Don’t Let Stress Spoil Your Trip

Planning, packing, tying up loose ends; there is a lot to preparing for a trip that can get you stressed out when getting ready to take a trip. But instead of letting these necessary tasks get you down, turn the tables by taking control in an organized and efficient manner.

Several weeks ahead:

Reservations: As soon as possible after deciding on your trip details, call and make all of your reservations. Car rental, hotels, campgrounds, airfare, special tours or events and other features of your trip should be reserved and confirmation numbers received. Start a notebook or file where you can begin filing these important items to be easily retrieved later. If you are flying out of the country, check now for any inoculations that may be needed, and check passports for valid dates.

Trip Guide: Do yourself a favor and indulge in the most important and efficient travel tool: THE LIST. Making a list of everything you need to do and pack up to a few weeks ahead of time will give you a guideline of where you are in the stages of trip preparation, and provide an organized tool to make you feel more in control. Set up any incidental services; stopping mail, newspaper delivery, petsitters, etc.

One week ahead:

Packing: Don’t wait until the day before you leave to pack. Begin a week ahead of time to start setting aside clothing items you know you’ll be using. If you will be flying, purchase inexpensive small plastic bottles that are allowable on planes, and fill them with shampoos, conditioners, body wash, lotions and more. The night before leaving on your trip, simply transfer all into a suitcase, add any last minute items, and you are good to go!

Confirmations: Any reservations for car rental, hotel or campground should be confirmed with a phone call at this point. Talk to your pet sitter or person who will be checking your home while you are gone to ensure everyone is on the same page.

The day before:

This is where your list will really pay off. By now, almost everything on your list will be checked off.

Airline tickets: Many airlines now allow people to print out their own boarding passes within 24 hours of the flight. Doing so allows you to avoid those long lines at the airport. If you have baggage to check, this can also often be done ahead of time, leaving just the task of dropping off the luggage. Proceed straight to your gate, and relax until your flight is ready to board.

Being organized will not guarantee something will be forgotten, but it sure will lessen the chances. It also gives the traveler the feeling of being in control, which lowers trip stress.