Traveling is a fun and enriching experience that we count ourselves lucky to be able to enjoy, but there’s no denying that even in the best of circumstances it can be stressful. From crowded airports to unfamiliar languages to homesickness and more, it’s easy to let the challenges of travel get in the way of our ability to have a good time. While there’s no way to guarantee that everything will go 100% according to plan, we have discovered a few ways to limit travel stress so we can focus on all of the positive aspects of being in a new place.
Make a Budget
Money worries can make otherwise routine aspects of travel feel seriously stressful, but planning a budget in advance can help. Before you leave, make a list of all of the expenses you expect may come up throughout your trip and decide how much you feel comfortable allotting toward each of them. Be as detailed as possible, taking into account even small expenses such as snacks at the airport and transport to your accommodation.
Get Travel Insurance
Navigating a foreign healthcare system is inherently complicated, and believe us when we say that it’s the last thing you’ll want to deal with if you get sick or injured while traveling. Having a travel health insurance plan in place can make things easier and save you from any unexpected bills should you end up needing medical assistance abroad.
Use Apps
It’s kind of unbelievable how many things cell phones are capable of these days, and using technology to your advantage can make any travel experience go much more smoothly. Even if you won’t have service at your destination, you can still pin locations on Google Maps and then download a map of the area to help with navigation. Download the local language on Google Translate just in case you need help communicating offline, and use WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family at home when you are connected to Wi-Fi.