Tips from a Frequent Traveler

     The start of summer means that people are going to be traveling! Traveling on trains or airplanes are always fun in my opinion. I know it can take a long time, in a cramped space, but I try to remember that it is not only arriving at the destination that starts the ‘trip’, it is the journey.

 

 For short airplane rides these are the things I would make sure to take;

-          Wear ‘easy’ shoes like flip-flops, slip-ons, boots or hard soled slippers

 

-          Bring a book, magazine iPod; anything to keep you entertained.

-          I always bring a notebook and/or sketchbook because inspiration can hit anywhere.

-          Bring an additional layer, that way you can use it later. Be it as a jacket, a pillow, a blanket, or a barrier between you and the gross airport door handles.

-          Anti-Bacterial hand sanitizer!

Depending on how much you travel and how long the flights are, these tips can change.

I am a seasoned traveler, I’ve been traveling since I was a toddler and have learned a lot. If you are traveling overseas (or on a flight longer than 4 hours), you might want to take/remember a few more things.

-          Foooood. Flight Attendants serve food (depending on the flight you are on) every four or five hours but it is usually one meal and a snack. If you are like me and have food allergies and I need to eat every couple hours, I pack snacks like; dried bananas, protein bars, trail mix, etc. The food you take just needs to not have any liquid.

-          I usually purchase two water bottles once I’m through security. I try to stay hydrated while traveling, flight attendants have tons of drinks but only pour a small cup at a time. And I drink a lot of water.

-     Wear layers! It tends to get cold on airplanes and it is easier to cool down rather than get warm. I try to wear a tanktop, a long sleeve shirt, and a zip up hoodie.

This is on a trip from South Carolina to Kansas with my sister. I had a jacket with me as well. 



-          Another good tip to remember is to try to stand up and walk around every few hours. After a while of sitting, not only does your butt hurt but it is not good for circulation.

-    Get some sleep! It makes the time go faster, but it also helps your body relax. For me, I feel like if I get to sleep on an 8 hour flight it helps me get used to the time zone I am entering.

-          Try to stretch your legs, arms, back, and neck every few hours as well. It will help decrease any pain you may have.

 

This is a great article about how yoga can help you feel more comfortable on a plane. http://travel.cnn.com/sydney/visit/plane-yoga-18-exercises-healthy-flying-910157

Overall, traveling on airplanes is really fun. It’s an adventure each time and just try to remember to stay positive. I'm flying overseas today and I'm trying to get everything put together and say all my goodbyes before I leave. I’m leaving for two months so the goodbyes are sad, but I’m very excited to go! Just have to stay organized and optimistic! :)

What are you all doing for summer??