People travel for plenty of different reasons. Meeting with business partners, visiting family or just for some soul-searching are all valid. That said, the most popular reason by far is to go on vacation. Studies showed that stress relief accounted for 75% of travellers cited stress relief and natural scenery as their reasons for travelling.
As with any vacation, the last thing people want is to stress themselves out. Funny enough, planning a vacation usually frustrates people more than the work they’re trying to avoid in the first place.
Once you’re moving, there are bound to be bumps that shake whatever plans you had. Maybe local traffic meant you didn’t get to explore the destination as much as you could have. Perhaps that destination you’ve wanted to go to for so long was closed for some benign yet unfortunate reason. Some travellers might even pick up a sickness bug on the road. But these are all just hypotheticals.
For travellers, it helps to know how to manage stress and learn how to appreciate the destination once they get there.
Managing stress on the road
Travelling can be troublesome, from delayed flights to awkward conversations thanks to the language barrier. In any situation it’s important to stay calm. But that’s easier said than done. Thankfully, there are some tested tips for keeping those headaches under control as much as possible.
Be flexible
Not literally, though some stretching certainly does help with stress relief. No, flexibility in this instance means being open to sudden changes to the itinerary.
Say you’re in Paris and you want to visit the Eiffel Tower. But then a protest just so happens to be taking place right in front of the tower. The language barrier means you don’t know what the protest is even about.
Don’t see this as a ruined evening. Take it as an opportunity for a unique story. Pay close attention to what caused the moment and take pictures. Vacations don’t have to mean one thing. They can be whatever fate decides it is for that day. Opening yourself up to those moments can make unexpected memories.
Pack smart and light
A subtle yet impactful thing many travellers don’t think about is how much stuff they’re lugging around. When you have full energy, your big backpack might weigh like nothing at all. Add hours of commute and walking to the mix and suddenly that backpack feels like a bag of rocks.
Be economical in what you bring with you. Opt for basic hygiene items, a few sets of clothes and travel snacks. If you have stress relief items, such as a fidget toy or THC vape cartridges, bring them too. Carry all that stuff in one bag if possible, because you’ll need your hands free to do a lot of other things.
Keep screentime low
Emphasis on screen time. The biggest issue with screen time is it keeps your eyes glued to anything but this fantastic new place you’re in. Photos and videos are fine, but things start to get iffy when you’re liking social media posts about Japan while in Japan.
Try to look for other ways to pass the time. Music fitting for travel is a cool way to do it. Some podcasts to keep you company is also a worthwhile activity. As long as your eyes are paying attention to the sights, then there’s no problem sticking with technology.
Stay clean
Depending on how much walking and moving between vehicles there is, you’re bound to start sweating. Solo city travellers in particular will find themselves in a lot of “funky” places on the way to their location. Thankfully, they will likely have access to hotels and gyms for a quick shower. The same may not be true for those on nature hikes.
It’s a good idea to have two separate water containers. One for drinking and the other for a quick wash, just in case. Items such as alcohol and hand sanitizers are also a must. Keep a small towel for wiping those beads of sweat or unexpected dirt facials. In addition to the health benefits, there’s the mental comfort of not having to worry about how you smell for the rest of the trip.
Take your time
Once you’ve arrived, take an hour or two to adjust. A common mistake many travellers make is trying to finish everything they want to do as quickly as possible. In practice, they don’t get many things done. Instead, they leave many activities half-finished.
Don’t get too caught up in the itinerary’s rules. After all, it’s simply guidelines. If a place speaks to you, listen to yourself. Memories might be made here, but you have to give it the time. If you want to move on, then no problem either. The important thing is you didn’t rush through everything to fulfil a checklist.
Final thoughts
Travelling is fun, but it can take a toll on those unprepared. Managing stress on the road means you’re in the right mindset for the eventual destination. Stick to the tips above and you’ll find yourself enjoying a stress-free vacation.
Author Bio:
Edrian Blasquino is a college instructor turned wordsmith, with a passion for both teaching and writing. With years of experience in higher education, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, crafting engaging and informative content on a variety of topics. Now, he’s excited to explore his creative side and pursue content writing as a hobby.
Top image by Joshua Woroniecki from Pixabay
Be the first to comment