Some of the busiest travel days of the year are during the holidays. A lot of people travel great distances to spend time with their families, and a lot of people stress out while doing it. With excess numbers of people traveling, traffic and flights more congested, delays being longer, being tired, and worried about the home they left behind, it’s no wonder why people get stressed out. But, there are a few things you can do to help ease the stress during the trip.
Whether you’re travelling by yourself or with someone else, it is possible to have a relaxing holiday trip – even if your family stresses you out. There are a few things you can do to help ease the holiday travel stress.
Written by Henry Moore
Leave ahead of time
It seems like common-sense, but many people wait until the last minute to get going on their trips. If you’re driving and have a long way to go, try leaving a day or two ahead of time, so you’re not rushed and you can take your time arriving at your destination. This also helps you avoid more dangerous travel times. If you’re flying, plan on arriving at the airport an hour or two before the airport recommends arriving. If they say 2 hours, plan to be there three hours ahead. It may seem like overkill, but if you give yourself more than enough time, you’ll be far less stressed for your trip. Keep in mind there are a lot of extra people travelling, so lines may take longer than normal. Just be sure to bring something with you to do to help pass the time.
Stay in a hotel
If you’re stressed about staying with your family, plan to stay in a hotel. If you can, splurge on a nicer one. This will give you your own space for your things, privacy from family members, and a little escape if you need one. If you’re there for a few days, it’s especially nice since they replace your towels and linens for you. A hotel also makes your trip feel more like a vacation away from it all, a little getaway. You can spend time with people you love, but still have your trip feel like you’re taking a break from your everyday life.
Lock up your home
Again, this seems like something everyone would do, but if you’re concerned about a potential break-in while you’re away, it’s important to make sure your home is safe. Make sure all of your windows and doors are locked. Go through and double-check everything, even if you think you may have done it already. Just be sure. If you have an alarm system, be sure it’s activated when you leave your home. Activate any cameras you have so your home is monitored. Make sure valuables are secure, safe, and hidden. If you have a house-sitter, make sure you trust them to be there. That means you trust them with your belongings and also that they will lock up your home properly while you’re away. If your home is secure you’ll be far less stressed about leaving in the first place.
The holidays can bring a lot of stress with them, but following some of this advice will make your travels far less stressful. Leaving far enough ahead of time will get your trip off to a good start. Staying a hotel will give you a getaway from your everyday life and time away from your family if needed. Locking up your home so it’s nice and secure will ease any anxiety you have about leaving. Soon, you’ll be on your way to a stress-free holiday vacation.
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