Travel is a sought-after activity because of its life-transforming attributes. Still, going overseas and managing all the logistics involved makes it more stressful than many people expect. Your daily routine is abandoned for the entirety of your travel, you have to cope with language barriers, and unexpected situations can arise that may ruin your picture of an ideal vacation.
Travel stress is a real concern that has detrimental effects on your health. It comes with classic symptoms such as irritability, dizziness, inability to focus, muscle tension, and fatigue. Suffering from this can disrupt your trip or end it prematurely.
While there are factors in overseas travel that make it inevitable to face stressful situations, you have to pinpoint the things you do that only exacerbate the matter. Reversing the following bad travel habits can significantly reduce your stress and help you enjoy your trip better.
Being Awake During the Flight
You’ll want to arrive at your destination fresh and wide awake. The only way to do that is to get as much sleep on the plane as you can, especially if it’s a long-haul flight. Unfortunately, some people don’t get to sleep much on the plane because they already did before boarding the flight. ;
Instead of being too well-rested before going to the airport, aim to get just enough sleep to be alert for checking in and boarding. This is so your body will eventually get tired. Equip yourself with neck pillows, warm socks, a big hoodie, and a pair of earplugs to make it easier to go to sleep after take-off.
International flights that last for nearly 24 hours will find you awake for short periods of time. Keep yourself hydrated and avoid alcoholic beverages and oily foods, as you wouldn’t want to upset your stomach during the flight.
If possible, keep yourself entertained with activities other than watching a movie. The hours of screen time you’re tempted to pull off will make it difficult to go back to sleep. Pack a book instead or listen to a podcast. Try your hand at an adult coloring book or strike a conversation with your seatmate. Getting as much rest as you can on the plane will help you feel better and more productive once you officially start your vacation.
Booking a Distant Hotel
Regardless of your itinerary, you’ll always find it challenging to find enough time to relax. There are tours to take, people to meet, and flights to catch. Travelling a lot — plus traffic and other small decisions, like where to dine — eat into your time to wind down and get ready for your next activity.
You can cut back on your travel time between these itineraries by booking a room in airport hotels or hotels near most of your destinations. Don’t book a distant hotel because you’ll end up travelling the entire day.
With airport hotels, such as Singapore Changi Airport hotel, if you weren’t able to have a good rest during your flight, you can skip the trouble of booking a cab and wading through the traffic. You’ll be getting a luxurious and comfortable hotel experience right after you disembark.
Apart from reducing travel time on foot and via cars, you could also cut costs. Some airport hotels give discounts on their hotel parking and other services, depending on the terms and conditions you meet. It’s also likely that most of the amenities you need are either within the hotel or nearby, which simplifies searching for options. When it’s time to leave, you can get out of bed, checkout, and board your plane without the risk of missing your flight.
Taking Only Prescription Meds with You
It’s reasonable that prescription medicines will be your first concern when packing your emergency kit. The mistake many travellers make is packing only these medicines and skipping out on other necessary ones for common ailments. There’s no telling when an exotic food will upset your stomach, the weather change will trigger a headache, or certain elements will give you allergies.
And while pharmacies are likely to have local versions of the medicines you need, it’s stressful to look for one and struggle with the language barrier before getting what you need. This is why it’s best to bring along a good amount of recommended medicines when travelling overseas. Having one with you at all times will ensure that any sickness can be dealt with immediately and it will not ruin your trip.
Not Calling the Bank
Of all the things that can really push a traveller’s patience to its limits, nothing quite compares to money issues. Banks continually improve their practices to ensure their clients’ safety, and if that means freezing your account when they’re alerted of unusual activity, then they’ll do it.
The sad news is that many travellers aren’t aware of this fact and would gladly go to another continent without contacting their bank. Giving your bank or your credit card company a notice of your travel plans and itinerary can spare you from being suspected of fraudulent activity.
The same applies to domestic trips. Whenever you go to locations that you don’t frequent, inform your bank and credit card company just the same. You wouldn’t want to rouse their suspicion just when you need your money the most during the trip.
Plan for What Matters
Before you detail what you’ll do in every tourist destination you’ll visit, mind the practical decisions first. Ensure that you book the right hotel, pack the right medicines, and call the bank. Practice other safety measures as well that apply to you and your destination. By making your safety and convenience a priority, you can have a less stressful overseas vacation.