Hydrate. Make lists. Give yourself time. And other tips to reduce travel stress during the holidays

Traveling can be stressful at the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear that travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves.

Travel professionals say there’s plenty you can do in advance to make your vacation trip happier and less stressful.

Make a list and check things off

A week before you leave, write down the things you need to take with you and the tasks you need to do before the trip.

“This can include essential packing items, as well as simple tasks like clearing out old food from the fridge or watering the plants,” says Jess Feldman, special projects editor at Travel and Leisure magazine. “The key is to leave the list out for the entire week before you go. I cross off the to-dos throughout the week, and it helps me feel extremely prepared, reducing stress every time.”

Carry your comfort zone with you

Noise-cancelling headphones can go a long way in blocking out annoyances while traveling, but if you use them, be sure to keep an eye on the display boards or your phone for any changes to the flight or gate.

Spotify, YouTube, and other sites offer music playlists with names like “Relaxing Chill Out Calming Music for Airports” and “Perfect – Music Travel Relax.” Or try ‘Music for Airports’, a seminal album that launched the ambient music genre in 1978.

It’s also good to bring extra medications, a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and a phone charging cable, just in case.

Bringing some snacks or a sandwich from home can be comforting and a good alternative to the expensive airport offerings.

“I tend to pack for the worst-case scenarios, like flight delays and cancellations. Of course, this also includes bringing things to do, such as more than one book, knitting materials or a few extra downloaded movies,” says Feldman. For longer trips, she may take a meal in a Tupperware container.

Stay hydrated

To combat the dry air on flights, bring an empty water bottle (fill it after going through security) and a small travel-sized bag of lip balm and moisturizers.

Hallie Gould, editor-in-chief of Byrdie, a digital beauty care site, recommends “applying skin hydration before your flight. That means drinking extra fluids and applying moisturizing skin products to boost hydration so you’re covering your base inside and out.”

And don’t forget your hair.

“Just as the low humidity on an airplane is drying to your skin, it can also dry out your hair. If possible, use a deep conditioner before traveling,” says Gould.

Get app-y and know the rules

“Every airline has different requirements when it comes to the boarding process, paying up front for perks or seat upgrades,” says Feldman. “It’s best to understand all of the above before you go to the airport so you don’t get caught off guard.”

With the airline’s app you will be informed more quickly about gate changes, flight delays or cancellations and you can find alternative flights or connections more quickly if necessary.

Give yourself the gift of extra time

Security lines can be much longer – and slower – than expected, and so can the walk through a major airport. Giving yourself enough extra time can help reduce stress. The general rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

If you’re too early, you can always explore the shops and lounges at the airport or settle down with a good book.

“I always confirm in advance if there is a lounge I can access at my departure gate,” says Feldman. But even without lounge access, she says: “I would like to know what the restaurants and waiting areas (near) the gate are like.”

Try to identify the source of your fear

“Understanding why you feel stressed can help you find ways to reduce that stress,” says Lynn F. Bufka, practice director for the American Psychological Association. “So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, are there things you can outsource? Is there anyone in your family who can help with parts of the planning?”

Recognize that crowds, bad weather and canceled flights are beyond your control.

And some people just don’t like traveling or flying far.

“If it’s anxiety, like fear of flying, it’s important to know that it can be treated, and that treatment can really improve the quality of your life,” says Bufka.

Prepare to welcome yourself home

A little extra time to declutter your home and make sure you have easy-to-prepare food ready in the freezer or pantry will make for a much more welcoming outcome.

“Always, always, always clean your space before you travel. It’s inevitable that you’ll feel a little under the weather after a long day of travel, and coming home to a disorganized space will make it that much worse,” says Feldman.

Wash the sheets, take out the trash, put away clothes, clean the counters. “Coming home to a neat and tidy space is the best homecoming, especially after being away for a long time,” she says.

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AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin contributed to this report from Detroit.

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For more AP Lifestyles stories, visit https://apnews.com/lifestyle.