IBS Travel journal - Stress free travel

Chocolate dessert and cafe con leche

You may be thinking what makes me qualified to dish out stress management tips for travelling.  Especially since I'v mentioned in previous blogs that I have mental health problems.

 Lol, basically my whole day revolves around reducing stress and avoiding panic attacks. Over the past few years as part of my therapy Iv had both anxiety management and relaxation classes.  (Relaxation takes a lot of hard work!!) So why not take advise from someone that deals with anxiety on a daily basis?

Iv been going on winter sun holidays to the Canary's for a few years now, I find travelling by plane for a few hours a lot less stressful then getting on a 20 min bus journey.  Iv tried out a few tricks and tips over those years and these are the ones that work best.

Plan ahead

Book a room to stay in an Airport hotel the night before your flight, if your flying in the morning.  Make the experience a part of your holiday.  Same goes for your return flight, if it's due late at night booking into a hotel at the airport means you have some where to sleep if your flight is delay.

Reasons

 - You no longer need to worry about getting to the airport on time or missing your flight due to traffic jams

- You can spend the time in bed getting extra beauty sleep

- If your planning to drive to the airport some hotels offer cheaper parking fee's for using there hotel.


Checking in

Pack your passport and travel information in an easy to get place in your hand luggage.  Accept that there are going to be queue's and take a news paper or book to read, while your wait.  Or try booking in on line.

Reasons

- Having every thing ready makes checking in quicker.  There's nothing more embarrassing than having a line of people behind you as you empty your bag looking for your passport.

- On- line check in usually opens several days before your flight


Ask for an Isle seat.  If 2 are travelling you can always book the 2 on either side of the same Isle. 

Reason

 - If you have IBS your going to need easy access to the toilet, stops you having to ask other people to move.

- It's easier to get your hand luggage out of the overhead storage, when your flight lands.

- People in Isle seats usually take less time to get off the Plane



Russian doll your hand luggage

- Just because your only allowed to take 1 piece of hand luggage doesn't mean you can't have 2 bags.  I take a and rucksack leave room to pack a smaller bag inside.

Reason

- I pack my air plane supplies in the smaller bag, and store under the seat in front of me for take off.  Meaing you don't need to access the over head storage during your flight


Flight Supplies

- Something to read, listening too or do to pass the time. 
- Bottle of water, Air travel causes dehydration.  (ever tried to drink a hot beverage during turbulence)
- Some thing to eat, pack your own food.  It's cheaper, tastier and solid food is OK to take through security.
- Tissues, essential for slips or spills.  You also never know if the toilets have run out of paper



2 purses/wallets

Keep your sterling in your own purse and use a second for your travel money.  So you can switch them over once you land at your destination.

Reason

- The types of denominations don't get mixed up

- Your less likely to get confused ( Perhaps that's just me)

- It's easier to store in your hotel or apartment safe.



Following just a few of these tips will help reduce your stress levels.  Better for your blood pressure and IBS xxx