Hone Stress To Improve Your Travels
April 17, 2009 by Anil P.
Filed under Advice, Health and Fitness
Focus the stress that traveling can introduce into your life and turn it into a way to make your travels even better. Stress from being stuck at the airport, baggage fees, or not knowing the local language can not only age you quickly but also kill the fun no matter where you are.
Rather that letting these stresses throw you off (like making some rather confusing spelling mistakes) use the natural energy stress provides to improve your travels – which will reduce your stress at the same time.
Walk It Off
Traveling, ironically, involves a lot of sitting on your butt. Stress raises your blood pressure, leading to headaches that can be relieved with a simple walk down an airplane isle, around the block, or a swim in the hotel pool. To motivate yourself to get up, don’t just wander around aimlessly – set yourself a goal. Perhaps a distance (like the other end of an airport), a number of times up and down the train aisle, or the pub around the corner (my personal favorite).
- Walking is one of 3 fun things to do at the airport if you’ve got some extra time.
- Walking can help reduce your travelers constipation.
- Walking is one of the ways to prevent the development of blood clots in your legs that are caused by sitting for prolonged periods.
Focus Your Ideas
Stress gets our minds going, except that it usually fills it up with junk. Using just a tiny amount of will power you can use this mental burst to thunderstorm some ideas on where to go, some places to add to your itinerary, or just be spontaneous and harmonize with your busy schedule.
Post Highlights: [4/17/2009]
Post Highlights are a selection of the best and most popular posts from the past two weeks updated every other Saturday. Another great way to get the best of foXnoMad is to subscribe to my RSS feed (what is RSS?).
Good Alternatives to Hotels and Hostels
Fortunately there are a number of good of hotel and hostel alternatives to consider if you’re looking to save on a family trip, or crash on somebody’s couch for free.
Despite its turmoiled past with the West, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s recent strides to end his nation’s isolation make it a unique place to visit.
3 Simple Ways to Protect Your Credit Card When Booking Travel Arrangements Online
Using a number of free services and some ingenuity you can protect your personal information and keep your credit card number safe – without even giving it away when making online travel arrangements.
Southwest’s Rapping Flight Attendant
Check out Dave’s rap about 52 second into the video.
Southwest’s Rapping Flight Attendant
April 16, 2009 by Anil P.
Filed under Pictures and Video
I’ve seen a few creative pre-flight announcements on some JetBlue flights, but this guy on Southwest Airlines is the best so far. Check out Dave’s rap about 52 second into the video.
I like the creativity, especially as airlines continue to raise rates and reduce service. In case you’re not on Dave’s flight, here are 3 other ways to reduce your stress before and after a flight.
3 Simple Ways To Protect Your Credit Card When Booking Travel Arrangements Online
Booking flights, hotel reservations, and other travel arrangements online is generally a safe procedure. While most of the major booking websites, like Kayak and Orbitz take care to encrypt your credit card and other personal information when you book, there are a number of ways your credit card number can be misused after you click ‘Ok’.
Fortunately, using a number of free services and some ingenuity you can protect your personal information and keep your credit card number safe – without even giving it away when making online travel arrangements.
First, the Basics
Before you read further, if you’re not familiar with some basic online security tips, I’ve written some posts in the past to help you get started to browsing and booking safely online.
- Use your own computer or laptop if you can, but if you must use and Internet cafe, make sure you keep your online accounts safe.
- As Max recommends, check to see if the website you’re booking through uses a secure channel before booking. Look for the url to begin with httpS. (Almost all of the major booking companies do.)
- Avoid wireless connections and never use computer-to-computer networks. Hack your own wi-fi and use HotSpot Shield with Tor to protect your browsing.
3 Simple Steps
Now that you’re caught up with the basics, here are 3 simple ways to protect your credit card when booking that next flight.
1. Use A One-Time Credit Card Number – Most times your credit card number is safest online. It’s when that number gets sent to hotel staff, travel agents, or other agencies that it’s handled inappropriately – like being written down, as Darren notes . Many credit card companies, and Paypal, offer one-time-use credit card numbers that are only valid for a single online transaction and protect you from fraud. Give them a call to find out if the option is available to you or switch to bank that offers it.
- Here are some links to more information about one-time credit card number offerings.
