Easing Travel Tension
For the Thanksgiving holiday, we, like millions of other Americans, traveled to see family. When you have traveled as much as I have for business, you notice how different holiday travelers are versus those who travel regularly. During the holidays you see lots of people traveling with small children, older people who have trouble getting around, and everybody has far too much stuff. As we traveled the day before the holiday, I couldn’t help but notice that people were excited, happy, and had a lot of patience. They were even willing to help and provide assistance to the less experienced traveler.
However, on the way back, it was a different story. You could see it in people’s eyes. The excitement was over. People were tired. They were worried about getting home and missing their connection. The mood had definitely shifted. You could feel the tension. One of things that I noticed was that everyone was “living inside of their head.” For example, they weren’t aware that their backpack was hitting people as they moved through the aisle. They barked at the flight attendants who were doing their best to accommodate everyone’s bags. Their focus had narrowed. They were totally oblivious to their environment and the people around them. No one was helping anyone… everyone was grumpy.
Of course, this could be expected. The excitement was over. We were all anxious to get home. However, having literally spent decades in airports, I have learned how NOT to allow this hectic environment stress me out. I do this by turning it into a mindfulness practice. For those of you who have travel planned during the holiday season, you might find my airport practice helpful to you.
TIPS TO EASE TRAVEL TENSION
I begin my practice when I approach the security screening area. Here’s how it goes:
Before I get into the security line, I make sure that I’m prepared and have everything handy so I don’t hold people up. The real secret to getting through the process with as little stress as possible is to have your hands free and be able to lift your bag easily onto the security belt.
When I am prepared for the process, this frees me up to be aware of others and treat people as people. Once I’m free of worrying about my stuff, I find it easy to smile and greet the tired and overworked TSA personnel - and to adjust my awareness to help others who are not prepared or don’t know what to do. Helping others is a great stress reducing activity.
As I approach the bag screening area, I take note of what’s going on around me. I notice how focused the TSA personnel is on viewing the bag on the screen and silently express appreciation for his or her professionalism and dedication to keeping us safe. On the occasion I get pulled for extra screening, I remind myself that not only is it the other person’s job to do this, but it’s for our safety.
Once I gather my bags and get ready to head to the gate, I take note of the people around me and consider the reason they might be traveling today. Some could be going on a much-needed vacation, others might be traveling to see family, and some might be traveling due to a death or illness of a family member. This simple exercise helps me build my empathy quotient as I move through the airport.
Next, as I walk to my gate, I move my attention to what I see, hear, and smell. It’s amazing how many airports have beautiful architectural features and even artwork that most people never notice.
As I walk through the terminal, I sometimes turn my attention to the various aromas as I walk past tons of food options. You know, the smell of cinnamon rolls baking or the smell of freshly popped corn.
Listening is my favorite thing to do in airports. After I find a place to sit and wait for my flight, I close my eyes or point my gaze down. Once I’m settled in, I take a few relaxing breaths. Then I tune in to the sounds all around me. Once I am still, I can hear lots of things — like the air conditioning blower, the sound of announcements, snippets of conversations, and the sound of my own breathing. One of my favorites is how the sound of people moving through the airport sounds like a large flock of birds.
When it’s time to board, I make sure that I once again turn my attention to others. It’s very easy to get judgmental and cranky as everyone crowds to board. It is amazing how smiling can lift my mood, as well as those around me, even when I don’t feel like smiling. I also challenge myself to find someone to help while I’m waiting — such as offering to hold something for a mother traveling with her children, or offering advice to a less experienced traveler, or letting someone go ahead of me in line.
Once I’m on the plane, I step up my game in terms of empathy and resisting the urge to judge others. Whenever I notice that I’m starting to judge someone for their lack of consideration or lack of awareness (such as the person who opens all of the closed bins), I take a moment and consider what must be happening for them to act this way.
Finally, there are so many ways to show gratitude once you’re on the plane. My favorite is to not only respect the flight attendants for what they do, but to find ways to make their job easier.
I am far from perfect when I travel. I get cranky and frustrated like everybody. And when I do, I adjust my perspective and focus on the outside world. And, remind myself that the type of experience I have is up to me.