait for ages in a queue– you simply stroll up and present your boarding pass at the security gates at least half an hour before the flight leaves. Of course, if you’re checking in bags, you’ll still have to wait in a queue at the airport, so make sure you get there with plenty of time to spare before the flight leaves.

Lounge around
If you have some time to spare at an airline, why not pay a one-off fee to make use of an airline lounge? Many offer facilities such as shower rooms, free food and beverages, and internet access. A shower before your flight (especially a long distance flight) will refresh you and go a long way in helping you relax.

Be patient
Of course, sometimes, the unforeseen happens – there may be a technical problem, or Mother Nature decides it’s her turn to throw a tantrum. Even the most prepared person can’t do a thing about delays such as this, and you’ll just have to be patient. After all, getting angry and stomping you feet will get you nowhere faster.

Next week, we’ll come back with Part Two of our tips on having a stress free flight. Have any of you got other stress-busting tips you’d like to share?

(Photo: www.2theairport.com)

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