Stress and Travel

Alex Erman, Elizabeth Kurpiel, Jill Bogdan,

Kristina DiMaggio, Liz Nail, Rawson Glover, Ryan
Nicosa, Stephana Campbell, Vanessa Gregor
Examples

• Vacations
• Business Trips
• Commuting to work or school
• Research
• Study Abroad
• Visiting friends and family
Pre- Travel Planning
Expenses

• Rental cars
• Plane/ Train tickets
• Gas
• Hotels/ reservations
• Eating out
• Tolls
• Cab Fare
• Currency Exchange
How to pack

• Plan wardrobe
• Accessories- less is more do not wear
flashy jewelry that attracts attention
• Follow the weather of your destination
• Can pack less if you consider using
laundry services if available in your hotel
• Make list
– Electrical adapters, toiletries, medicine
Know what to bring
• Souvenirs
– Bring collapsible bag for purchases made while
traveling
• Valuables
– Try not to bring valuables
• Checked luggage
– Don’t bring nice clothes/luggage with you
• Carry- on luggage
– Pack light, bring essentials only, change of clothes
Stressors you will encounter

Traveling by car
• Breaking down
• Flat tire
• Running out of gas
• Accidents
• Car sickness
• Construction
• Traffic
Stressors you will encounter

Traveling by plane
• Security/ customs
• Overbooking
• Changing of flights
• Connections/ layovers
• Forgetting ID, passport, ticket
• Luggage
– Lost luggage
– Checking in (give yourself time)
Stress on Plane

• Noisy children
• Close/ uncomfortable quarters
• Weather delays
• Ears popping
• Boredom
• Turbulence
• Take off/ landing
• Terrorism
• Muscle cramps (neck, legs, back)
Stressors you will encounter

Bus and Train Travel

• Strikes and delays
• Losing tickets
• Safety and security of possessions
• Motion sickness
• Getting lost in station
• Missing stop
Managing Holiday Travel Stress

• Give yourself plenty of time.

• Check weather, traffic, etc. before leaving
• Treat yourself to something relaxing while
traveling
– New book, magazine, CD, etc.
• Accept the stress
– There will be traffic, bad weather, delays and
unexpected problems. Plan accordingly.
Before you travel abroad

• Make sure that your passport is current

– www.travel.state.gov
• Check that you are up to date on
immunizations
– US Center for Disease Control
• www.cdc.gov
• 877-394-8747
Oh No!!! I lost my passport!

• Over 30,000 US passports are lost or stolen

overseas every year
• If stolen
– Contact local police immediately to report loss
– Contact US Embassy
• www.travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
• Make two photocopies of signature and picture
– Keep one at home and one on you
Traveling Abroad
• Language
• Culture
• Money
• Safety
• Appropriate clothing
• Lodging
• Getting around
– Tickets
– Maps
Tips
Ways to relieve stress while
traveling
• Bring headphones, magazine, or book
• Play road games
• Sleep
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Bring a snack/ drink
• Travel pillow/ neck support
• Dress comfortably
Travel at off peaks times

• Red- eye flights

– not as crowded, but more uncomfortable
• Mid- morning travel
– Less crowd/ traffic
• Weekday travel
– Tuesday through Thursday
– Airfares are cheaper!
Request seats ahead of time

• Traveling with children

– Ask to be sat in non- crowded section
• Tall travelers
– Ask for seat in exit row
• Traveling in pairs
– Ask for aisle and window
Make special arrangements in
advance
• Hotel rooms
• Special activities
– Excursions, spa treatment, dinner reservations
• Special meals
– Make requests in advance
Know when to pay more for
comfort
• Limousine transfers
– Especially late at night, for a slightly greater cost can
be met at gate, and door to door service
• Airport transfers
– Arrange in advance, especially in foreign countries
• Premium classes of service
– Be willing to pay more for increased comfort and
better service
Pack your own stress relief
• Travel pillow
• Eye mask
• Slippers/ sockettes
• Aromatherapy
– Certain scents can help you to relax when stressed
• Herbal tea
– Bring chamomile or others that you enjoy
– Healthier, helps with dehydration, soothing for
nervous fliers
Stay healthy

• Avoid illness
– Immunizations
– Bring medications as needed
• Food safety
– Don’t consume questionable water or food
• Jet lag
– Eat nutritiously, take vitamins, drink water,
rest before long trips
Travel services

• AAA
• Private traveling agencies
• www.travelocity.com
• www.hotwire.com
• www.expedia.com
• STA Travel
– Located in Reitz Union
– Have good deals for vacations and spring break