Traveling Halfway Around the World: Coping with Stressful International Travel

International Travel is Exhausting

Have you ever experienced stress related to international travel? Yesterday, when I was traveling home from a business trip, I sat next to a family who looked like they had been traveling forever.  The two parents held a cranky toddler who was barefoot and wrapped in a blanket.  The flight was delayed but short, only about 90 minutes.  The family slept around the movement of the restless toddler.  As soon as she was settled into the lap of one or both parents, the parents immediately fell asleep.  The mother seemed to be particularly exhausted.  She finally lowered her tray table, put her head down on it, and slept.

As I observed this, I could tell that this family had been on a long trip.  I could relate.  In January, I traveled from Florida to India and back in one week.  I lost track of the amount of time that it took to get there, but it seemed to be around 30 hours and included three flights and a harrowing five-hour car ride through India as the sun rose.  One of the flights was 14 hours long.  The jet lag was stunning and extremely hard on my body.  My feet and hands became swollen, and I started worrying about deep vein thrombosis, a condition where a person can develop blood clots during air travel that can lead to lung problems, a heart attack, or stroke.

The week-long trip in India was amazing.  I was so busy that I had little time to rest.  And there wasn’t enough caffeine anywhere to keep me from feeling exhausted. By the time that I came back the following week, I was in the same shape as the family sitting next to me on the plane.  I learned a few things about the experience of taking multiple international flights  from my India adventure.

International Travel Tips

First, expect to be exhausted but try to just live with it.  I am one of those people who usually fights to stay awake.   This is not a good idea when you are on a long international trip.  You should take every opportunity to rest.  You will need the energy to make it through the trip.

Second, move around during the flights and in the airports between flights.  Sitting in one place in one position for 14 hours is not good for you.  Moving around from time to time can help your body cope with being so confined and can reduce swelling.  Even if you are sitting, move your legs and arms around.

Third, take some mindless entertainment.  Although your mind will be numb, you need to have a few movies, some music or relaxation sounds, an easy book, or a magazine with you to help you pass the time.  There is a lot of time to pass.

Fourth, wear comfortable and loose clothing. Think about the clothes that you own that most closely resemble pajamas. Comfortable clothing will help you rest and relax.  Nothing should bind you.  Even your shoes should be loose.

Fifth, try not to overeat or eat weird things.  During long international travel, there are a lot of meals provided to you on the planes.  I found that when I left the United States and headed towards India, the food changed to meals that were more appealing to other cultures.  A lot of the food was spicy and unusual to me.  Unless you have a stomach that rarely is upset, go easy on the unusual foods.  If you can, eat light.  Take small familiar snacks and drinks with you in case there is little that appeals to you at first.  Also, drink water to keep hydrated.

International travel is an incredible experience, but it takes a toll on your body.  Try to ease yourself into it, but also know that you will at some point experience unbelievable exhaustion.  Make sure that you have plenty of time to recover from it.

What do you do to cope with the stress of international travel?