Have you ever raced to the airport in a frenzy hoping you don’t miss your flight? I am not a therapist or psychologist but have traveled enough to know what stresses me out. The process of getting to my destination is what often gets my heart rate up. Other stressors are typically the result of not being prepared due to last minute haphazard planning. There are ALWAYS unexpected situations that occur when getting from “point A” to “point B.” How we react to these “curve balls” is the key to not biting your nails to the bone. Plan on the unexpected. Give yourself breathing room when situations are not in your control. We are at the mercy of the airlines when weather or mechanical issues result in delays or cancellations. That is just the way it is! I always seem to get tense when faced with these realities but once I accept that I have time to kill, I find a beach in my mind. Tune out what is around and remember that you are on vacation. Even though you may be stuck in an airport, you have free time. Most of us are so scheduled in our “real” lives that we have trouble filling idle time. We want to be on the beach or experiencing the destination/experience we planned but time in the airport can be relaxing if you accept that you are going to be there for a while. Find something to keep your mind busy such as reading or surfing the web.
Here are some things to consider that will help minimize your stress level before and during your holiday:
• PLAN far in advance: That includes researching what you want to do and communicating with others that you may be travelling with. Make sure you all understand each other’s goals and expectations. Some travelers are more interested in relaxing by the pool while others want adventure and physically demanding activities. Plan and discuss this before booking anything. If you are travelling during a peak tourist season, make reservations for tours and restaurants well in advance.
• BUDGET: Research how much you will need once you are on vacation. Hotel and air are usually defined at booking time but you need to know how much tours and activities will cost as well as dining. If travelling abroad, it is important to know the monetary system and the exchange rate. Some countries, such as Costa Rica and Belize, widely accept the US dollar but change will typically be in the local currency.
• TRAVEL PRO: Reach out to a travel agent or planner. Navigating the internet to find deals can be intimidating and many times misleading. A travel professional knows what companies are reliable and honest. It rarely costs the traveler more to use an agent as the resorts and tour companies pay the agent for the booking. Many times its less expensive to use an agent due to volume discounts. Most importantly, an agent is there to watch out for you and will be there if anything goes wrong.
• PASSPORT and CREDIT CARDS: If leaving the US, be sure that all passports are valid for at least 6 months after your flight home. It may vary depending on what country you are travelling to so check with your travel planner to be safe.
• CELL PHONES and INTERNET: WIFI or cell coverage is not always available or they may result in high usage fees. Check with your phone carrier to see if there are plans that will reduce your cost and eliminate surprise charges. My phone provider charges a daily fee that covers unlimited phone and texting as well as a generous data package.
• HOME and PETS: Make sure to arrange for the pets to be fed and walked. Leave the house sitter instructions and ample food, litter and emergency numbers. The house sitter needs to know what vet you use and how much to feed the pets. House plant care and minor house/yard maintenance may also be delegated to someone you trust.
• INSURANCE: Are you covered if there is a medical emergency? There are travel insurance policies that can cover you while you are away. Do you need that “car rental insurance” that is always offered by the agent? Ask your automobile insurance agent what is suggested.
• PACKING: Make a checklist of what you want to bring a full week before you travel. By doing this you can casually gather items on the list and set them aside. It also gives you an idea if you are over packing and need to weed out a few items.
It is a good idea to arrive to the airport with plenty of time to spare. By planning ahead, you will find that your travel experiences will go much smoother and reduce your stress level.
Tony Mariotti is a travel planner and Cruise Planners franchise owner in Saratoga Springs. Bucketlist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
