There’s nothing quite like the excitement of travel. Whether it’s flying off on a much-needed vacation or visiting relatives for a family reunion, travel is a chance to restore our spirit and rejuvenate our minds. However, sometimes the process of getting to our destination puts a sour note on the entire travel experience. Air travel, in particular, can be exhausting and uncomfortable for everyone, especially those with medical concerns such as diabetes. With this in mind, we’ve put together some of our top tips for making traveling more comfortable and enjoyable:

Grab some earplugs

Chatty neighbors and screaming babies are a real nuisance if you’re planning to nap or read on the airplane. While there are plenty of fancy and expensive noise-canceling headphones on the market, those cheap foam earplugs are truly the most comfortable and effective tool for a peaceful flight. Don’t forget to buy them before you get to the airport, or you might end up paying significantly more than you would at your local drugstore.

Pack your own snacks

Airline food is far from gourmet, and often times the portions are so small they leave you feeling hungrier than before you ate. Instead of relying on tiny bags of pretzels to fill you up on your flight, pack your own snacks! Avoid greasy snacks such as chips as they often leave you feeling lethargic and offer little nutritional value. Baby carrots, sliced bell peppers, apples, and other fruits and vegetables can all be carried on to the plane for mid-flight consumption. You can even prepare a healthy trail mix recipe such as this one before you travel for a healthy pick-me-up.

Slip on some compression socks

After a few hours in a cramped airplane, our legs start to feel the effects. While a quick walk up and down the aisle to stretch out your legs may sound wonderful, it isn’t always a possibility when the fasten seatbelt sign remains on most of the flight. In these situations, compression socks can be a huge help. Circulatory socks help to relieve fatigue and swelling while sitting for hours on a plane and leave your feet feeling more energized once you land.

Stay hydrated

Hydration is always important, and travel is no exception. In fact, the air inside airplane cabins is typically extremely dry. Before you take off, grab a water bottle from a nearby food stand. Or, you can carry your own empty water bottle through security and fill it up at a water fountain once you get to your gate. While on the flight, keep it simple and ask for water when the flight attendants come around offering free coffee or soda. Those other beverages will only dehydrate your body more and contribute to the feelings of discomfort that come with air travel.

Bring some toiletries for layovers

Even after following all of the tips above, it’s normal to feel a little frazzled and tired when we exit the plane. To shake these feelings before arriving at your final destination, pack a small bag of toiletries in your carry-on. Between flights or while waiting for your baggage, pop into the nearest bathroom to freshen up. Brush your teeth, reapply deodorant, splash some water on your face and even change into fresh clothes. You’ll walk out feeling like a new person and much more prepared to kick off your vacation on a positive note.

What are your tips for staying comfortable when traveling? Share them with us below or let us know on our Facebook page!