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There are a lot of different things I could live without when I travel, but I don't want to. Here are the essential travel products I use on the road.
- Sleep headphones. Hotels are noisy. Toilets flushing, people talking loudly in the halls. I can't handle the noise, and earplugs annoy me. I discovered AcousticSheep SleepPhones* years ago and LOVE THEM. I recently upgraded from my corded Classic sleepphones to the Simple and then again to the Effortless. This way, I can use them for running as well. Click here for the review for the Classic version. Click here for the review for Simple. Click here for the review for Effortless.
- Sleep Mask. Any light can disrupt sleep. The photoreceptors on our skin can detect light in our room, and pure darkness puts us in the best state. Since hotel curtains never fully shut and light comes in from under the door, I wear a sleep mask. My mask of choice is the super affordable Wild Essentials Contoured Eye Mask (buy on amazon*). It doesn't lay flat on your face (it's a bra for your eyes!), is adjustable, and lightweight. Click here for the review.
- Meditation app. Calm.com has hundreds of meditations, sleep stories, music tracks, and masterclasses. I have an anxiety issue when I can't sit on the aisle. It's a little ridiculous, but also serious. I'm not just being a diva. They have several offline meditations just for plane anxiety. I use this to keep me calm (no pun intended!).
- Travel chopsticks. I eat with chopsticks as often as possible at home because it slows me down and makes me feel fancy. For travel, I use the Titaner Titanium Foldable Chopsticks. I pull these out to avoid plasticware or picking things up with my hands on the plane.
- Cleaning wipes. Any kind will do. Pre-COVID people would snicker at me when I would wipe down the plane seat and lap tray (did you know they only cleaned those things once daily, if at all?). Now it's not so funny. Don't forget yours!
- e-Reader. I don't go anywhere without my Kindle Paperwhite. I like the Paperwhite because it's easier on the eyes and terrible to use online, so I don't get tempted. If I had to get a new one, I would pick the Oasis model because it's waterproof and offers an amber lighting option to reduce eye strain.
- Portable standing desk. There are many affordable, lightweight versions of portable standing desks. I've been using the StandStand bamboo model for over five years and wrote most of Beyond Travel: A Road Warrior's Survival Guide on the desk while on the road or at a state park!
- Travel charger. I like the Belkin 3-outlet USB travel charger. Even when my husband and I are traveling together, it's easy for us to both charge our devices. I also use it in airports when there isn't a USB port available.
There you have it. Items I can't live without when I travel. What can you not live without when you hit the road?
*Indicates an affiliate link where I make a few coins at no extra cost to you.
