Travel Destinations & Culinary Adventures

happiness

How to Make the Most of Your Airport Layover

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It’s happened to all of us. We’ve had a long layover at an airport, and we could do nothing about it but sit it out. Your layover doesn’t have to be boring.

I’ve spent hours stuck in Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and other airports long enough to know that if you follow these recommendations, your time will fly by. In the meantime, enjoy yourself.

Photo by Oleksandr P.

VISIT THE DUTY-FREE STORE

Let’s be clear. I’m not suggesting you spend a ton of money at the duty-free store. Instead, try on a new fragrance, volunteer for a make-up demonstration, or men’s facial or try a sample of the gourmet chocolates they’re peddling. When you exit the store, you’ll feel refreshed and smell divine.

SHOP THE BOOKSTORE

Some bookstores are larger than others, depending on the airport you’re visiting, but even the tiniest convenience store has entire shelves filled with reading material. I’ve spent up to 30 minutes or more just flipping through magazines and reading the latest headlines. Even better, purchase reading material to take back to your gate.

Airplane
Photo by Tanathip Rattanatum

EAT LOCAL FOOD YOU’VE NEVER TRIED

You know the old saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Stuck in New Orleans? Try crawfish. Spending hours in Chicago? Dine on a hotdog with a cold local beer to wash it down. Waiting in Atlanta? Eat the fried chicken.

TAKE IN THE ARTWORK

Even the crummiest airports make an effort to put up wall displays of local artists’ work or historical timelines. I appreciate learning about Detroit’s water fountains or Wichita’s aviation history.

Airport Layover
Photo by Jeshoots

PEOPLE WATCHING

Instead of just sitting at your gate seat mindlessly watching people as they pass, consider imagining their lives. Who are these people? Where might they be going? Why might they be acting that way? Imagine their stories.

Take it to another level and play this “game” with someone you’re stuck at an airport with, and you’ll find they’ve concocted a different story for each person.

CHEER UP CHALLENGE

Tired of sitting? Take a stroll through the airport’s major traffic areas with one goal – smile at strangers. I coined the name of this activity after a layover in Chicago at Christmas time. I began to notice that people were stuck in their thoughts, and their faces showed their emotions. They were stressed, bored, or rushed.

The activity aims to smile at a stranger when you make eye contact. If they smile back, that’s one point for you (and a warm fuzzy for them). If they don’t smile back, at least someone smiled at them. A total win-win.

Photo by Connecting Flights Guide

USE YOUR AIRLINE CLUB PASS

If you have an airline club pass burning a hole in your pocket, use it. Even if you only have an hour or two to spend in the VIP Lounge, it’s worth it. Enjoy the complimentary food, and drinks (grab a wine glass or beer!) and relax in plush chairs while you recharge your batteries….literally.

GET YOUR EXERCISE

After hours of sitting on a plane and at your gate, get your blood flowing by taking a long walk through the airport. Of course, you may have to wheel your carry-on bag behind you. Commit to walking the entire length of the concourse and back without using the moving sidewalk because we all know that’s cheating.

MAKE A FRIEND

Not everyone is feeling cranky while at the airport. I’ve met perfectly nice people from my hometown while sitting in airports in other states. See someone who needs to charge their phone and is looking for a station? Move over a seat and offer the charging portal next to you. Be nice. You’ll make an instant friend. It’s that simple.

5 Ways I Spoil Myself + Self-Care Tips for You

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Sometimes you have to put yourself first.

Pampering yourself is necessary to regain perspective, to boost your confidence, and to hit the reset button now and then. If that means that you spoil yourself by splurging on a night out with friends or restocking your closet with a new wardrobe, then by all means – celebrate you!

I used to do nice things for myself only when I thought I deserved it. For example, if I passed a major college exam or got a raise at work, I would convince myself I had “earned” the right to do spoil myself. As I matured, I realized that self-preservation doesn’t mean I have to justify buying a new spring wardrobe or a vacation somewhere. Giving back to yourself is a part of self-care.

Is it time for you to pay it forward to yourself?

I bet you’re like me in that you give so much of yourself to work, family, and your household that you seldom give thought to yourself and how you’re feeling. Time constraints keep so many of us from giving back to ourselves. Check out 5 Ways I Spoil Myself below and I’ll bet you discover at least one way you to pamper yourself without spending a ton of time doing it!

  1. Birthday Meal. I always treat myself to a delicious lunch at one of my favorite restaurants on my birthday. Even if I have to dine alone, because all of my favorite people are stuck at work, I’ll dine on my city’s best nachos, fattoush salad, or pizza. In my twenties, I once filled an entire table at The Mad Greek in Lawrence, Kansas with a spread of Mediterranean  favorites including a cocktail on my birthday! Why? Because I was celebrating me!
  2. StitchFix. Life is too short for me to spend another minute hating myself for having to cut through crowds at the mall to find staple clothing items. Enter clothing delivery to my door! Every month I receive my “fix” in the mail that includes five clothing or accessories to add to my closet. I’m like a kid on Christmas when the green and white box arrives with hand-selected items from my personal stylist. If I don’t like something, I simply mail it back. It’s great!
  3. Hair Color. The first time I had an Aveda stylist color my hair and give me a scalp massage at the shampoo bowl, I was hooked. I didn’t need to spend another minute contemplating hair color options in the drugstore aisle. Now my trusted stylist colors my hair and you can see the difference. The cost of paying a professional to color my hair leaves it feeling soft and looking healthy.
  4. Flowers. Ain’t nobody got time to wait for someone else to buy them flowers! Buy them for yourself! Every month I purchase a bouquet of marked down flowers to add to our home. It makes me happy to see bright colors across the room and that level happiness is worth $5 any day.Gift Yourself Flowers to Boost Your Mood
  5. Gourmet Food. You know me, I love yummy food. So it’s no surprise that I would spoil myself by throwing some fancy cheese or a few expensive condiments into my shopping cart. Why deny yourself sushi or fresh mozzarella? Just buy it every once in a while and relish in the satisfaction of your purchase while you devour it!

You deserve to walk around in this world a happier person even if it means going the extra mile to spoil yourself. I’m not suggesting you waste your next paycheck on all of your favorite things in the name of “self-care.” Instead, select one or two activities that bring you joy and add them into your life on a regular basis.

You’ll feel more delightful overall.

Self-Care Tips for Your Day