If you had told me three years ago that I would spend my entire college career traveling to and from Boston and New Orleans, running through airports, and packing and re-packing my life into two big suitcases, I would have laughed in your face. Turns out, this is EXACTLY what I would be doing.
If there’s anything that I’ve learned in my three years of flying, it’s that you have almost no control over what happens in your travels. I write this as I sit on a flight that was delayed and hustled off the runway to avoid ANOTHER ground delay. Seriously, you have no say over mother nature, delays, cancellations, and other airport and flying mishaps. Even though I know this, I can’t help but get stressed every time I travel; it’s just the way I am. Over the years, however, I have developed effective ways to keep my stress at a minimum by managing the factors that I DO have control over! Easing your stress before and during travel is actually easier than you think and plays a role in maintaining your health which is also impacted by travel. Check out my tips below to make sure that stress and illness are at the bottom of your packing list.
1. Make A Packing/Travel List
Easier said than done, I know. But it’s important to do this AT LEAST a week in advance to ensure you have everything you need. Check out the weather of your destination, start brainstorming what clothes and accessories you want to bring, and write it down. It helps to make clothing, toiletries, electronics, food, and misc. columns on your list for easy organization. The day of my travel or night before if it’s an early flight, I make a list of all of the things I absolutely can’t forget or that I can’t pack yet because I still need them. Things such as my boarding pass, ID, toothbrush, chargers, laptop, etc go in this list. Place it on top of your already packed suitcase and check it before you leave to make sure you have everything. Lists and planning in advance prevent the late night packing and possibility of forgetting an essential item, which will only cause more stress and money in the future.
2. Make Sure You Have Secured a Ride to the Airport
There’s nothing worse than having your ride bail, cab not show, or miss the train you need to get to the airport. In order to prevent this from happening, once again think in advance. If you’re getting a ride to the airport, make sure your friend or family member is reliable and can take you when you want to leave. If you’re using public transportation, call the cab the day before to schedule it or get the early train. It’s always better to be early than scrambling and possibly miss your flight, amounting to more stress and time wasted.
3. Pack Healthy Snacks
This one may seem obvious, but it’s essential for maintaining energy throughout your travels. Besides, who wants to spend $13 dollars on a a crappy airport salad? Not me. Try to pack food that is easy and healthy, such as apples, pre-cut veggies, cheese-sticks, or mixed, unsalted nuts. I love making my own trail mix for a variety of textures and always add nuts, some dark chocolate chips, dried fruit, and other power foods. These snacks will help you stay full and satisfied throughout your journey and help you resist the temptation to stock up on expensive airport junk food.
Before you even head to the airport, make sure you have eaten a good meal. One with lasting energy and protein to keep you full will fuel you and allow you to be on top of your traveling game. 
4. Stay Hydrated
While traveling, it’s easy to forget to drink fluids. You’re running around the airport and hydration is the last thing you’re thinking of. In order to fix that and avoid paying for water bottles at the airport, take your plastic everyday water bottle with you, if you have one. Just make sure it’s empty before you go through security. Once through, fill it with water at a water fountain and you’re good to go!
Flying messes with your body in many ways so keep hydrated in order to keep it working at tip-top shape. If you want to add a little kick to your hydration, bring a packet of ALOHA green juice to mix into your water or a packet of your own green tea or tea of choice. Both of these will boost your immune system and give you an extra supply of vitamins and minerals while traveling. Simply ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water for your own tea and they should be more than happy to oblige.
5. Speaking of Boosting Your Immune System…
Everyone hates sitting next to sick people on flights or getting sick after flying. In order to boost your immune system while your body is put through stress and general wear and tear of traveling, pack some tea or immune boosting green juice powder as mentioned above. Other options include taking a probiotic everyday starting a couple days before and doubling up the day of travel, Probiotics will help with the formulation of healthy gut bacteria. Personally, I’m a firm believer in the herb echinacea and find that it always helps me lessen an illness if taken at the first signs. Start taking the pills before you travel and continue a couple days after to ensure you’re well protected.
6. If You’re a Nervous Flyer
Yes, this is absolutely the category that I fall into. I hate getting on an airplane, I hate turbulence, and I hate thinking about being in an airplane. One thing that I find to be extremely helpful in counteracting this is music and deep breathing. First thing I do when I get on a plane is plug in my noise-cancelling headphones and crank some soothing music. This helps drown out the people and the general plane noises that freak me out. When the plane begins its ascent and your hands start sweating, don’t panic. Place your palms on your lap, keep them open, close your eyes, and take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth like you would do doing yoga or meditation. As ridiculous as you may look, it really helps to calm you down. This is how I get through every flight before I try and fall asleep. It’s scary, but I promise you’ll be able to calm yourself down with these two simple tips.
7. Walk Around the Plane
Sitting for extended periods of time is never good for your body, especially on an airplane. Blood clots can form, limbs fall asleep, you know the deal. Take five minutes to get up and go to the bathroom or walk up and down the cabin. Any little movement helps!
Traveling to new places is always an exciting experience. I hope that these simple tips can take the stress out of flying and help preserve your health along the way. Remember, control what you can and let go of what you cannot and stay positive. Bon Voyage!