The Skinny:
Remember when airline travel was glamorous—almost luxurious? Not many do. It’s been a long time since hopping on a commercial airline flight was anything but a hassle thanks to the crush of travelers, long lines, tightened security measures, flight delays, missed connections, lost luggage, smaller seats and fewer travel amenities. Today, in fact, airline travel is one of life’s bigger stressors whether it involves a business trip or simply getting away on vacation. It can set off both mental and physical stress because of the size of today’s airports, which means hauling luggage significant distances while battling crowds to get to a departure gate. The bad news as almost all travelers know is that a lot of these hassles can’t be avoided. Think flight delays, crowds and long lines. There are, however, ways to more effectively deal with the stress, reduce related anxiety and arrive at a destination in reasonable shape. WellWell, not surprisingly, has collected some of the best advice. Read on.
The Slate:
Status Check
Stress reduction begins before leaving home. Start by checking the status of any flight well before leaving to make sure a significant delay isn’t at hand, which reduces the chances of having to hang out for extra painful hours at an airport for a flight to depart.
Proper Paperwork
Obviously, it is wise before departing from home to double-check that identification, licenses, passports and flight information are handy. Also, make sure that hotel and car rental verifications are readily available. All of this will help speed processing, check-ins, etc. Stress levels can be reduced even further by registering for TSA-Precheck and Global Entry, which combined make it easier to move through all domestic security lines and re-enter the country after traveling abroad.
Care In The Air
Most airlines dealing with longer flights now offer free inflight entertainment—movies, TV shows, music. But it is wise to have personal distractions also available in carry-on baggage. This might include books, notes, laptops and cell phones. Bringing your own snacks and food on a flight should also be considered. And if nothing else, think hard about bringing extra water on board as airline travel can be dehydrating, which can lead to headaches and other anxiety-causing discomfort.
Compress To Destress
Compression socks are a sound idea for flights of any length. They improve circulation and reduce swelling in the legs, which is a danger on long flights. The gentle compression helps avoid deep vein thrombosis, which occurs when blood clots form in the veins. Ultimately, they make flights more comfortable and relaxing.
Cover Up Debate
Not everyone agrees on whether airline travelers should opt for noise-canceling headphones. Proponents argue they are a great way to reduce distractions that are commonplace on crowded flights, making it easier to snooze or simply relax. Some, however, warn that headphones make flights more stressful. They argue being headphone-free makes it easier to respond more quickly to any changes or announcements. Beyond this, going without them lets passengers communicate freely with flight attendants or other passengers in their rows. The ear jacks the airlines provide for inflight entertainment may be a better compromise. Eye masks are another matter. They are not as cumbersome or isolating as headphones while allowing travelers to sleep more easily on long flights.
Don’t Chill Out
Yes, relaxation is the goal but one way to achieve this is by not chilling out. Airplanes are known to be notoriously chilly environments, which makes it wise to wear a jacket, sweater or long pants while flying. Freezing up on a flight is not relaxing.
Just Wing It
If turbulence is a stressor, try to sit near a wing. These seats offer more flight stability, making for a smoother, anxiety-free ride if the air gets bumpy. It will also help lessen the chance of air sickness for those who are susceptible.
Eyes Up:
What’s your ticket for stressless air travel? Let us know at info@wellwellusa.com.
