HOW TO MINIMIZE STRESS FOR TRAVELING THROUGH THE AIRPORT AS AN HSP
I’ve been solo traveling for a few years now and each trip is another learning experience! As an HSP, when I went on my first solo trip to Cancun, Mexico it was filled with so much anxiety, tears and a panic attack in the bathroom.
Two years later, I decided to embark on a self discovery trip to live and travel in Asia for 6 months (only been here a few days). I’ve learned a few things over the years through these panic attacks, tears and upsets stomach aches.
As an HSP / Empath traveling carries a lot of anxiety for me. I typically get an upset stomach the day before departure and I have to stop, slow down and talk to myself using positivity, love and patience.
Here are some things I’ve learned that could help you reduce some stress and anxiety of airport travel, along with some oils to take with you.
Before the airport:
· CREATE a detailed LIST of all the items you need to pack. Check them off as you go so that you can avoid the daunting, “did I forget _____?” More than likely you will forget something, don’t panic because unless you’re traveling to Antartica, Amazon delivers or there’s a market somewhere.
· PACK several days to a week in advance.
· DO your errand shopping at least 2 weeks before departure to allow “last minute things” the week before.
· CHECK-IN & print boarding pass before arriving to the airport, if this isn’t available to you (as it wasn’t to me when I left for Asia), arrive 30 extra minutes at the airport to take care of this.
· Know which TERMINAL to go to, look up a map if need be.
· STRATEGIZE by putting items that need to be separated in security on the top of your bag so you’re not digging through it in line, having eyes watching and waiting.
· PACK YOUR OILS!
At the airport:
· CHECK a bag if overhead storage is an issue. I once had a total meltdown when there was no more overhead storage and they took my bag to go below. Not tragic at all but I hadn’t planned or prepared for that, my fears of what if it doesn’t arrive skyrocketed…and you know what, it did arrive…but again Amazon delivers!
· Wear shoes that can easily slip on and off through the security line.
· Now is when those items you strategically packed at the top of you bag are easy to grab. Look at you go!
· ONE carry on…don’t get crazy and overload your arms while walking long distances through the airport.
· DON’T people watch, the airport is filled with people running with a look of terror on their face, I can never decipher if it’s the Zombie Apocalypse or they’re just tardy for a connecting flight.
· FIND your gate, THEN go get a drink or food.
· SET an alarm on your phone of boarding time so you don’t lose track or keep looking at your phone, anxious not to miss your flight, while you sit or window shop.
· WAIT for 85-90% of the plane has boarded so you can easily come on last and find your seat without rushing down the isle. This is also why you should consider checking a bag, to avoid no overhead storage.
On the airplane:
· FIND your seat and place your small bag under the seat in front of you, because you already checked a bag and don’t need to fight for bin space.
· SIT & BREATHE, this’ll be the last time for fresh air before take off. Close your eyes and repeat a positive mantra, something that gives you courage. If you’re like me the thought of sitting on a plane, confined with over a hundred people is nerve racking. This is also why I’ve started choosing an isle seat, to easily get up and go to the bathroom if I just need a few minutes to myself.
· Get your OILS out:
· OnGuard: applied to chest or bottom of your feet
· Lavender: Applied to pulse points, wrist, neck, bottom of feet.
· Headache blend (Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemon)
· DiGestZen: applied to stomach area below the belly button in a counter clockwise motion or ingested.
· Reapply every few hours depending on the length of your flight.
And don’t forget to BREATHE! On some of my most recent flights I’ve selected a positive mantra or prayer that I will close my eyes and repeat to myself while doing some deep breathing. This has helped my mental state tremendously in keeping my calm and peaceful while on the plane.