It’s no question that traveling can help us feel happier and more relaxed. However, it can also be pretty darn stressful at times.
From hunting for cheap flight deals and navigating airport security to the long layovers and changing timezones, travel can really take a lot out of you. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
That’s why we’ve partnered with our friends at Apollo, makers of the wearable device that actually improves your resilience to stress, to give you our best tips for stress free travel.
Arrive early
Turns out, your dad may have been on to something when he wanted to get to the airport several hours before take-off.
One of the most stressful parts of flying is the feeling of being late. Traffic on the way to the airport. Agent at the check-in counter giving you a hard time about your bag weight. The person in front of you who’s apparently never gone through airport security before. It’s all enough to have you nervously checking your watch every 5 minutes.
Instead of sweating every little setback, do yourself a favor and get to the airport early, about 3 hours for an international flight. It’s better to be killing time at your gate or an airport coffee shop than to be begging people to let you cut the security line.
Wear Apollo to reduce stress
Between rushing through the airport to adjusting to new time zones, travel already puts a ton of stress on your body. And while you’ve likely packed devices that will keep you entertained on the plane, what about a device that actually helps reduce stress?
That’s exactly what Apollo does for you. Developed by neuroscientists, Apollo is a wearable wellness device that uses gentle vibrations to actually help your body recover from stress. Simply strap Apollo onto your ankle or wrist and select one of the seven modes in the Apollo app, from deep focus to meditation to relaxation and sleep, and you’ll be shaking off the jet lag in no time.
Want to try Apollo? Our members can receive an extra 15% off their order by clicking here!
Get TSA Precheck and Global Entry
If you’ve been in an airport over the last few years, you’ve probably seen signs for TSA PreCheck. It’s a trusted traveler program offered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that grants you access to special security lines at the airport. These special lanes often move a lot quicker than normal security lines and have much less intrusive procedures, such as allowing you to keep your shoes on. TSA PreCheck costs $85 for a 5-year membership.
If you frequently travel internationally, it may be worth it to consider Global Entry, a program offered through US Customs and Border Protection instead of the TSA. Global Entry, which also includes TSA Precheck, allows for faster US Customs screenings when arriving in the US from abroad. Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership.
If you don’t want to spend the money on a membership, there are also several credit cards that will reimburse your Global Entry application. So with the right credit card, you could get TSA PreCheck and Global Entry for free.
Do your homework
Spontaneity is great, but arriving in a new country unprepared is a perfect recipe for stress. Before your trip, make sure you’ve familiarized yourself with your destination.
Do you have enough blank pages in your passport to visit? Should you learn a few key phrases in the local language to help make life easier? Do you need to add a world adapter to your packing list to fit their electrical outlets? How much should a taxi from the airport to your hotel cost in the local currency?
Asking yourself simple questions like this will make for a much smoother trip.
Seriously, use packing cubes
Rolling your clothes is a perfectly fine travel hack but it’s only going to save you so much room on its own. To really take your packing efficiency to the next level, we swear by packing cubes.
Packing cubes are awesome for a few reasons. Not only do they help you save space, but they also help keep you organized. Because your stuff is separated into different cubes, you can access the things that you need without having to completely empty your bag. Grab that shirt you’re looking for, zip your cube back up, and your backpack is still neat and tidy instead of looking like it exploded all over your hotel room.
Sign up for cheap flight alerts
One of the most time consuming things about travel isn’t just hunting for affordable flights and good room rates, but figuring out if you got a good deal at all.
Save yourself the time, stress, and money of hunting for flight deals by letting our team at Dollar Flight Club do the work for you. Sign up for free today and you’ll receive deals for 60-90% off airfare delivered right to your inbox! It doesn’t get easier than that.
