How to Travel With Less Stress
By Genevieve Cunningham
Summer is a time of travel. We take vacations, see family, travel with friends. It’s definitely a fun time of year. But along with all of the fun of travel season, it can also be incredibly stressful. There are so many things to think about! Who will watch my house? Who will care for my pets? Can I afford it? How will I avoid weight gain? Just thinking about it makes many feel exhausted. So what do we do? Just skip all travel for the rest of our lives? Of course not! If you would like to travel with less stress so that you can actually enjoy your time off, take a look at these helpful tips.
Pack Light
Most of us tend to overpack … and we do it in a big way. If we're going to be gone for a week, we often pack two weeks' worth of clothes and shoes. Why? Usually we justify this obsession as a “just in case” safety net. But the truth is that we're simply indecisive. If you want less stress, just pack less stuff. This minimizes luggage, maximizes space, and significantly lowers stress. Practice this skill over time. It takes a while to get the hang of it, but the results are well worth it.
Plan Ahead
It's OK to be spontaneous and travel on a whim, but the more prepared you are, the easier it is on your mind. If possible, plan as much as you can. Your clothes, your meals, your budget, your stops along the way. Once you get moving, this allows you to relax and enjoy the ride, as you'll already know mostly what to expect. When you decide on a trip at the last minute, plan as much as you can and let the rest go for less stress.
Be Flexible
Even though it's good to plan ahead, it's also good to be flexible. Being too rigid with your plans is even more stressful. It doesn't leave room for spontaneity or unforeseeable problems or even the opportunity to change your mind. Flexibility is key, so relax a little and loosen the reins for a better travel experience.
Traveling is fun, and it shouldn't be a big cause of stress in your life. Use these tips to lower your stress and enjoy yourself a bit. With a little prep time and some relaxing, you can have a great travel season with less stress and more fun.
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