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For many people, there’s nothing better than traveling during a holiday. But the holidays are also notoriously very stressful for travelers, especially those going through congested airports or traveling on congested roads. If you’re going to be traveling this holiday season, here are some tips to make travel a lot less stressful:
Consider Bringing Your Pet
If you’ve got a dog or cat, you may want to think about bringing it with you on your trip. Surveys have indicated that up to 45% of pet owners who experienced the loss of a pet say it was unexpected. If you bring a pet with you, it can make things a lot less stressful and you won’t have to take a chance by leaving a pet for the house sitter or someone else you are unfamiliar with.
If you do bring your pet, check with the airlines ahead of time to find out their pet policy. If you’re driving, make sure to have food and blankets with you, and take frequent breaks to allow your pet to rest and relieve themselves.
Be Mindful of the COVID-19 Rules
Tourism was among those industries that suffered the most when the pandemic started. Now that things are slowly getting back on track, countries worldwide are ready to welcome tourists.
However, you should be mindful of the new COVID-19 rules.
Luckily, you’ll find this information easily since each country has made its rules clear on government websites. If you’re traveling domestically, visit the official CDC page to get informed.
Familiarize Yourself With Your Route
If part of your journey during your holiday travels includes driving, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with where you’re going. If you’re going to be driving on roads or in busy areas that you’re unfamiliar with, you don’t want to be overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed can hurt your reaction time and lead to accidents. During the 2017 holiday season, auto accident lawyers in Texas reported that there were more than 2,500 crashes alone. By familiarizing yourself with your route, you can get a good handle on where you’re going and make driving a lot less stressful.
It’s a good idea to take a look at the weather and traffic conditions before you drive too. If you notice, for example, that a section of highway you’ll be traveling on is closed for repairs, you’ll need to seek alternative routes. If you notice in the weather report that you’re going to be driving in snow or rain, it may be a good idea to hold off until the skies have cleared.
Don’t Forget About Security
A big part of traveling includes making sure your home is secure when you’re not there. If you live in an area with high crime rates, you may want to consider installing a camera surveillance system as it may help deter crime. These days you can install security systems and get updates right on your phone, so if something happens when you’re not home you’ll be the first to know about it.
Prepare For The Unexpected
There’s no doubt traveling during the holiday can be fun. But you also need to be prepared for the unexpected. You can take all the precautions you want and drive safe, but sometimes things go wrong. When that happens, adapt to the situation and keep on moving. If you stay calm, it won’t matter that your airplane may arrive a little bit late or there may be some traffic on the highway you’re driving.
Being prepared also means having essentials in your carry-on if you’re traveling on an airplane. Traveling during the holidays means airports are crowded and more bags are going to be checked. In the event that your luggage is lost or comes to you on another flight, you can alleviate stress by having a spare change of clothes in your carry-on. Having some basic toiletries in your carry-on isn’t a bad idea either.
Preparation Pays Off
By preparing yourself, you can be ready for anything during holiday travel. A security system can protect your house, you can keep an eye on your pets by bringing them with you, and you can make travel much less stressful by planning ahead. It’s often said that success is a preparation meeting opportunity, and by preparing you can make your holiday travel enjoyable.