It’s pretty obvious that the quickest way to get anywhere in the world is by plane. It’s also a well documented fact that airports can induce a great amount of unnecessary anxiety, and yet we still choose to travel by air. But not all of us have the time to board the train, boat or bus to get to our destination, thus we just have to learn how to tolerate and even avoid the annoyances that are typically associated with flying and getting to the airport.
image credit: tnooz.com
Previously, we offered 10 Ways to Stay Healthy at 35,000 Feet which offers good advice on keeping up with your health in the air, but it is also important to manage your stress level during check-in, immigrations, and flight delays. Building on that, we would like to share our tips on combating getting-to-the-airport anxiety.
Don’t schedule anything important on the day of travel
Part of stress comes from the kind of mood you’re in when you get to the airport, especially if you’ve had to rush from work or a prior appointment. The best thing to do is take after James E. Porter, President of StressStop.com, and allocate an entire day each for your departure and arrival. This kind of schedule for flying will help you relax rather than build on exhaustion.
Check in online
No one likes waiting in lines, and it’s even less fun at the airport. The day before your flight, check in online and print your boarding pass. This will make everything so much easier when you get to the terminal: If you only have a carry-on, you can breeze straight past the check-in line and proceed to the gate.
Drive yourself to the airport
Public transport can be quite unpredictable and a hassle if you have too much luggage. Cabs are way too expensive. There the option to have a friend drop you off, of course, but the easiest alternative is to bring your own car, which will be readily available to you once you get back from your trip. There are various parking services at most airports although if you have some extra cash to spend, Parking4Less suggests that the Meet and Greet alternative is hassle free and suitable for those with lots of luggage.
Arrive earlier than needed
Christy at Sweet and Savoring suggests to pretend your flight departs one hour earlier than it actually does. Not only does this allot extra time for traffic, but it also gives you time to wind down with a little shopping, a book, or even a glass of wine before you board.
Comment below and share your best tips on minimizing airport stress.
This blog post was sponsored by Parking4Less.
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