by Heather Harris

Created on: August 11, 2009

Whether traveling by planes, trains or automobiles, the stress of traveling can unravel the tightest of bonds. Families go mere miles before bickering and some of your best friendships can be put to the test after too many miles. So how do you de-stress while traveling? Prepare and plan, pamper and rest and enjoy the ride.

One of the biggest stressors of traveling can occur when proper planning is not put into place before the wheels touch the road or leave the tarmac. Not having proper documents, luggage, itineraries and reservations will not only hamper your start, but will leave you with the nagging sense of things undone throughout your journey. Be sure to have all the components, this includes fellow travelers, in place before ever hitting the road.

Know where you're going, who is going with you, when you will get there, when you will leave, where you will stay, some things you will (or won't) do and when you will come back. These commandments of the road need not be set in stone but if you have a day by day working plan it can reduce the what ifs that make people (most especially the driver) tired before the vacation has even begun. Some important things to consider taking to help with this is a GPS navigational system, a paper road map, all licenses or passports, and print-outs of spots you need or want to visit on the way. A simple 99 cent file folder to hold all this information is more than worth it.

The next tip in reducing traveling stress is pamper along the way. This may seem confusing, but miles on the road equals the need for some relaxing time on the seat of your pants. The massage chairs in airports aren't there for just looks. Rest stops on the interstate aren't just empty buildings. Take every opportunity you see (within a reasonable time frame) to stop and take time to rest, sit, walk around and generally get your mind off your destination. Take five minutes and get an automatic chair massage, find a nice rest area with a park and walk around, stop for a good meal at least once a day and don't rush through it.

Enjoying the ride should be at least half the fun. On any travel the unexpected sights you see on the way to your destination are probably what you will talk about for years to come. The Mom & Pop store on the side of the road in some unknown town, the exciting conversation you had with the cute man in the aisle next to you on the plane. These are the things that will relieve the tension of hurry, hurry, rush and might even make you want to make the trip a little longer than planned.

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