As the founder of a boutique travel and wellness public relations agency, our President Jennifer Hawkins can certainly be dubbed a travel expert! Discovering the world is not only her passion but also a part of her identity, with her work taking her to France, Peru, Mongolia, and many other incredible destinations on a monthly basis! She recently sat down with The Points Guy to discuss tips and tricks to reduce stress while traveling, and we’ve compiled a few more of her pointers below. How are you planning to be a healthier traveler this year?
Q: The booking process for trips can be stressful. How do you approach this to keep positive mental health?
“I’ve found that alleviating stress in planning a trip boils down to proactive preparation. It’s simple to get everything in order when you have consistent and reliable services. When I rent a car, I always go through Costco. Yes, Costco. Can you believe that? They simplify the process tremendously. Having that dependable service takes off a lot of the burden of booking and I can actually look forward to my trip.”
Q: The airport can be a stressor for many individuals? How do you deal with that?
“I actually am not included in that demographic. The airport is a breeze for me because I have Clear and can skip the line with a touch of my fingerprint. It saves me a great deal of time and hair pulling. I really suggest it for any frequent flier.”
Q: Traveling can be tiring on your body and mind. How do you cope with this in a car, train, or plane?
“I have a ‘homemade’ travel kit that I take with me everywhere I go. I won’t leave home without it. In it, there’s an Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy bottle that I roll on my pulse-points and it relaxes me for the flight. I use a Kiehl’s Ginseng Hydrating Spray on every flight and I’m always, always drinking lots of water.”
Q: How do you stick to your rituals when you’re in a different state or even country?
“Whenever I go to a new place, I always like to try out local wellness facilities for a massage, a yoga class or even a meditation. I use this app on my phone – MindBody – to pinpoint the different spas, gyms and services in the cities I’m visiting… I also use it when I’m at home. Health of body and mind is about consistency so using this resource to practice wellness while abroad not only keeps me healthy on the go but I also feel a million times better when I return home. If I took a pause from exercising every time I traveled, who knows when I’d go back.”
Q: Do you tend to bring your family with you when you travel? How do you all stay ‘healthy travelers?’
“Let me tell you, my family has very different food wants! So, there’s always the temptation of fast food for the convenience. I find carrying around small and easy snacks is the best way to go. I always have clementines and a bag of nuts with me for when the kids (or I!) get hungry. I always make a point to stop by the grocery store and find a good array of snacks when we first arrive.”