Some people love travelling and find preparing for a flight to be quite exciting. However, there are many more who find it to be rather stress-inducing. If you fall into the latter category, here are some tips which should make both the preparation process and the flight itself far less stressful.
Pack some creature comforts for the journey
If the idea of having to rush to the airport so that you can spend several hours stuck on a plane makes your stomach turn, it's sensible to prepare a few creature comforts that will make you feel more at ease throughout your travels.
Consider creating a relaxing music playlist on your phone or music player (consisting of perhaps slow-tempo classical or ambient pieces), which you can listen do whilst you're in the taxi or on the airport shuttle bus. This should help to reduce any anticipatory nervousness you may be feeling and ensure that you feel relatively relaxed by the time you arrive at the airport.
Additionally, make sure to pack a pair of noise-cancelling earplugs for the flight, to help drown out the noise of the plane's engine, chatting passengers, attendants' announcements and crying children.
Taking a nap during your flight can make all the difference to your stress levels. To make it easier to snooze, bring along a blanket, as well as something to cushion your head. Whilst a lot of people create a makeshift 'pillow' out of a rolled-up sweatshirt, if you want to make your nap truly comfortable, it may be worth packing a neck pillow, which is specifically designed to allow you to rest in your seat. Because of their horseshoe-shape, these pillows can support your head and thus help to ensure you don't emerge from the plane with an aching neck or shoulder.
Take care when arranging transportation
One of the biggest sources of stress for most people when preparing for a journey is the thought of potentially missing their flight. As such, it's important to ensure that you do everything you can to arrive at the airport in good time.
If you intend to travel there by an airport shuttle service, consider taking a bus that will arrive slightly earlier than you actually need it to. This will ensure that, should any delays crop up, in the form of traffic jams or even a bus breakdown, you should still get to the airport in plenty of time.
If a friend or relative will be dropping you off at the airport, make sure to check the traffic reports before you set off, so that you can, if needed, take a detour and avoid any road blockages. Additionally, if the person who will be driving you is not exactly renowned for their punctuality, ask them to pick you up 30 minutes earlier than you need them to, to ensure that even if they're late, you'll still make your flight.
