Stress and Travel Alex Erman, Elizabeth Kurpiel, Jill Bogdan, Kristina DiMaggio, Liz Nail, Rawson Glover, Ryan Nicosa, Stephana Campbell, Vanessa Gregor

Examples Vacations Vacations Business Trips Business Trips Commuting to work or school Commuting to work or school Research Research Study Abroad Study Abroad Visiting friends and family Visiting friends and family

Pre- Travel Planning

Expenses Rental cars Rental cars Plane/ Train tickets Plane/ Train tickets Gas Gas Hotels/ reservations Hotels/ reservations Eating out Eating out Tolls Tolls Cab Fare Cab Fare Currency Exchange Currency Exchange

How to pack Plan wardrobe Plan wardrobe Accessories- less is more do not wear flashy jewelry that attracts attention Accessories- less is more do not wear flashy jewelry that attracts attention Follow the weather of your destination Follow the weather of your destination Can pack less if you consider using laundry services if available in your hotel Can pack less if you consider using laundry services if available in your hotel Make list Make list –Electrical adapters, toiletries, medicine

Know what to bring Souvenirs Souvenirs –Bring collapsible bag for purchases made while traveling Valuables Valuables –Try not to bring valuables Checked luggage Checked luggage –Don’t bring nice clothes/luggage with you Carry- on luggage Carry- on luggage –Pack light, bring essentials only, change of clothes

Stressors you will encounter Traveling by car Breaking down Breaking down Flat tire Flat tire Running out of gas Running out of gas Accidents Accidents Car sickness Car sickness Construction Construction Traffic Traffic

Stressors you will encounter Traveling by plane Security/ customs Security/ customs Overbooking Overbooking Changing of flights Changing of flights Connections/ layovers Connections/ layovers Forgetting ID, passport, ticket Forgetting ID, passport, ticket Luggage Luggage –Lost luggage –Checking in (give yourself time)

Stress on Plane Noisy children Noisy children Close/ uncomfortable quarters Close/ uncomfortable quarters Weather delays Weather delays Ears popping Ears popping Boredom Boredom Turbulence Turbulence Take off/ landing Take off/ landing Terrorism Terrorism Muscle cramps (neck, legs, back) Muscle cramps (neck, legs, back)

Stressors you will encounter Bus and Train Travel Strikes and delays Strikes and delays Losing tickets Losing tickets Safety and security of possessions Safety and security of possessions Motion sickness Motion sickness Getting lost in station Getting lost in station Missing stop Missing stop

Managing Holiday Travel Stress Give yourself plenty of time. Give yourself plenty of time. Check weather, traffic, etc. before leaving Check weather, traffic, etc. before leaving Treat yourself to something relaxing while traveling Treat yourself to something relaxing while traveling –New book, magazine, CD, etc. Accept the stress Accept the stress –There will be traffic, bad weather, delays and unexpected problems. Plan accordingly.

Before you travel abroad Make sure that your passport is current Make sure that your passport is current – Check that you are up to date on immunizations Check that you are up to date on immunizations –US Center for Disease Control

Oh No!!! I lost my passport! Over 30,000 US passports are lost or stolen overseas every year Over 30,000 US passports are lost or stolen overseas every year If stolen If stolen –Contact local police immediately to report loss –Contact US Embassy Make two photocopies of signature and picture Make two photocopies of signature and picture –Keep one at home and one on you

Traveling Abroad Language Language Culture Culture Money Money Safety Safety Appropriate clothing Appropriate clothing Lodging Lodging Getting around Getting around –Tickets –Maps

Tips

Ways to relieve stress while traveling Bring headphones, magazine, or book Bring headphones, magazine, or book Play road games Play road games Sleep Sleep Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive Muscle Relaxation Bring a snack/ drink Bring a snack/ drink Travel pillow/ neck support Travel pillow/ neck support Dress comfortably Dress comfortably

Travel at off peaks times Red- eye flights Red- eye flights –not as crowded, but more uncomfortable Mid- morning travel Mid- morning travel –Less crowd/ traffic Weekday travel Weekday travel –Tuesday through Thursday –Airfares are cheaper!

Request seats ahead of time Traveling with children Traveling with children –Ask to be sat in non- crowded section Tall travelers Tall travelers –Ask for seat in exit row Traveling in pairs Traveling in pairs –Ask for aisle and window

Make special arrangements in advance Hotel rooms Hotel rooms Special activities Special activities –Excursions, spa treatment, dinner reservations Special meals Special meals –Make requests in advance

Know when to pay more for comfort Limousine transfers Limousine transfers –Especially late at night, for a slightly greater cost can be met at gate, and door to door service Airport transfers Airport transfers –Arrange in advance, especially in foreign countries Premium classes of service Premium classes of service –Be willing to pay more for increased comfort and better service

Pack your own stress relief Travel pillow Travel pillow Eye mask Eye mask Slippers/ sockettes Slippers/ sockettes Aromatherapy Aromatherapy –Certain scents can help you to relax when stressed Herbal tea Herbal tea –Bring chamomile or others that you enjoy –Healthier, helps with dehydration, soothing for nervous fliers

Stay healthy Avoid illness Avoid illness –Immunizations –Bring medications as needed Food safety Food safety –Don’t consume questionable water or food Jet lag Jet lag –Eat nutritiously, take vitamins, drink water, rest before long trips

Travel services AAA AAA Private traveling agencies Private traveling agencies STA Travel STA Travel –Located in Reitz Union –Have good deals for vacations and spring break