Even the most seasoned traveler will admit to occasional bouts of anxiety while en route to that next fabulous vacation destination. Whether traveling alone, as a couple, or with a slew of kids in tow, one of the most irritating things to have to deal with is the inevitable flight delay. If lucky, the delay will be minor and result in a slight inconvenience of a few minutes (read: half-hour). However, there are those days when our patience is tried. The few minutes delay becomes an hour delay. That hour delay morphs into several hours with no seemingly good explanation for why this is happening. Forget the blizzard brewing outside or the tropical storm expected to make landfall any moment; airlines and airplanes should know how to weather these things by now. Sadly, the reality becomes that we end up stuck inside with the other passengers who are equally irritated and irritating. We need to release. We need to cope. How do we do that, though?

Coping Mechanisms

Meditation: First, breathe deep! Finding the depths of our lungs is not overrated. It creates release. Ideally, you will want to find a quiet space somewhere amidst the chaos. Try to remove distractions. This might be as simple as turning your back to the world in a corner and staring at the seams where two walls meet. Sit comfortably and ground yourself. Then let the art of breathing take over. If you can, try to follow a guided meditation. Even just a few minutes of relaxation can help stop the anxiety from the building.

Walking: Airports generally offer miles of walkable space. Walk from terminal A to B and back again. Skip the airport trams and adventure where few attempts to walk. There might be exciting finds and things to explore. A short, thirty-minute walk can help ease your anxiety, not to mention it has additional health benefits. Walking will take the mind off the endless delay, offer a fresh start, get the heart rate up a little, release some endorphins, and bring much-needed relief to the frustrations of inevitable travel delays.

Natural Remedies: There are plenty of over-the-counter options available to help ease anxiety, such as valerian root. CBD is also now widely available. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a natural supplement found in cannabis. Unlike THC, which causes the feeling of being “high,” CBD is not psychoactive. That’s why CBD makes for easy addition to your travel essentials. (Pro tip: you can find CBD oil for sale online if you’re not sure where to buy it where you live.) 

CBD has been proven to reduce anxiety, which is the ultimate goal when experiencing travel delays. It is calming and easy to travel with as well. And, yes, it is legal to travel with CBD if you follow the simple guidelines set forth by TSA. You may not bring more than 3 ounces with you on the plane, and the CBD product may not contain more than 0.3% THC. CBD is not an illegal or controlled substance, so you may possess it without breaking the law. However, some states do have limits on how much you can own.

Wine/Alcohol: It would be remiss not to mention that a small glass of wine, a beer, or a mixed drink might also do the trick to relieve anxiety while you wait. Imbibing just a little can take the edge off just enough to survive whatever additional delays get thrown at you. Though, you do not want to overindulge and miss your flight altogether (or misplace a bag or even a child).

Surviving That Extended Travel Delay

With a little bit of patience and an arsenal of coping mechanisms, hopefully, you find that inner peace while you endlessly wait to board your flight. Attempts to let go of the worry that the extra suitcase full of snow clothes will make the flight or the sudden panic that you forgot to lock the back door before leaving become less in your mind. The reality that you cannot control mother nature, the lack of answers as to why and how soon, or the fact that sometimes things just don’t go our way subside to visions of powdery snow-covered Rocky Mountains or balmy beaches in the Bahamas. Ultimately, you will arrive at your destination with your mind and body intact, ready to relax and play unencumbered by life’s worries for a few blissful days.