Solo travel seems very appealing until you get down to the practicalities and realities - having no one to chat about nothing with on the plane, finding your way around with the capacity of only one brain, feeling stressed and having to also partake in some solo drinking. All of these factors, particularly the last one, are all too real for me, so I've come up with some tricks that you can do to avoid solo travel drama and stress - most of which is found in the airport.
Have all of your documents in check:
Know where you're going, how you'll get there, when you'll get there, what documents you need, what the restrictions are, how much time you'll have to drink a coffee and pee (aka the body's essential processes). The more you know about what you're doing, the more in control you'll feel, and the more relaxed you'll be - whilst a bit of mystery is key to adventure, knowing the answers to all of the questions in an airport is always preferred.
Know where you're going, how you'll get there, when you'll get there, what documents you need, what the restrictions are, how much time you'll have to drink a coffee and pee (aka the body's essential processes). The more you know about what you're doing, the more in control you'll feel, and the more relaxed you'll be - whilst a bit of mystery is key to adventure, knowing the answers to all of the questions in an airport is always preferred.
Take entertainment:
Distracting yourself with the right entertainment will distract you from any stress and help pass the time. But obviously if you can't read when you're tired, don't take a book on your 5am flight, take something that you can watch or listen to. My favourites are podcasts - they use minimal battery, you don't need a big screen, and there's something for every mood you're in.
Distracting yourself with the right entertainment will distract you from any stress and help pass the time. But obviously if you can't read when you're tired, don't take a book on your 5am flight, take something that you can watch or listen to. My favourites are podcasts - they use minimal battery, you don't need a big screen, and there's something for every mood you're in.
Have provisions:
This seems small but this is a big one for me. On planes, I need to be hydrated and I need to not be hungry, because hunger brings out the stressed demon within me. Also, having something in your stomach and some water on hand is always great for avoiding travel sickness. So the first thing I do when I get through security is get a bottle of water and something plain, which is usually a packet of crisps because I know I'll be able to find it and enjoy it.
This seems small but this is a big one for me. On planes, I need to be hydrated and I need to not be hungry, because hunger brings out the stressed demon within me. Also, having something in your stomach and some water on hand is always great for avoiding travel sickness. So the first thing I do when I get through security is get a bottle of water and something plain, which is usually a packet of crisps because I know I'll be able to find it and enjoy it.
Be comfortable:
Being physically comfortable helps when you're not 100% emotionally comfortable. I always wear lots of comfortable thin layers so that I can keep adding layers as I go from the furnace of the airport to the increasingly freezing plane. Another thing I've seen people recommend is stress balm which is basically a balm that smells hella good - for me, this isn't a necessity, but it can be great if you're a nervous flyer.
Being physically comfortable helps when you're not 100% emotionally comfortable. I always wear lots of comfortable thin layers so that I can keep adding layers as I go from the furnace of the airport to the increasingly freezing plane. Another thing I've seen people recommend is stress balm which is basically a balm that smells hella good - for me, this isn't a necessity, but it can be great if you're a nervous flyer.
Consider meditation:
One thing I've started doing is a quick meditation session at the beginning of the flight, or in the waiting area, to get my thoughts in check and find my chill a little bit. I use Headspace, but you could just sit quietly with your thoughts and count your breaths for a little while.
One thing I've started doing is a quick meditation session at the beginning of the flight, or in the waiting area, to get my thoughts in check and find my chill a little bit. I use Headspace, but you could just sit quietly with your thoughts and count your breaths for a little while.
Human contact:
Obviously, watch out for stranger danger and all of that, but if talking to other people is what distracts your mind and keeps you calm so that you don't internalise everything, strike up a conversation with someone - in the queue at the cafe, in the seat next to you on the plane. Asking a question or a small favour is an oldie but a goody technique for starting conversations, and the airport is a place that is full of opportunities for this.
Obviously, watch out for stranger danger and all of that, but if talking to other people is what distracts your mind and keeps you calm so that you don't internalise everything, strike up a conversation with someone - in the queue at the cafe, in the seat next to you on the plane. Asking a question or a small favour is an oldie but a goody technique for starting conversations, and the airport is a place that is full of opportunities for this.
Now go out and enjoy your stress-free adventure!