How To Be More Comfortable While Travelling
25 Nov 2022
Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi
Taking a trip is an exciting experience. Even if you’re travelling for work rather than for a vacation, you’re getting to step outside of your usual environment. Nevertheless, your journey to your destination isn’t necessarily going to be a comfortable ride.
Unless you are among the minority that can afford luxury travel, your conditions are probably going to be a little cramped. There may be a great deal of noise from other people and traffic around you. Not to mention that the length of time it takes can be both stressful and mind-numbing.
It is, therefore, important to find ways to be more comfortable when you’re travelling. Let’s explore some of the key elements.
Establish Relaxation Procedures
Traveling can be a stressful experience. Even if you’re taking to the road or the skies for a vacation, the journey itself isn’t always pleasant. As such, one of the most important steps you can take to improve your comfort is to establish relaxation methods.
This may include preparing tools that can keep you relaxed during the journey. Music is a common resource here. You can create a playlist with songs you know help to minimize your stress during the trip and put you in a place of calm. If you’re travelling by car, it may help to have air fresheners with scents that promote relaxation. Peppermint and cinnamon have been found to reduce the tendency to be irritable while maintaining the concentration you need to drive.
It can also be wise to find time to meditate both before and during your journey. Wherever possible, find a quiet space where you can be alone even just for a few minutes. However, if this isn’t possible, there are methods you can utilize in an airport, on a plane, or in a parked car. Download a guided meditation app or some calming instrumental music, put your headphones on, and center yourself.
Avoid Being Sedentary
Whether you’re travelling by plane, car, or train, chances are good you’ll be sitting for significant periods of time. This is a recipe for an uncomfortable journey. The more sedentary you are, the more likely you are to experience muscular aches, cramps, and other issues. This is why it’s so important to avoid sitting in one position for too long.
If you’re travelling by plane or train, get up from your seat and take a short walk every hour or so. You may not have a lot of space to move around, but simply stretching out and getting your limbs moving can help. If you’re driving, make sure you build breaks into your journey about every 2 hours. If possible, check your route and identify a park in which you can take a short walk.
Remember that sitting for long periods can also cause vein issues, such as varicose and spider veins. While there are other contributing factors to these types of health problems, it’s important not to let your activities inhibit your circulation. People over the age of 30 are often in risk groups here. Take opportunities to move around regularly and even wear compression socks to improve your comfort and safeguard your well-being.
Consider Your Medical Needs
Symptoms of medical conditions can be disruptive to everyday life. In some cases, they can be an additional source of discomfort while travelling. You should, therefore, consider your medical needs and make sure you have appropriate resources within easy reach.
Your priority here is to pack your essential emergency medication either on your person or in hand luggage. This may include asthma recovery inhalers or nitroglycerine for heart conditions. It’s also worth making certain you have appropriate over-the-counter medications on hand. Aspirin, ibuprofen, or travel sickness remedies are common forms here. Not only can these help in the case of a health problem, but it can also be reassuring to know you have these close by you.
Another area of your health it’s important to consider is your eye care. Whether you’re driving a car or reading on a plane, having the right vision resources can seriously impact your comfort. Contacts can lead to dry and irritated eyes while wearing glasses can be inconvenient. Having a LASIK procedure makes travel more comfortable by avoiding the necessity of these devices. Though, it’s important to consult a doctor in the months leading to your trip to discuss your options.
Dress Appropriately
The clothing you choose to wear during your travels is one of the most important influences on your comfort. The mistake many people make is picking outfits they think are appropriate for their destination, rather than for the journey itself. Considering the temperature and restrictions of your method of travel can help you to make better decisions here.
That said, your best approach is usually to aim for agility. Conditions can change throughout a journey. You need to put yourself into a position in which you can easily make alterations to fit the circumstances. If you’re travelling by car, it’s worth keeping an additional sweater or jacket in the passenger seat or in a day bag nearby. Having a couple of footwear options available to you can also be a smart move.
If you’re travelling by plane, space is usually limited. Yes, you’ll have hand luggage in the compartment above your seat, but getting access to this isn’t always convenient. As such, the best approach is usually to dress in easy-to-remove layers. This allows you to make adjustments to what you’re wearing in a practical way.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to look forward to a trip when you’re dreading the discomfort of travelling. Take the time to prepare a range of elements that can improve your experience. This should include relaxation resources, medications, and appropriate clothes. Remember to avoid being sedentary by taking moments to stretch your limbs and walk around. With a few relatively simple steps, you can find more enjoyment in both the journey and the destination.
Indiana Lee
Indiana Lee lives in the Northwest and has a passion for the environment and wellness. She draws her inspiration from nature and makes sure to explore the outdoors regularly with her two dogs. Indiana has experience in owning and operating her own business. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @indianalee3.
