Keep calm, and put it in your carry on (a guide to relaxation while traveling)
With the often miserable state of air travel these days, hitting the sky can come with plenty of anxiety. Whether you need to prepare for client meetings abroad or are trying to keep your group happy with trip plans, travel is not always stress free.
Luckily, there are ways to help alleviate stress, so keep calm and put it it in your carry-on.
Enjoy the silence
From crying babies on planes to noisy hotel neighbors, it can be difficult to relax with so much noise around you. That being said, you may want to still enjoy a conversation. DUBS Acoustic Filters ($25) lower surrounding noise by 12 decibels, essentially reducing the volume of unwanted noise while still keeping balance and clarity of audio.
Sleep tight
The Slim Sleep Bracelet ($425) debuted in fall 2014, and helps wearers fall asleep faster and wake up feeling rejuvenated, especially helpful when crossing time zones. It works by attracting the same natural frequencies that occur during REM sleep, and is based on the scientific idea that Earth is surrounded by natural frequencies that help to keep the human body well and balanced.
Get in touch with your body
There are a number of apps travelers can use to help them physically relax. For example, Acupressure - Health Yourself ($1.99) features 90+ pressure point combinations that you can utilize to achieve certain results, like releasing tension or getting rid of a headache. Another is Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock ($0.99), a smart alarm clock you place under your pillow to analyze and graph your sleep.
Learn the art of meditation
If you’re anything like me, trying to enter a zen state just leads you to wonder what your next meal will be. Luckily, there are apps that can help, like the Mindfulness App ($1.99), which has a library of guided meditations that are as short as three minutes (hey, every bit counts) and as long as 30 minutes (I use these before bed).
Keep your trip stress free
Along with apps and gadgets, there are certain things you can do to make travel itself less stressful. For one, avoid booking flights with tight connections. Pack light, as the less you bring the less you need to worry about getting lost or stolen. And as always, make sure you’re being active, eating well and taking care of yourself, before, during and after your trip.