Ways to Deal With Holiday Traveling Anxiety
With the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approaching, there are going to be a lot of people traveling to visit family. I know the number one thing I dislike about traveling is flying, and most people have the same feeling.
As you know, many annoying inconveniences go along with flying. The time, delays, packing, cost, crowds, getting to the airport, and long lines are some of the unpleasant experiences for flyers.
It’s stressful enough when you travel at non-holiday time, but the thought of traveling this time of year can cause serious anxiety.
Newark Parking surveyed New Jersey travelers to find out what they’re most worried about as Thanksgiving approaches.
A report by Frontiers in Psychology found that up to 40% of Americans have some fear of flying, but there’s more to it.
Top Causes for New Jersey Holiday Anxiety
For New Jersey travelers, concerns about flight delays or cancellations are the top reason (42%) for airport anxiety. Whether flights will be delayed or canceled adds significant stress and be extremely disruptive.
Another major concern for New Jersey residents is missing connecting flights. 37% of us say that it’s a real fear.
There’s also the pressure of not having a familiarity with airports, where to go, and what to do when you get there is very stressful when your time is limited while trying to catch the next flight.
Many people try to avoid crowds whenever possible, but when you know an airport visit is necessary, then being sandwiched in a crowd could be inevitable. Being packed in with others doesn’t get any easier when you finally board the plane.
29% of New Jersey travelers dread the long walk between gates saying it’s physically and mentally draining.
Then there’s the 26% of Garden State travelers who fear their bags will be misplaced or lost. When returning from Florida one year we had a smooth experience until the plane landed in Newark. One of our pieces of luggage could not be found for hours. Thankfully, it was later discovered stuck on the conveyor belt that leads to the luggage carousel.
How New Jersey Manages Airport Stress
Like 60% of New Jerseyans, one thing I like to do is arrive at the airport extra early. It eliminates the stress of long security lines that make you wonder if you’ll make your flight on time. I’d rather sit in the airport a little longer with the peace of mind of being on time.
I’ll also keep the entire family’s documents like passports and boarding passes in one spot, then put them back there after showing when needed.
AirportParkingReservations.com suggests planning ahead, arriving early, pre-booking parking, keeping informed of the status of your flight, packing smart, educating yourself, and following security guidelines.
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Whip Up Deliciousness In A Flash: 7 Cheap Meals On The Fly
Spaghetti
Cook up some spaghetti noodles and top them with a simple tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs. Add grated cheese if desired. Another option is to prepare spaghetti squash noodles and pair them with a flavorful pesto sauce made from basil or spinach, as an alternative to traditional spaghetti with tomato sauce. Cook the spaghetti squash and scrape out the noodle-like strands. Then, toss them with a homemade pesto sauce consisting of fresh herbs, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
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Vegetable Stir-Fry
Serve it over rice or noodles for a delicious budget-friendly meal. Simply stir-fry a mix of bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and onions with soy sauce and a touch of honey or brown sugar.
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Bean Burritos
Bean burritos are a fantastic and budget-friendly option for a quick meal. Just fill tortillas with canned beans like black beans or pinto beans, rice, cheese, salsa, and any other desired toppings. Roll them up and heat them in the oven or on a stovetop skillet for a delicious treat. The best part is that tortillas, beans, rice, cheese, and salsa can be used for multiple meals, making it both convenient and economical.
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Nachos
Remember those extra ingredients from the bean burritos? Well, take the beans, rice, cheese, and salsa and make a nacho. Just grab a bag of tortilla chips and spread them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle on shredded cheese, canned beans, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and chopped green onions. Pop them in the oven until the cheese melts and the nachos are heated through. Top with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole if you like.
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Baked Potatoes With Toppings:
This meal is super easy to put together when you’re in a time and budget crunch. Bake some potatoes and top them with your favorite ingredients like sour cream, grated cheese, bacon bits, chives, or any other toppings you love.
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Fancy Grilled Cheese
Start with your favorite bread slices and spread butter on one side. On the other side, spread a thin layer of mayo. Sprinkle shredded cheese on the mayo side and add any extras like caramelized onions, spinach, peppers, bacon, or your other favorite toppings. Sandwich it all together and grill it up until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden.
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Flatbread
Many grocery stores offer affordable and delicious pre-made flatbreads that you can use. Just look for brands that fit in your budget. You typically can find these in the bread or bakery section of the store, or even the freezer section. Get creative with your toppings to transform your store-bought flatbread into a delicious and affordable meal! Whether it’s sautéed mushrooms, colorful peppers, or a variety of cheeses, the choice is yours. You can also experiment with different sauces like tomato sauce, white sauce, or even a drizzle of olive oil to enhance the flavors.
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