Travel strategy from a former International Delta flight attendant and now, professional world traveler and entrepreneur specializing in digital marketing. Let’s explore the ins and outs of international travel, and why packing smarter and lighter will benefit you. I’m not gate-keeping anything! By the end of this article, you’ll be fully equipped with all the knowledge you need to travel more efficiently for the rest of your life. Let’s dive in so you can travel smarter!
Author, Jennifer Dyer
Instagram @solymargoddess | https://solymartravels.travel.blog
Getting ready for D-DAY
Before the day of travel, I like to make sure I am set up for success. I like to slowly pack over a few days, so I don’t feel too rushed. I start by making sure I’ll stay healthy throughout the whole trip. So, don’t forget to bring in your routine vitamins and, stay hydrated, inside and out. Here I’ll share a few of my go-to steps after many long-haul flights.
Essentials for our flight
- Chewing Gum | If you have trouble adjusting your ears with the altitude, this helps to open up the ear channel during takeoff and landing
- Battery packs | a travel essential. It’s hard to always find outlets at the airport or even on airplanes. Come prepared, with a charged battery pack, and cable!
- Reusable water bottle | It’s more eco-conscious, and keeps your beverages colder! A “must” while traveling
- Sanitary wipes | Keep your space clean and tidy. I’ve seen the cleaning crew come through time and time again, and I can assure you they are not deep cleaning and scrubbing each tray and seat as you’d like to. So, clean your seat, buckle, surface of the screen and tray in front of you. Here, a mini portable sanitizer will come in handy.
Beauty | Accessories
When it comes to my beauty hacks, I first would recommend getting a compact cosmetic bag like the ones from Bagsmart on Amazon, for example. Then, you want to make sure you’re topped up on your minis essentials. From a mini straightener (if you use one regularly) to mini make-up pieces like the ones you can find in your favorite brands’ store or in the travel sections of big beauty shops like Sephora.
In any case, you want to make sure you’re packing light and pack little. This article is primarily aimed at carry-on travel, as it’s the cheapest and most practical way to travel nowadays, and plenty of short-haul flights allow you to easily travel with only a cabin bag. So, don’t forget to keep your liquids under 100ml size, or they’ll be confiscated at the airport.
Personally, I like to stop at a pharmacy after I land for a cosmetic hall and get essentials that can be saved from using luggage space, like mini shampoo. I sometimes don’t pack them and I simply buy local products, which is always a fun adventure on its own as it gives you a bit of a first glimpse at the cosmetics trends in that destination.
The next big topic for us is accessories. Shoes, bags, belts, jewelry, etc.! I know it’s so hard, and we want to bring it all. Trust me, I know. But let’s slow down and think things through. Before packing in all of your jewelry, make sure you determine first what can be mixed and matched. Let’s strategize. Remember, when it comes to packing, less is always more.
Also, If you’re like me and like to match the aesthetic of the place you’re traveling to, I would look up and see first the climate and temperature, and also the ambience of the trip. This will help determine what kind of apparel you’ll be bringing, and what will also look nice for photos and videos! For example, if you’re going to Thailand, you will need some kind of shawl to cover your shoulders every time you enter a temple as well as clothes that extend below your knee in order to show respect for their traditions.
Side tip: Wear the heaviest shoes and accessories on board, as the baggage clerk doesn’t weigh you. You can come as heavy as you wish!
Long Flights
Now, if we’re travelling over 10 hours, you might want to add extra preventative measures to the experience. For most people, a long-haul flight will feel like time slows down, as if you’re in a time vortex counting down the hours… minute by minute. But I promise it doesn’t need to be like this at all. If you come prepared, a long trip can be quite a relaxing experience.
First off, get comfortable. Pack a neck and an eye mask, and a leg hammock. Check out the brand Basic concept on Amazon for reference!
Next, as soon as you get on the flight, know your landing time in the local city you’re traveling to. Forget about the local time zone you just left, and start adjusting to the new time zone. This will be a lifesaver when it comes to jet lag on both ends.
Bring a Kindle reader, puzzles, a book, or anything that can keep you busy for hours on end. Sometimes I even like to come tired to my overnight flights. For example, on the days I’m going to be traveling I’ll work out more, so I will exhaust myself for the flight and hopefully sleep.
It’s also key, and usually forgotten, to stay hydrated. A plane will naturally dehydrate your skin because of the intense dehydration from the lack of humidity in the cabin, regardless of how long the flight is. So, make sure to drink a lot of water before flying and on board, as the humidity in the cabin is low and will dehydrate you fast. This really goes for all flights, but especially long-duration ones!
That said, watch your alcohol consumption on board. People get carried away ordering too much, especially with long flights’ open bar, but because of the altitude variant, the potency of the alcohol is more intense, and even though the cabin is pressurized, there still is an altitude shift thinning our blood oxygen levels.
I’d recommend to also bring electrolyte drink packets. Personally, I love and use CURE, an all-natural, vegan packet containing primarily coconut powder. Also, pack lip balm, and lotion to hydrate and refresh your face.
Lastly, for those out there that get hot flashes from hormones or just from being in a hot climate, I’d recommend buying a mini portable fan for your traveling experience.
Fitness
I am a personal trainer with a degree in clinical exercise science, so you know I work out almost every day and encourage you to do it too. So, I’d recommend packing a few lightweight workout essentials like resistance bands, water goggles, running shoes, and even a yoga mat if you have room! This will help with your energy levels, releasing positive endorphins and dopamine throughout your trip.
Working out is my cure for everything. It might not seem as enticing at the beginning, but by the end, you will be more fulfilled, relieved and energized to enjoy freely what you traveled for. I’d also recommend downloading an app that keeps you consistent in your workouts. I like to use Alomoves which includes Pilates and Yoga workouts with different levels of intensity!
And of course, if you want a hand-curated program, check out my personal wellness website www.coachjennifetdyer.com I create personalized wellness plans, all depending on your goals, with a focus on making it a lifetime change, not a diet or temporary fix.
3 more key tips to travel smarter
- Book Airbnb or hotels that have a laundry machine, and pack Laundry pods and fabric sheets so you don’t overpack clothes, and you can freshen your clothing when you feel.
- Opt for traveling during low seasons, this is a great option for anyone looking for more of a relaxed experience traveling. The price is always considerably less, and at times you can enjoy tours and experiences all by yourself and at a discounted rate.
- Buy yourself a portable luggage weigh scale on Amazon. So you don’t get to the airport and then realize your luggage is 10 pounds overweight, and now you have to pay the extra 100 USD charge for overweight luggage.
Hopefully, this will help you with your next travel venture! Thanks for reading, and if you have any lingering questions or any points I missed that I should know, make sure to write to me!
Hola.jenniferdyer@gmail.com
Happy Traveling!
Life Lovers Magazine® 