It's hard to retain your sense of "chill" during a holiday dash through the airport. Amped up TSA agents ordering you to stand in some hyper-specific but ultimately pointless configuration. The gate change that was announced in the 5 minutes you wandered off to grab a much needed coffee. And flight delays. Always flight delays!
It's an awful lot to handle before you even reach your destination. But don't let these minor annoyances leave you frazzled. Keep calm and pack these 10 stress relieving items in your carry on.
1. Bose QuietComfort 35 Noise Cancelling Headphones
A splurge for sure, but worth every penny. When you just can't chance hearing another Mannheim Steamroller Christmas song while waiting at the airport, pop these on and drown out the entire world. You can find the Bose QuietComfort 25 going for $279 on Amazon or, if you're feeling extra fancy, splurge on these wireless Bose QuietComfort 35 for $349, with Bluetooth and microphone to access Siri/Google Assistant.
Price: $349.00
Star Rating: 4
Amazon Review: "Great Pair of headphones. Definitely worth the extra cost."
As a companion to your noise cancelling headphones, listening to a little ASMR will relax even the most jittery of flyers. ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, refers to a relaxing tingling sensation on the scalp, neck, and spine, triggered by particular sounds like whispering, crinkling paper, and nail tapping. For those unfamiliar with the weird world of ASMR, this meditation compilation is a great place to start.
Price: $8.99
Star Rating: N/A
Review: N/A
While a full on weighted blanket may be a little impractical for travel, the smaller shoulder wrap is much easier to pack. The weights apply pressure to shoulder and back muscles, releasing serotonin and endorphins which help you relax.
Price: $39.00
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Review: N/A
Kava, an herbal extract native to South Pacific, is said to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia. Available in capsules or as a tincture. As with any herbal supplement, always consult your doctor before taking.
Price: $12.92
Star Rating: 4.5
Amazon Review: "Mixes well with water or juice. It relaxes you for sure! I am a high stress ADHD person and need all the help I can get! The taste is bad, and it kind of makes your mouth go numb, but not a big deal for me."
5. Essential Oils Aromatherapy Necklace
Oddly similar to the charm worn by Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby, though definitely not for tannis root. This diffuser locket contains a felt pad with the scented oil of your choosing. Dab with whatever scent you find to be the most relaxing, though essential oils like bergamot, sage, frankincense, marjoram, and lavender are said to ease anxiety.
Price: $14.50
Star Rating: 4.5
Amazon Review: "Love this locket! I double it up and it's a short necklace and I can smell it even more. Felt holds the aroma for days (if you use a good oil that is). Hasn't opened up on me yet and chain is plenty strong for me. Great bang for the buck."
6. Majestic Pure Frankincense Essential Oil
As mentioned above, Frankincense is known as a calming scent. This essential oil is unfiltered and undiluted, made entirely from the resin of Boswellia trees.
Price: $14.95
Star Rating: 4.5
Amazon Review: "Love this oil and its therapeutic uses. The whole family loves the smell and two neighbors have since purchased it....thank you for a great product!!!"
7. Harney & Sons Chamomile Herbal Tea
Skip the airport Starbucks line and opt for a chamomile tea instead. This go-to bedtime tea is good for mellowing moods throughout the day.
Price: $7.99
Star Rating: 4.5
Amazon Review: "Beautiful sachets, beautiful tea. My guests love it for a soothing drink (night and day!)"
Depending on where you live, it's probably a little too cold to go strutting around in sandals this time of year. But you can certainly wear them with around the airport, and inflight, to quiet those barking dogs. Controversial suggestion ahead! Wear 'em with socks (I know, I know) for added snugness, but mostly to spare the world from seeing your bare toes in December.
Price: Ranges by size and color, from $14.56 to $54.00
Star Rating: 4
Amazon Review: "These are wonderful house slippers or just for quick trips out. Not good for long term walking. No arch support. The little bumps massage your feet and stimulate all kinds of pressure points. The velcro band makes adjusting to your foot or size thickness easy. I wear my pair out. The little bumps wear down. You can see EXACTLY where your feet place the most pressure."
9. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
While waiting to check-in, waiting in security, and waiting around at the gate, you'll have puh-lenty of time to get some reading done. A former selection from Oprah's Bookclub, this book encourages self examination and living in the now. For maximum calm, go with the audiobook as read by Eckhart Tolle himself.
Price: $12.80 for the paperback, $8.99 on Kindle
Star Rating: 4.5
Amazon Review: "Eckhart Tolle is a most serene, calm, grounded and gentle soul. His books are always a pleasure to read, comprehend and put to good use."
It may take a special type of person to pull these off at the airport, though surely you are that person. It's proven that color can have varying effects on our emotions. To achieve a little calm, stay within the blue, purple, and pink range. This set includes 10 colors, with a rounded 80s frame, though you can find similar sets available in other styles. For those that don't want to splurge on a full set, you can buy only the color you'd like, and for much less.
Price: $119.25 for the set
Star Rating: 5
Lone Amazon review for this item: "Great."
