With Thanksgiving right around the corner, millions of Americans are gearing up for one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Navigating airports during the holiday rush can be a major source of stress.
Even if you have a deathly fear of flying, sometimes you just have to board an airplane, especially if you have family across the country and the holidays are approaching. If you’re visiting family or friends this Thanksgiving, take a look at our guide to avoiding the anxiety that comes with traveling at this time of year.
How do Americans Manage Airport Anxiety
To help travelers manage their anxiety and enjoy a smoother journey, AirportParkingReservations.com undertook a survey which has revealed how Americans are staying calm and relaxed during the festive travel season.
So what are the top strategies for managing airport worries?
With 35% of Americans worried about delays and cancellations, having a backup plan is essential. The team at AirportParkingReservations.com also recommends purchasing travel insurance, as many policies cover non-refundable airport parking fees in the event of a flight cancellation. But how else are Americans reducing airport anxiety?
The survey reveals that 57% of Americans recommend arriving at the airport well in advance of departure to avoid feeling rushed and stressed. Another 47% say that being well-prepared with documents and travel essentials can help reduce last-minute worries, while 44% highlight the importance of booking flights early to secure travel plans and minimize anxiety.
For many travelers, personal relaxation techniques play a key role in managing stress on the go. Listening to music (36%) and reading (26%) are common ways people unwind, while 12% practice breathing exercises for added relaxation.
Meanwhile, 16% of travelers use mobile apps for flight updates and airport navigation, and an additional 15% opt to travel during quieter hours to reduce the hustle and bustle.
Top Tips to Manage Airport Anxiety & Travel Stress this Thanksgiving
While Thanksgiving travel may feel daunting, as an airport parking provider we know how stressful planning a trip can be. Here are a few practical tips to reduce airport anxiety and enjoy the journey this holiday season:
Book Early and Plan Ahead
Thanksgiving travel can be hectic and expensive, so booking early helps secure preferred times and routes.
Tune in and Tune Out – Bring your favorite playlist or audiobook to stay calm and entertained. Whether it’s music, podcasts, or a novel, a familiar source of comfort can make waiting more enjoyable.
Make an Itinerary
Planning is the only way to stop worrying in its tracks, so set up a good schedule for the holidays where everyone is on the same page. Make sure all family members know what they are to bring, when they’ll be arriving and who will be coordinating pickups.
Pre-Book Your Parking
To reduce the risk of parking-related stress, pre-book your airport parking. This ensures you have a reserved spot and can head straight to your terminal without any delays.
Setting up parking ahead of time is a must-do if you’re a stressed traveler, or even just someone who likes to be prepared and organized. Waking up early and getting to your pre-reserved parking spot is a great way to kick off your Thanksgiving trip. Using a site such as AirportParkingReservations.com will save you time and bring you peace of mind. And these parking coupons may not help your stress, but will help your wallet!
Give Yourself Time and Arrive Early
Don’t add more stress to your travels by running behind schedule. Spend some time creating a list of things you’ll need to do leading up to your trip and map out a timeline. On the day of your trip, make sure that you plan enough time to just relax for a bit by reading, meditating or listening to soothing music. Traveling is stressful even without adding relatives to the mix, so you’ll really appreciate that time to unwind before things get hectic.
Aim to reach the airport well before your departure time to avoid last-minute rushing, which only heightens stress. Most travelers recommend at least two hours for domestic flights and three for international ones.
Pack your Essentials in Advance – Pack your documents, ID, boarding passes, and travel essentials the night before to avoid any last-minute panic at security or boarding.
Use Mobile Apps – Get Your Airline’s App
Download airline and airport apps for real-time updates on flight status and gate changes. Many airports also have interactive maps to help you navigate with ease.
If you’re like most people, the thought of missing your flight is enough to cause a panic attack. You can mitigate that thought process (and the accompanying stress) by planning ahead and downloading your airline’s app. Every major airline has their own free app on the market now and they are highly useful at reducing flight anxiety; they’ll alert you to any changes in your flight ahead of time and let you know your gate number so you’re not wasting time staring at the lists of flights in the airport.
Keep Yourself and Kids Entertained
If you’re an anxious flyer, pack as many things to entertain yourself into your carry-on as possible. Make sure that all of your devices are fully charged and ready to go, (with back up chargers just in case) or distract yourself with a great read.
Have a Backup Plan
Delays are a common part of holiday travel. Have a backup plan ready, whether it’s rescheduling options or alternative travel routes, to stay calm during unexpected changes.
Breathe
This tip may seem trite, but breathing exercises have been proven to have a significant positive impact on your mental state. There is a bevy of different breathing exercises that can help you in moments of stress and anxiety. When you find yourself spiraling out of control, take a moment to focus on nothing else but breathing slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. As silly as it sounds, it’s a sure-fire way to make you feel better quickly.
Seek Support
If the airport feels overwhelming, ask for help. Airport staff and travel companions are often more than willing to assist with information or lend a calming presence.
Spending the holidays with family may be stressful, but they’re still a time to be thankful and present with your loved ones. Remember to slow down and cherish the moments with them!
With the right mindset and preparation, travelers can look forward to a more enjoyable Thanksgiving journey and fewer holiday travel worries. Safe travels, and happy Thanksgiving!
Photo by:
