Top 10 travel tips for avoiding pre-holiday tension  

 To help minimise the chance of PHT ruining your family holiday this year, Norfolkline teamed up with leading Psychologist Donna Dawson to launch their campaign for Families against Boring Holidays.

Turn over for her top ten tips to help reduce PHT and make sure the holiday is relaxing and enjoyable for all the family.

• Packing Made Easier – Make a packing list for each family member, and put clothes on the bed to see how outfits can be combined to save packing space. Leave an open suitcase in each person’s room a week before, so you can throw things in as you think of them. You can always weed things out at the final pack (this is much better than rushing around last minute which causes maximum stress!)
  
  
• Entertainment Packs for Children –  A few weeks before your trip, put together a small backpack for each child of things to entertain him/her that is relevant to their age-group: colouring books, paper, coloured pens and pencils, a small notebook or diary, reading books or comics, puzzles, card games, iPods with their favourite music etc. Tell the children that this is what they can dip into when they get bored!
  
  
• Be Prepared – Pack each child a lunchbox of their favourite foods the night before you travel (shop for these items a few days before, to save last-minute running around) – this way, if they get hungry at the wrong time or the restaurant/cafe doesn’t serve food that they like, you are covered and can easily avoid any temper tantrums!
  
  
• Take some Exercise – Don’t stay seated too long: get up, stretch your legs, walk around with the kids, and get some fresh air if possible. One of the major benefits of travelling by ferry is that you can do this! Exercise is the fastest way to get rid of physical and mental stress. Even if seated, roll your shoulders, neck, wrist, knee and ankle joints every so often to keep the blood flowing and to avoid stiffness.
  
  
• Musical Escape – Compile your favourite list of tunes to take on a portable music-player ; tunes that will work either to relax you or to distract you if you’re feeling wound up. Then play them through earphones at the most stressful times, such as when people around you are being noisy, etc. This works for the children too!
  
  
• More Mental Escapism - Bring along a book you’ve always wanted to read: A page-gripper or something light and trashy is far better than something deep and meaningful (Be honest with yourself - you know you won’t read it!). Let your brain take a holiday from anything too taxing, as well!
  
  
• Watch the alcohol – One large drink can certainly relax you, but try to stop there. Alcohol will work to dehydrate you, making you feel more tired and grumpy when you arrive at your destination - so aim to drink an equivalent glass of water for each alcoholic drink that you take.
  
  
• Interaction – If travelling by ferry, find a space where you can all sit together and play tried-and-tested family games such as “I Spy”, or alphabet games (where you start a story and the next person has to add something using the next letter of the alphabet). These not only work to distract and entertain family members, but they can also help to bond you all closer together.
  
  
• Deep Breaths – Take a few deep breaths just before you are about to shout, swear or lose your temper. It helps to slow you down and to think before you speak or act. The air at sea is as fresh as it gets, so go out on deck and deeply inhale on a slow count of five, and exhale on a slow count of five. You will feel relaxed in minutes!
  
  
• Keep your Sense of humour – Try and see the funny side of things. Laughter releases ‘feelgood’ chemicals in the brain, diminishing stress chemicals in the blood and boosting your immune system. Laughter truly is the best medicine, so sit down with the kids and find something to chuckle about!