Stress-Free Holiday Traveling in The COVID-19 Age

By Katie Sandler

The holiday season is typically the busiest time of the year for traveling. People enjoy going to see family members or exploring new locations as they have time off from their jobs and schoolwork. This year, traveling may come with a bit more stress and anxiety due to the pandemic that people are facing around the world. The good news is that there are some things you can do to help reduce the holiday stress, as well stay safer while traveling.

There may be fewer people traveling this holiday season, but there will still be a lot who do, and they need to know how to make it more enjoyable. Mindful travel is the key to reducing stress, staying safer, and making the most of your time traveling. This year will be a great exercise in mindfulness, which is something to be excited about.

As an expert at using mindfulness, I help people not only reduce their stress, but also reach new goals. The key to traveling safely during the pandemicis in using mindfulness throughout the experience. By remaining mindful, travelers will go about their experience in a way that is conscientious and intentional. Just as many things in life, this is an issue that comes down to learning to be more focused and plan ahead.

Here are my tips for mindful and safe travel in the era of COVID:

Forget being spontaneous. This is not the time. In order to help reduce risks and stress, figure everything out ahead of time. Know about everything before you go do it. This is true for dining, excursions, and even visiting others. Call ahead so you can plan out as much as possible.

Know the rules and regulations. The rules today differ by city and state, so it’s important to know what they are for where you are heading. Get the information you need so that you are prepared. Whether it means all meals will be takeout, you will have to wear a mask, or you need limit the number in your party, avoiding surprises will help keep things stress-free.

Get tested before you go. Getting a COVID test before you travel is a good way to help reduce stress and the spread of the virus.

Create a checklist to use. Make a list of what needs to be packed, calls that need to be made, things that must be done before heading out, and anything else you need to remember. This will prove much easier than trying to keep it all in your head.

Make reservations wherever possible. Whether it’s at a restaurant, a tour company, or something else, this is a great way to help them limit the number of guests allowed in any one place at the same time.

Be kind and patient. People you come across while you are traveling are doing things differently, too, and it may cause them to be stressed out and provide slower service. Take that time to remind yourself to be in the here and now.

The holidays are a special time, and most of us still want to travel. While we shouldn’t live in constant fear of the virus, we should strive to keep being keenly aware of the situation and our surroundings. When we do that, we will reduce the stress and anxiety, help to keep everyone healthier, and still be able to enjoy life, even more than when we travel without being so focused.