How to Reduce Travel Stress

Whether it is traveling for business or traveling for vacation or pleasure, traveling can be stressful and travel stress can ruin your trip. Tension can start from when your start planning up to the time you leave on your trip and continue right through until you get home again.

However, travel stress does not have to ruin your business trip or vacation. These simple tips are guaranteed to help you get rid of that travel stress bug.

Reduce travel stress with planning ahead

There is no better "cure" for traveling stress free than planning ahead.

Book and confirm your flights and hotel accommodations in advance. This will put you at ease knowing that delays are unlikely and there will be no surprises at the hotel desk.

Arrange your transportation for the duration of your travel before you start on your business trip or vacation. In case you will have to get around the city by taxi, it is good idea to ask the concierge to help you find a reputable taxi company.

Set up a mobile GPS, or your cellphone if it has GPS, with your destination details and main addresses.

Be prepared to get lost

Getting lost is probably the biggest nightmare for travelers and a major cause of travel stress.
Remember that you are in a foreign country or city and unless you have been there before, you'll have no way of knowing how to get around.
Before embarking on your trip, buy a travel book with maps and some useful phrases that you can use with the locals. Carry with you a credit card, identification papers and enough money to get around the city in case you get lost.
It is also a good idea to ask your hotel for a business card which you can show to locals when you ask for directions.
By acknowledging that you can get lost, you can reduce your travel stress by planning and being prepared.

Keep the communication open

Nothing can be a better stress-buster than staying connected with your family or office when traveling.

With today's technology, communication is increasingly more available. People who travel can now keep in touch through cellular phones, emails and text messages.

Rates in international phone calls are also cheaper now than before.

Set up a Skype connection, if you don't have one already.

Sample the local food and restaurants

Eating can reduce travel stress!
So, treat yourself to local foods and stay away from your usual staple of burger, spaghetti and cola. Be adventurous and have fun in local restaurants.
Before leaving, you can ask people who already traveled in the country or city if they can recommend any restaurants. Hotel personnel can also help you immensely.
When you're there, don't hesitate to ask for the house specialty and enjoy!

Do some sightseeing

During a stressful business trip set aside a day where all you do is visit the different sights in the city. Make sure that you have ample time to go somewhere and get back to where you must be.

If on a business travel, make sure that you have done all your work before you go sightseeing so that you do not have to rush back.

It will also help to make out an itinerary of places to see. You can always ask the hotel to help you with that.

Keep a travel diary

Writing down your experiences during your travel will not only preserves the memories, it will also help you reduce travel stress.
Describe the sights that you have seen, the places that you have been to, even the people you have met. Get small keepsakes from each experience, a napkin from the restaurant where you have eaten, a receipt from a souvenir shop, a bus ticket going to a special place.
These travel tips will help reduce travel stress and keep the magic of your travel with you.

Jens du Plessis manages a number of travel web sites and directories including International Travel Desk and The Traveling Diaries

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