Does traveling usually make you anxious? With a little reframing and planning, it can be a source of relaxation, self-care and pleasure.

I recently spent 24 hours in transit to and from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, and I felt like I had meditated for a really long time after each journey – calm, centered and excited about my adventure in the Caribbean, and then about getting back to my life in New York.

That many hours on planes and trains used to make me cringe, but now I get excited when I have a long trip ahead of me.

Why? Because it’s actually the perfect opportunity to reboot and replenish through self-care. All you need is a little bit of planning.

You might tense up when you think about travel, nervous about getting to your destination safely, or getting stuck next to someone who smells bad, or the worst, screaming babies.

Everyone has their own version of travel hell, and it’s easy to wish yourself into a sticky situation with all the possible things that could go wrong.

The truth is that travel is the ultimate quiet time to be with yourself and totally unwind and unplug.

Because guess what? You’re stuck in one spot, so it might as well become a meditation. And there’s usually no WiFi, so social media – a big subconscious source of anxiety, comparison and energy drain for a lot of people – is off the table.

Bonus: When you go into a journey with a calm mind, expecting it to be a source of relaxation, you’re much less likely to have a major delay or other travel issue. That whole positivity and manifestation thing really works. Try it.

If you want, you can glide to your vacation or work spot with total ease.

Here are five ways to turn transit into self-care:

1. Request an aisle seat or window seat, preferably in the emergency exit aisle. You’ll have more legroom and the freedom to move around as much as you’d like, or snuggle up to the window and check out the view the whole time. Whatever your personal favorite seat is, make sure you request it in advance, and rally for that extra legroom. It makes all the difference – being crunched up messes with your circulation, leading to cramps, numb toes, and irritability. When you have space to read and meditate, transit becomes self-care. Fun fact: On the way to Costa Rica, I forgot to request the emergency exit and got it anyway. Sweet.
2. Bring the best snacks. Don’t ever depend on airplanes or flight attendants to feed you well while you’re in transit. Stock up on fresh cut vegetables, nut butters, trail mix, organic grass-fed jerky, and anything else that nourishes your individual body. The idea of 12 hours on a plane sends many people into the fight or flight response, food aside. Add hunger or malnourishment from nutrient-void non-food and you have a recipe for blood sugar disaster, spiked cortisol, and serious moodiness. Eat every 3-4 hours to keep your blood sugar stable.
3. Hydrate. This is the most important thing to do when you’re traveling, as being on an airplane seriously dehydrates your body. I drink about two big bottles of water for every flight I’m on, or more depending on the length of the flight.
4. Wear comfortable, cute clothes. Wearing an outfit that looks great and is super comfortable will make you feel great while you fly. It’s easy to throw on sloppy sweatpants, but going that route actually has a big impact on your psyche, whereas wearing something you feel great in boosts your mood and increases serotonin production so you’re happy and calm in transit. Dressing in a way that makes you feel awesome is one of the ultimate forms of self-care.
5. Use breathing techniques. Especially if you’re prone to anxiety around traveling, use breathing techniques to slow your heart rate, calm your mind and engage your relaxation response. Breathe deeply into the stomach for five seconds, expanding fully, then exhale for five seconds and repeat until you start to feel very calm. Another breathing technique I love that is super relaxing is simply breathing in on the count of four, holding the breath for four, breathing out on the count of four, then holding the breath out for four, and repeating. These are two techniques that engage the nervous system’s relaxation response, washing out cortisol, the stress hormone that makes us anxious and overweight. Traveling is the perfect opportunity to practice this deep form of self-care, as you might forget to do it in your busy everyday life.

What’s your experience with travel, and specifically, being in transit? Do you get anxious? How can traveling become a source of whole health for you? Any great travel tips?

Share one question you have about healthy traveling below, one awesome tip, or both. I can’t wait to hear from you!