Travelling is something everyone enjoys doing, but navigating airports can be a rather tricky thing. In fact, over 63% of travellers find getting to the airport to be the most stressful part of travelling. The fear of missing flights, the unpredictability of large crowds, the frequently-overwhelming environment at airports which are often large, crowded, and noisy, and the potential for mishaps and things that are out of order during the boarding process are some of the most likely causes for the anxiety you experience before travelling.
Being able to keep these negative emotions in check is crucial for your well-being and ability to have a travelling experience that is positive overall. If you’re dreading the airport experience, here are some things you should keep in mind the next time you travel.
Get there early
There is one common denominator when it comes to airport fears: the anxiety of being stuck in traffic and missing your flight. Luckily, there’s a very simple solution to this problem, and that is getting there early. About one to two hours earlier should suffice, and it might actually help settle your nerves as well, especially if you live reasonably far from the airport. If driving your own vehicle puts your mind at ease and makes you feel more in control of the situation, that is what you should do. However, make sure to look up the best Manchester Airport parking spots in advance. There are many options to choose from, but booking a spot early means that you can get the one that’s best for you, perhaps for a more reasonable fee as well, and even keep it for longer if you plan on extending your trip.
Parkos offers some of the best deals and ensures all car parks are carefully inspected beforehand so you don’t have to worry about the safety and security of your vehicle during your travels. Ideally, you should also check in before you arrive at the airport, or you risk not having a seat by the time you arrive as a result of overselling. This practice is fairly common across airlines, with the aim being to ensure higher gains. Arriving early also means that you have time to go through security and find your gate. Performing all of these essential steps early on gives you time to relax afterwards and be calmer when you enter the plane.
Pack light
A lot has been said about travelling as light as possible and fitting all the items you bring along when travelling into just one bag you can bring alone on the plane. Minimalist packing and abandoning the idea of checked luggage altogether might seem downright impossible if you’re used to taking a lot of things with you when you travel, but it’s not impossible and will put your mind at ease. Naturally, this philosophy may not work for all trips and flights. Sometimes, you just need more clothing or other items that cannot be packed in your carry-on. But, anytime you can, you should try to only travel with one bag.
If you’re an over-packer, bringing just one bag along can also help you make better decisions when it comes to the things you wear and use during your trip. If you’ve returned home only to discover that you packed clothes you never wore, brought along skincare or makeup you never used, or brought a lot of items that you completely forgot about until your trip was over, it’s clear that something needs to change, and trying to fit everything into a carry-on can be the motivation you need to get started.
Bring a pullover
This piece of advice may sound ridiculous if you travel in the middle of summer, but if you’re a habitual traveller you’ve probably noticed that airplanes and airports tend to get quite chilly, even when it is fairly hot outside. Even though you may not feel like you’re freezing right away, things can get uncomfortable very fast, and it will definitely impact your enjoyment of the trip. This is why it’s nice to always have an extra layer readily available so that you can bundle up if you start feeling cold.
If a pullover is too much for you to bring along, you can always rely on a warm scarf to do the job just as well. If you end up not needing it to regulate your body temperature, you can always use it as a pillow to make your neck comfortable when you take a nap, especially if you’re stuck at the gate because of delays and want to rest for a while.
Entertainment
If you’re prone to anxiety, worrying, and overthinking, flying will probably not be one of your favourite things. Distractions are welcome, and luckily, there are so many of them to pick and choose from. Shows and films are the most obvious, so if you have one last season to catch up on from the latest series you’re watching, you could use your long-haul flight as an excuse to binge-watch the whole thing. Download the content you want to watch to guarantee a seamless experience throughout your journey.
Sleep well
Always make sure to sleep well before a flight, especially if you expect to be jet-lagged upon arrival. If you expect you’ll have trouble falling and staying asleep, you should head to bed a little earlier than usual to give yourself time to unwind first. Avoiding screen time right before bed, as it can impact your circadian rhythm and make sleeping even more challenging. The anticipation that comes with traveling can already wreak havoc on your sleep patterns, and you don’t want to add fuel to the fire.
To sum up, while travelling is a favourite hobby for many, getting to your destination can often be challenging. Airports can be stressful and anxiety-inducing, but taking a few extra precautions beforehand can make things much easier for you and help banish some of the worries from your mind. Making the most of your travels starts with some careful planning.