There is nothing worse than spending hours cramped into an airplane, bus, train, or car with people you aren’t even friendly with. This article will give you tips on how to still stay as comfortable as possible during those times that you don’t have much choice but to endure some degree of discomfort while traveling.
Is comfort the key to happiness?
People who travel a lot know that the key to happiness is comfort. Sometimes comfort also means taking days off of work just so you can relax and enjoy yourself without having to worry about deadlines and whatnot. The point is — we all want to be comfortable when we are traveling, but sometimes it isn’t possible and due to certain circumstances we must undergo some level of discomfort in order to stay safe and reach our destination quickly and efficiently.
What should you bring?
There are a few essentials that you should always have on hand whenever you travel. You never know when these things will come in handy — but they definitely do — so just keep them around. An extra pair of socks, comfortable shoes, an eye mask, ear plugs, hand sanitizer, tissues, wet wipes, lip balm, water bottle (empty), snack bars, back up snacks bars, gum/mints, a travel smoothie blender, heater… The important thing is a pillow and blanket. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer and the temperature outside is over 100 degrees — always bring a pillow and a light cover because those little airline cabins get cold.
Tips
Here are 8 tips of staying comfortable while travelling:
1. Dress in layers
Dress in a way that you can easily take off one layer of clothing if it gets too hot, or add another layer if it gets too cold. By wearing multiple thin layers instead of one thicker layer, your skin will breathe better, and you won’t get overheated when the sun is heating up the inside of the vehicle. Also, when traveling at night, use an eye mask, so you can sleep comfortably knowing that light won’t sneak in through your eyelids.
2. Bring entertainment
Just like when you are stuck indoors for any reason — find ways to keep yourself entertained! Download some music onto your phone/iPod/mp3 player before leaving home, or bring along a book. If there is an emergency and communication with the outside world is impossible, you will have something to do that can help pass time.
3. Don’t eat junk food or drink too much coffee.
These are just some of the things that will put added pressure on your bladder — meaning more stops! Not fun. Eat healthy snacks instead of comfort foods, so your body is operating at its highest level possible. You don’t want to go through all this trouble only to be worn out before reaching your destination. Of course if you are traveling for a few days it’s okay to indulge yourself occasionally — but make sure to eat well most of the time. Also, limit coffee intake because caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it makes you have to go to the bathroom more often.
4. Always bring a toothbrush and toothpaste.
If you don’t — you will be miserable by the end of your trip… I think we all know this from personal experience. Also, it never hurts to have some breath mints with you as well. This way, if there is an emergency and no one drives by for a while, forcing you to wait in the hot sun or cold rain — at least your mouth won’t smell bad!
5. Wear comfortable clothing
Now don’t get me wrong — if a certain outfit looks amazing on a model, then go for it — but if that doesn’t look good on YOU, then don’t be discouraged from wearing it just because someone on TV said it looks good. Comfort is key! Make sure to wear shoes that fit your feet and clothes that don’t restrict your movement in any way.
6. Rest
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, think about where you are going, and let all the tension out of your shoulders. It’s okay if you can’t sleep on the trip — try to rest as much as you can because when you arrive at your destination you will be happy that your body was given time to heal instead of dealing with fatigue from driving or not getting enough sleep the night before. Also, the extra rest will give you more energy for all the fun things to come!
7. Protect your skin
Don’t forget sunscreen if it’s bright outside, and wear a scarf or something to cover your neck/face when it’s hot, so the sun doesn’t burn you. Also, if there is no one else around after dark, turn on some lights inside your car, so bugs don’t fly toward you because their only source of natural light is coming from your headlights. And finally — remember that even though there are other people in the vehicle with you — consider yourself alone. Doing this will help calm anxious thoughts about being stuck out in nature by yourself at nighttime.
8. Stay hydrated
Always bring a bottle of water along and drink it often to stay hydrated. If you feel like you need more than just water, then there is always soda or juice that you can reach for as well. Just remember to only drink the amount your body needs because drinking too much plain water will make your stomach hurt and possibly give you a headache.
Why should you be comfortable when travelling?
Well, of course you don’t want to be miserable on your trip. However, there is a larger reason why you should be comfortable when traveling. It’s because the more relaxed you are on your trip, the better memories you will make. We all know how great it feels to return home from a vacation feeling completely exhausted but extremely excited about the adventures that took place — now reverse this idea and think of how horrible it feels to return from a vacation feeling completely exhausted and frustrated because you were uncomfortable the entire time. Not fun at all!
Traveling is something that everyone should find time to do in their lifetime. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just down the street to visit family, use these tips to make your next trip stress-free and more comfortable than ever!
