Travelling, whether business related or a pleasure trip, can be highly stressful for most of us. Sudden changes in climate, time zones, eating routines, last minute rush to airports, highly strict bureaucratic procedures and endless security checks, can really bog you down with lot of stress & anxiety. One needs to follow a few very practical steps to cut the stress & beat the jet lag, which might spoil your globe trotting trip.

Calculate travel times sensibly. Be prepared but avoid excessive planning. Be ready for delays, rainstorms and sudden changes in your flight schedule. Keep a check on the airlines/travel agency website or be in touch with them over the phone to get timely information regarding changes in their schedules.

Mind your posture & dress for comfort. Sit relaxed & maintain a comfortable posture, while waiting as well as during the travel. Change your position regularly & allow frequent neck movements to avoid muscular spasm later. Wear loose fitting clothes that help in air circulation. Also, it is always advisable to choose your attire depending on the climate of your destination.

Eat Right & eat light. Don’t rely on the flight food, especially if you are prone to stomach disorders or indigestion. Eat light meals before & after the flight. Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol during the flight. Opt for fresh/packed fruit juices or lemony drinks.

Pick your favorite book. Isn’t this the best time to catch up with some really good stuff by one of your favorite authors? Or a book that has been lying on your bookshelf since ages & you were not getting enough time to read it?

Be you a smart & well-informed traveler. Doing a bit of homework about your destination, the local language, cuisine etc, would be extremely helpful when you land in a foreign country. Take adequate risk management & safety measures. Plan for the worst & hope for the best.Pack medications, carry less cash & a few credit cards. Scan 2-3 copies of your passport & documents, leave one at home & keep the others in each bag that you carry.

Beat the Jet-lag that eventually develops as a result of air-travelling across several time zones. So, to cope with jet-lag prepare your body beforehand. For a few days before your journey, adjust your sleep and meal timings according to the time-zone of your destination city.

When things go wrong….don’t sulk. Few things are simply inevitable. Do not seek for a perfect trip. There would be lost luggage and bad weathers, grouchy fellow passengers and screaming kids, noisy airports and unhygienic toilets, late arrivals and untimely departures. Accepting the fact, that you really cannot change these things would be less frustrating for you. So take a deep breath and relax!