Stressed Out About Your Upcoming Flight? Tips For Success

Do you like to fly? Or do you have a fear?

Alaska Airlines flying over Seattle

I see so many people stressed out about air travel.

Here are some helpful tips to make it easier.

1. Always book directly on the airline's sites. Avoid Expedia and things like that. 3rd party stuff can cause a lot of drama--same for hotels. Basically, you can use those to find out price points but don't use them if you can avoid it. Also, remember--you get what you pay for. 2. Avoid discount airlines. 3. Get to the airport EARLY. 4. Travel light and always leave a little extra room in your bag for souveniers or if it's colder than you thought it would be an you need to buy a coat or something. 5. Drink extra water before flying and on flights. Dehydration when flying is a real thing. It's why people are so jetlagged. Honestly, the more water you drink, the better you will feel. At the airlines, we say, "One in the air is like two on the ground" referring to alcoholic drinks, and that is because you get drunk faster at 35,000 feet, and one of the reasons is being dehydrated, so drink heaps of extra water the week before your flight and the day of. You can also do a hydrator like LIQUID IV when you get off the plane. Don't do it right before, or you will have to pee before you are off the ground. 6. Wear LOOSE clothing--never tight jeans or leggings on flights.Tight clothes can be dangerous to your health not to mention are very uncomfortable in the air as our bodies will swell naturally when flying so pack your skinny jeans, leggings, and tight dresses, but do wear light, breathable fabrics. There are a few companies that I love for outfits, but you don't have to spend a lot of money on good safe clothes. Also, ALWAYS wear trainers or flat shoes. High heels have no place on a plane.

I love PACT. Their clothes are comfy and sustainable.

I also LOVE PASHKO because they know the science behind why what you wear matters.

7. Get TSA pre-check, CLEAR, or global entry if you travel overseas. All of these will benefit you when you go through security and get to your gate faster. I'll do a post about them all specifically in the future. They all have benefits, and you get Pre-Check with Global Entry (USA), so if you plan to fly overseas and want Global Entry, you will also get Pre-Check. 8. Be understanding of delays and such---they are always for YOUR safety. Getting angry doesn't help anyone. Remember, if a flight is grounded, it's so it doesn't crash. If the pilot doesn't show up, they can't take off anyway. If they don't have enough crew, they can't fly in case of an emergency. Delays are ALWAYS 100% FOR YOUR SAFETY! You should thank the airline instead of posting about how horrible they are on social. They just saved your life by canceling that flight. 9. Eat before and during the flight. (please don't bring stinky food on board!) Eating before will help you feel more satisfied and relaxed when boarding. If you are hungry, you may be HANGRY too and then get agitated easier. Always have a meal before flying. It also helps in case you are delayed. If you can, order a snack on board. It will distract you and help your digestion in flight. 10. Use mobile apps to check in for flights and hotels. This just makes everything go smoother when you show up at the airport. 11. Sometimes, car services are cheaper than taxis, Uber, or Lyft. I love using a private car service when I can, then I know that I'll get picked up or dropped off, and I don't have to wait for someone to decide that they want to go to the airport. 12. Check YELP for car rental services before you book them because you never know. If it's too good to be true, like super cheap, there is probably a reason for it! 13. Always be nice to everyone! This one is important. When in doubt, a smile goes a long way. You don't know what someone else is going through or how they feel.

I know it can be challenging but do it; you don't know what people are going through. I was sitting next to a man two weeks ago on a plane, and I was tired and wanted to watch a film, and he wouldn't shut up.

I talked to him, and when we landed, he admitted that he was terrified to fly, and talking to me made it easier. You never know.

14. Airline/FAA rules are in place for your safety, so don't try to sneak that massive bottle of shampoo on or whatever.

If you are still feeling nervous about flying, check out SOAR https://www.fearofflying.com/

Soar is a great resource for flat-out fear of flying. Many people have it and there are no stats that you can read that will make you feel better, so get some help. Traveling shouldn't be so terrifying and if you have to fly for your job, you want to make sure that you aren't focusing on things that aren't going to happen.

I hope this is helpful!!

XO Stephanie

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