I’m very much a stereotypical Taurus when it comes to needing structure and a certain level of comfort on a day to day basis. Sometimes traveling can throw off my balance and I feel out of sync. Over the years I’ve learned a few things to make myself more comfortable when it comes to long and short flights for various trips and vacations.

Especially on trips 7 days or less I try to pack as light as possible to fit everything into my carry-on (a backpack as my “personal item” and a small suitcase that fits in the overhead compartment) without checking any bags. I had a bad experience the first time I went overseas for my study abroad where they lost my checked bag and I had to go a few days without some of my important stuff so I learned pretty quickly to 1) pack essentials in my carryons and 2) pack as light as possible. It’s just easier wherever you’re going but especially Europe where there’s rarely elevators and usually cobblestone streets that makes it a pain to drag heavy luggage through.

Below are some of the things that I’ve learned work for me, my flying tips and tricks, in making me feel comfortable and relaxed no matter how long my flight is.

1. I always stock my fully charged Kindle with several books so I have plenty of options when traveling. I like to have at least a fiction novel and usually an inspiration/self-help book or business book so I can easily switch up what I’m reading depending on my mood without having to lug around a bunch of books in my suitcase. Reading as soon as I get on the plane helps me kind of zone out of the chaos around me.
2. I have a tendency to get motion sickness so my ritual with flying is to always get to the airport and through security with at least 30 minutes to spare before boarding the plane. This way I have time to grab a vitamin water and take a Dramamine before boarding. I know this may sound a little OCD but it’s never a great feeling getting nauseous on a plane surrounded by people! Not going to lie too, the Dramamine gets me a little drowsy so it helps me sleep easier on the plane.
3. In addition to the reading and Dramamine I always dress warm and in layers because it can get freezing on airplanes. A light coat can also double as a pillow as well! This is why I always book a window seat so I can try to sleep leaning against the window. I also pack an eye mask and headphones in my carry-on so I can block out any light and sound on long flights.
4. Snacks and water are always a good idea to pack in your carry-on to keep up your energy. I’m trying to pack more healthy snacks as I have a tendency to eat crappy food when traveling.
5. Comfortable flats or tennis shoes are also a must when it comes to traveling. That way if I have a quick layover I can easily power walk between gates so I don’t miss my next flight.
6. For really long flights, like 8 hours or more, it’s really good to get up every couple of hours and stretch your legs or do some seat exercises to keep your body from getting too stiff and legs falling asleep in the cramped space.

Essentially, my travel habits involve blocking out all the noise around me and just using flights to catch up on some reading or  much needed sleep. Flying is also a good excuse to turn off your phone and do a nice digital detox for a couple of hours! After I land, I usually get a big latte from Starbucks so I can counteract the effects of the Dramamine depending on how long the flight is. It’s also important to keep moving depending on the time difference to get over the jet lag and push through it.

Hopefully these travel tips are helpful! Let me know some of your tips for surviving long flights and airports below in the comments!

Check out my other blog post on Some of My Favorite Books: Traveling through Time