Flying can prove challenging for even the most emotionally stoic among us. All the planning and preparation, timings to navigate, and security queues to contend with end up working in tandem to fray the nerves.
Recently, the combination of a cancelled train and an inordinately long security queue left me sprinting to the gate, suitcase in tow, with minutes to spare despite having left my house well on time. To say I felt stressed would be an understatement. But I still fared better than my travel partner, who forgot her passport and missed the flight entirely, having to join the rest of us hours later.
Then there’s the plane journey itself, which for obvious reasons – nausea, turbulence, and the fear of something going wrong – can be difficult for some. Even confident flyers will concede that being in the air can be tedious at best and downright uncomfortable in certain instances, especially on long-haul flights.
However, while we can’t control everything, there are things we can do to ease pre-takeoff jitters and keep our minds as calm as possible during the flight. Below is a selection of hand luggage-friendly items I keep in my arsenal to ensure I’m as prepared as possible for the flight ahead.
The Right Luggage
Packing correctly can help ease travel anxiety before you’ve even left the house. We’re big fans of an external pocket-equipped cabin case, which allows for easy access to essentials. When I last traveled with this type of case, I placed my laptop, chargers, and washbag in this pocket, thus avoiding the need to open my suitcase at all when dealing with the scanners. This made the process significantly smoother, and I felt quite accomplished.
Moreover, choosing the right under-seat carry-on bag can also streamline your journey. While I’ve flown with a small sling bag in the past, I wouldn’t recommend it for longer flights that require additional entertainment. Instead, opt for a rucksack or large tote—it’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared for stressful situations.
A Travel Wallet
While only you can stop yourself from forgetting important travel documents, investing in a travel wallet has substantial benefits both in the airport and once you reach your destination. Often, these wallets have space for more than one passport, helping keep your partner’s documents safely together with yours. Many travel wallets feature additional pockets for currency, keys, SIM cards, and more, making them a one-stop solution for keeping all travel essentials organized.
On-the-Go Remedies
Once you’re perfectly packed, prepped, and seated, you’ll want to navigate the flight with ease. Some find that Aesop’s ginger flight therapy helps ease in-flight jitters. “I place it on my pulse points before take-off, and the ginger root and lavender scents help calm my flight anxiety—and nausea!” Similarly, a few sprays of lavender essential oil can be soothing when trying to sleep on a flight.
Helpful Accessories
It’s a fact: aeroplanes are loud. A good pair of earplugs can help drown out the sounds of the cabin, while noise-canceling headphones enhance the experience by allowing you to focus on podcasts or films. A Bluetooth audio transmitter can also connect your wireless headphones to the aeroplane’s system, especially beneficial on long-haul flights.
A Comfortable Outfit
Wearing comfortable clothes is essential for feeling relaxed during your flight, especially when sitting in confined spaces for extended periods. Fortunately, there are plenty of smart, breathable loungewear sets available. Lastly, compression socks can effectively alleviate any swelling that may occur during transit.
