8 “Must-Haves” You Always Forget To Pack When You Travel

8 “Must-Haves” You Always Forget To Pack When You Travel

I’ve managed to do an exhausting amount of travel for someone who, let’s be honest, loves her creature comforts. I hate stress so, maybe needless to say, I’ve gotten pretty good at packing.

In that time I’ve learned that there are some serious travel ESSENTIALS – especially for days where most of your time is spent in an airplane.

Here are the items we often forget to pack, and always regret not having in our suitcase. Have these with you — or else!

BOOKS OR BOREDOM

There is literally nothing worse than taking off, sitting comfortably in you seat, putting your headphones on and realizing that your state of the art, in-flight entertainment system just… doesn’t work. Like, at ALL. Bonus meltdown if your flight is at night and/or you don’t have a window seat.

That’s where books come in SO handy!

On my last few flights I devoured Own Your Glow, Claim Your Power and even did edits for my next book that comes out next year! There’s honestly nothing like reading an empowering work when you’re 30,000+ feet in the air! Inspiration galore and the time goes by SO quickly. Plus, at the very least, it’s a great way to fall asleep 😉

HEADPHONES OR DAGGERS

…and a bunch of kickass playlists you won’t get sick of. But seriously – headphones are the difference between a pleasant flight and a flight where you are actually, seriously contemplating murdering a stranger’s young, screaming child.

Make sure that your choice of headphones covers both of your ears and they are noise cancelling. None of this iTunes headphones earbuds crap. I bring the headphones I use to record music with me. They’re my absolute favorite because they cancel out not just noise, but the whole world. One meditation track later and I could be sitting next to that stranger’s young, screaming child and still drift peacefully off to sleep. Let someone else stare daggers in their parents exhausted direction. I’m gonna get some Zzzz’s. Wake me when the food cart comes.

WATER BOTTLE OR SH*T GETS REAL

I actually, truly, legitimately forgot how dehydrating travel was. Let’s see. There’s the fact that you are barely inspired to drink water because god forbid you have to get up to pee AGAIN. There’s the fact that the flight attendants hold water from you like they only have a certain amount and you’ll never see water again until you land (oh, wait…) There’s the issue where it seems like every minute your skin just gets drier and drier and DRIER until you finally catch your reflection in the bathroom mirror and notice that it looks like someone came with a syringe and sucked all of the water out of your entire body. You know what I’m talking about. We’ve all been there.

I carry an organic water bottle with me everywhere, at all times, but it’s ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL to start this habit when you travel. Flying on an airplane, sitting in a bed of recycled air and germs, can lead to dehydration and illness. While traveling, drinking water is not only important for hydration but also for staying resistant to germs.

Carrying your own bottle ensures that you can easily fill up on water when necessary just by tapping a flight attendant on the shoulder and asking politely, rather than sitting and waiting for them to “bring water around” (which may only happen once or twice on a 6 hour or more flight).

MOISTURIZER OR ILLNESS

My skin? SO DRY I could barely talk on my last flight out east last year. So since then I’ve been taking a moisturizer with me at all times and luckily, now I have products that I truly trust to keep me company on my journeys!

Before you fly at all and to combat the germs we touched on earlier, apply Waxelene to your entire face and even use a Q-tip to apply some in your nose before getting on a plane to avoid catching a cold. Airplane air can be drying, and if the inside of your nose becomes cracked and dry, infection is much more likely. How does this help? Well, this organic formula creates a barrier that doesn’t allow germs to penetrate through the nose, but you are still able to breathe.

I loved using the Genetix Glow Brightening Serum on these last few trips because I truly think it made all the difference! It’s formulated with high potency, organic rosehip, melatonin and hyaluronic acid that immediately tackles dull, pore-clogging dead skin cells, revealing smoother, fresher, younger-looking skin. An absolute travel MUST, since your complexion can change rapidly while flying. I also love using the Cellular Recovery Serum under my eyes to get rid of that oh-so-tired look that’s inevitable while traveling.

What I love is that in just one use, fine lines appear visually plumped. Over time the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation and the visible signs of aging are reduced for a healthier-looking complexion. Perfect for all skin types and all ages, this treatment is enhanced with turmeric and chamomile for maximum brightening and instant radiance. Doubles as a highlighter over makeup, if you’re a makeup-while-traveling kind of gal (I, perhaps needless to say, am not.)

TRAVEL HEAD PILLOW OR PAIN

I used to think those people walking around the airport carrying head pillows were dorks. Turns out, they’re GENIUSES. AND I own at least 5 head pillows now. SO yeah. Shame on me.

I prefer the ones that feel like velvet, but honestly, they’re all game-changing. If you’re literally nodding as you attempt to nod off, a Head Pillow will ensure your head stays cradled securely in place. You can also use them basically any way you wish to make a comfy, squishy pillow for yourself. I love mine and it keeps me from being in SERIOUS neck or back pain if I fall asleep on my flight! You can easily find the best one for yourself too, just by looking on Buyers Impact at the many reviews they provide. This way you’ll be provided with the best comfort and won’t have to worry about getting a nasty cramp in your neck during the flight.

MERMAID RAZOR OR BUST

SOMETIMES you land and realize as you turn on the hotel room shower, that you forgot one of the most important things… a razor! And I get it. You had a lot on your mind and they’re normally hard to find amongst all the other bathroom looking toiletries.

NOT ANYMORE!

Now, your razor looks like a mermaid, so you’ll never forget if you packed it again! This Mermaid Razor seriously changed my hygiene game, as I’m a huge culprit of showering the morning I leave and forgetting to pack ALL my shower stuff. LITERALLY will NEVER forget if I packed my razor ever again! How the heck could you?!

PERFUME OR ESSENTIAL OILS

Smelling good shouldn’t be your last thought when traveling, but it often is! Seriously, though – this is an important one. After all, YOU have to smell yourself all day long!

Well, they are called ESSENTIAL oils for a reason… idk what I’d do without them!

I dab some calming rose essential oil onto my wrists, neck and into my hair pre-flight to ease my nerves. Want something less subtle? I love my trusty Ded Cool no. 2 roll on which is sexy and unisex, with notes of juniper and sandalwood, coupled with a light and fresh scent of Zoe Organics Aroma Oil.

DEODORANT OR EJECTION

Freshen up in a pinch with some travel size organic DEO with you! Traces of raw organic honey, lavender and eucalyptus inflect the subtly alluring scent of this long-lasting deodorant made with food-­grade ingredients—organic coconut oil, beeswax, sodium bicarbonate, avocado butter, sunflower butter, castor oil, honey and healing essential oils—to work on even the most sensitive skin. Deodorant regularly shows up in my top 10 list of search keywords that brought people to my blog. Why wouldn’t it? Many use it and you definitely need it when you travel. There have been times that I’ve been on a hot stuffy plane where the person next to me needed a double dose of it! I mean, airlines have LITERALLY kicked passengers off their flights for their body odor. Don’t be that guy!

Healthy Travel Musts: Don’t Get Caught Without These On-The-Go!

Healthy Travel Musts: Don’t Get Caught Without These On-The-Go!

If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat, you know I just wrapped up a (very busy, very crazy!) trip to my hometown of New York.

It was one.wild.trip. Full of family fun, desksides, meetings, scooting from NYC (work/events) to Long Island (family) each and every day. I also squeezed in a feature on the news, a trip to Martha Stewart Weddings to plan my wedding, and introducing T to my family (FINALLY!! And yes, my man asked me to marry him before he met my family. Talk about special.)

I almost forgot how much each of us NEEDS to have certain “stuff” with us whenever we leave home. Not long ago, I was packing and unpacking my suitcase every 3 weeks. The (sometimes brutal) flight across the country from Cali to NY has forced me to create a routine that works so I’m not stranded, starving or in pain – places I’ve found myself without preparation before. Over the years, I’ve learned to pack really smart and really, really healthy. No settling for Doritos or peanuts on the plane for me! I’ve got a book in my lap, my kale salad with flax seeds tucked under the seat in front of me, noise canceling headphones strapped to my dome, meditation tracks rocking on full blast and I’ll be sipping my alkaline water with a satisfied grin. Give me any cranky baby to sit next to and I’ll manage to figure it out. For real.

After all my trials and errors, there are definitely a few “MUSTS” that I know everyone could benefit from when they travel!

essentials

-Before you do anything, pop some Vitamin C to ward off all the germie mcgermensteins you’re about to encounter. Supplements are a no-brainer for me, but I know that they’re sooo easy to forget! Trust me. I’ve been there. They sit in your pantry and completely slip your mind when you’re buried in bras, socks and beauty products to sort through. I have DEFINITELY forgotten to bring them with me in the past with MAJOR regrets. Just a few days of forgetting some of my supplements (like DIM, GABA, St. Johns Wort, Probiotics + Activated Charcoal) and I am totally screwed and back to square one with my health! Not necessary! Supplements are easy to pack – keep your favorites for the day in a zip lock bag and stash it in your purse if your flight is early. Then pack your supplement bottles in your suitcase or carry on! Voila! Life saved!

-Water and lip balm are a MUST. Airplanes & airports are SO dehydrating! Flying may be a quick and convenient method of getting around, but it does have some drawbacks. Some of the common health problems that affect airplane passengers are often the result of a lack of humidity in the cabin air, which can lead to dehydration if you’re not careful. Lip balm is a great way to protect your lips from chapping and your skin from suffering. I use Waxelene on my face, lips and I even put some inside my nose to protect from germs. It works wonders. I normally bring the 2 oz jar with me since it’s under the TSA 3 oz limit!

PRO TIP: It’s easy to stay hydrated, too. TSA will take your plastic water bottle. Pack a durable water bottle with you and keep it empty. When you get through security, find the nearest restaurant and ask them to fill you up with water. You can even ask them to add lemon, cucumbers or herbs! BAM – you’re alkalized!

-A good book and a new notebook are essential to a stress-free experience. There is nothing like getting lost in a good story if you’re stressed, anxious, waiting or bored (which happens a LOT during travel.) I love starting new books and to begin writing in new notebooks during my trips. 10,000 feet in the air is a great time to have a fresh start. On this particular adventure to NY, I brought my copy of The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh and I got this adorable Thoughtfully Magazine collab notebook in my gift bag from The Well Summit, which was awesome to have on the flight home. I am working on Book #2 so I’m writing down ideas cooonstantly. Writing and reading is so therapeutic during travel, which can be a very inspiring time.

-You know what I wish I’d figured out sooner? That you need to use SPF on an airplane more than you need it at the beach. Or basically any other time in your life. Why? Well, in an airplane, you’re ABOVE the cloud. SPF is an absolute must to wear when you fly because of the UV radiation caused by elevation. Airplane windows don’t filter out the sun’s rays! Don’t compromise your window seat view – just protect yourself. I add Josh Rosebrook’s Tinted Nutrient Day Cream (with SPF 30) to my face, neck and décolleté about every 1-3 hours, depending on the trip. On top of protecting your skin, you’ll barely need any other makeup to look dewey and awake!

-If you want to keep yourself fresh on your trip, pack yourself some healthy deodorant! Even if you’re not prone to wearing deodorant, this is the ONE time you’re going to want to give in. Between the time you get to the airport and the time you get to your destination (or your hotel room) the temperature will have changed roughly 3963069030 times. ESPECIALLY if you’re going on a vacation, this is practically a given. Agent Nateur is the healthiest choice in this arena – it was also my pick when I judged The Glamour Beauty Awards last month. And it really, really works!

-One of my huge must-have’s is a travel size body oil and an organic, 100% natural face oil. I knew that NY was going to be windy and I knew the airplane ride was going to be dehydrating. So I packed my powerhouses! Vered’s AMAZING, award winning anti-aging face oil was one of the first oils I ever purchased when I switched to green beauty, and it’s been a staple in my beauty cabinet ever since! Full of omega fatty acids that keep skin super hydrated during travel. It is highly nourishing for normal, dehydrated, mature or dull skin. Laurel’s intoxicating California Body Oil is calming, de-stressing, and features organic Avocado, Rosehip Seed, and Tamanu for their rich texture, rich vitamin and mineral content, and healing nature. I use this delectable oil as a mood booster and relaxation therapy every hour or so along my way.

-Not only do I carry my own food and water with me when I travel, I also take my own tea bags. Just ask for hot water and honey or lemon on the plane and you have yourself the exact remedy you want – whether you’re trying to relax, to ward off a cold, to stay awake or get work done, there’s a tea for you! Easy, simple and so good for you!

-I keep a crystal with me at all times to balance my energy. You encounter SO many people, so many energies when you travel that it’s difficult for us to stay grounded without picking up on those energies and carrying them with us. Crystals are a great way to stay grounded. This trip I brought a small citrine gemstone and shungite stone with me, which brings light and happiness and protects against negative energy. This practice might seem a little woo-woo, but I swear by it.

-Last but not least, I dab a bit of organic highlighter on the corner of my eyes and on my cheekbones before I head out of the house. This can last you all day and make you look wide awake. You’ll instantly look rested, young and ready to take on your day, even if you’re struggling to keep your eyes open.

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