Now, flights are not my ultimate favorite mode of transportation. I love airports, but I hate waiting. I can’t stand airplane food, and I especially cannot handle sitting down for hours at a time! I mean, duh, I work 7-3 every single day, but it’s not like I don’t hop at every chance I get to walk around the hospital and so forth. And oh, I can’t stand the middle seat.

Don’t get me wrong though, it’s not like I’m just relying on everyone else to do this for me. I’m just Queen of Procrastination and a fan of last minute packing! Lately though, I’ve been trying to make subliminal changes here and there. I started traveling alone just this year, so I think being alone pretty much “inspired” me to be more attentive and meticulous about traveling details.

This year alone, I have traveled domestically quite a bit from Boston to DC to Seattle, so these few short duration flights have slowly allowed me to progress on my journey to becoming a pro-wanderlust. While I still have that bad habit of deciding what to wear to the airport the morning of, I’m a little bit more prepared now when it comes to on-the-go travel essentials in my backpack. Here are some of my travel must-haves –

1. FOOD

Okay, maybe it’s just me and my love for food, but I absolutely have to have airplane-friendly snacks with me. I think I’ve made it quite apparent that I am not a huge fan of airplane food. I mean, I’ll settle for nuts and juice if need be, but why settle when you can bring your own? Whether it’s a two-hour or five-hour flight, snacking on your favorites can easily alleviate hunger and satisfy anyone’s ravenous appetite. Some of my favorite snacks include: FitJoy, Go Raw, and dang. And of course, you can’t go wrong with some vinegar-inspired Suja juice! Bringing your own snacks also gives you full control of what you’re consuming. Traveling doesn’t have to mean changing up your health routine, so having these snacks readily accessible prevents you from splurging on unhealthy eats!

2. MEDICATIONS/OILS

Alright, that elevated really quickly. Fun fact about me: I throw up on every single flight (HA!). It’s pretty embarrassing, but I’ve learned to master it so well that I actually KNOW when it’s about to happen so I usually opt for a paper bag to do the deed. Now, I don’t have to embarrass myself any more than I have to with the help of my over-the-counter best friend. Dramamine has helped me out in so many ways from boats to airplanes. I’m also a huge fan of oils. Lavender serves as a sleeping aid whereas something tangy and citrus-y helps with digestion.

3. WATER BOTTLE

I don’t know about you, but I cannot go ANYWHERE without my water bottle. Even for something as short as a drive to the grocery store, I keep my bottle with me at all times. Maybe it’s a comfort thing, I don’t know, but I love having water so close to me. I usually bring an EMPTY bottle upon check-in since TSA makes you throw liquid content out, but you’re able to refill it at any water station inside. I’m leaning towards investing in a stainless steel bottle mainly for insulation, but any type of bottle will suffice.

Plus, having water easily accessible is great for mixing vitamin or protein packets, another refueling option! I usually bring these Quest protein packets, but you can bring really anything. I also recently found out about Liquid I.V., a hydration mix that has tons of vitamin C and helps improve immune function.I haven’t had a chance to travel with it yet, but even just having it at work or when I do errands is satisfying enough. The best part? They also give back to those in need (YAASSS!).

4. ENTERTAINMENT

I love my Beats by Dre. I use it at the gym, when I travel, etc. I’m not the kind of girl to have headphones in when I am walking and such because I like to stay conscious of my surroundings. What I do though, I usually just use my headphones when I’m sitting down waiting for the gate to open or when I’m on the flight trying to watch a movie (I usually end up watching NCIS or The Food Network because a) I love this show/channel and b) you have to pay for movies LOLOL). I also love to have some podcasts lined up for me to catch up on. You can read some of my favorites here.

eBooks/iBooks are also another huge staple of mine. I’m always up for motivational reads, and lately, I’ve been reading up on blogging. One of my favorites right now is by Abby Lawson called “Building a Framework”. It covers everything from the basics (hosting, domain) to photography and newsletter tips, just to name a few topics! If you’re new to blogging like I am, this book is definitely a must-have! (See sidebar for more details!)

5. BLANKET

You can always ask the flight attendant for one, but I love my blanket from PINK. There is something comforting about bringing your own blanket (and of course, pillow!).

These are just a few of my favorite traveling essentials. I also love wearing leggings, a zip-up hoodie, and sneakers for layers and comfort. This outfit also makes it super easy for anyone to stretch and/or do some airplane yoga (LOL). I’m not a yogi just yet, but once I learn a few poses, I’ll be sure to incorporate that to my stretching routine miles up high and will be sure to share my awkwardness on Instagram! Haha, until then, happy wanderlusting my loves! Let me know what are some of your favorites down below 🙂 And if you enjoyed reading my post, don’t forget to Pin It and share!