Holiday Travel Stress Busters

While the holidays are full of joy and cheer they can also be fraught with stresses and frustrations that carry throughout your busy weeks. As your ‘holiday vacation’ days loom ahead the pile of work that still needs to get done before you can sit back and relax is a real mood killer and the cause of stress for millions. Here are some holiday stress busters that work great at home or when traveling on the road to keep the stress at bay and the fun on the way!

First off get organized. By being well organized and planning out your daily schedules, travel routes, meetings or events either in your computer scheduler or calendar, on paper or on your smart phone will really help cut down on the anxiety and stress this bustling time of year can bring. Also keep in mind that stress is one of the main culprits for poor eating which can trigger the production of excess cortisol, a hormone that makes your body more prone to storing fat in your abdominal area and also making you feel sluggish, tired and unproductive.

Here are some easy ways to get organized for airport security for example.

• Ensure that all of your liquids are the right size and within easy reach.
• Keep your travel bag organized and pack a few healthy snacks so that you aren’t tempted by all of the junk food available at airport terminals.
• Wear socks and layers that are easy take on and off.
• Keep all electronics in the same bag to avoid them searching everything if they so choose.

Secondly, pack a day early for your trip to avoid that last minute ‘panic’ of wondering what you’re forgetting and so you can squeeze in a much-needed stress relieving workout. Don’t wait until the day of or the day before you travel to pack your bag. Do it a few days in advance, so you can save the day before you leave to squeeze in a workout or try to de-stress before you hit the road. A workout goes a long way to relieving the stresses of work, family and travel so be sure to make the time to pick a workout activity you love and do it at least 2x a week during this busy season.

Finally, invest in your own comfort this season. Even if you’re fortunate enough to be flying business class, the space on planes is limited and cramped. Landing at your destination feeling relaxed is important if you want to be your best on your trip. Some travel essentials you should remember to pack are earplugs, eye mask, some flight socks to help with blood circulation in your legs, a neck pillow and a warm sweater. These additional items may weigh you down a little; however traveling with some of your own comforts is much more pleasant than listening to loud conversations or not being able to rest because the light is in your eyes.

Share some of your favorite holiday season stress busters with us on Twitter @SmartCars1 using hashtag #stressbusters. We’d like to hear and share how you get through the holiday bustle without getting ruffled up.

Remember to make your life extra simple and book all your chauffeured ground transportation through SMART Cars online! It’s fast, easy and affordable to travel in style this holiday season.