I enjoy traveling, but it isn’t without its challenges as an HSP. Here are a list of the essentials (and, well, not-so-essentials) that will help make your trip much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Sleep Mask: Block out any offending light sources when you are trying to get some precious sleep. Recommended: Bucky 40 Blinks Ultralight Sleep Mask. The Rolls Royce of eyeshades, its contoured cups conform to fit comfortably on most faces and it doesn’t put pressure on the eyes, allowing the wearer to blink freely in the delicious darkness.
Ear plugs: Crying babies? Loud teenagers? The tick…tick…tick…of an annoying clock? None of it matters when you’ve got a pair of these foam wonders.
Travel fan: Remember that 5-hour bus in 90 degree weather with no air conditioning, no open windows, and no air movement whatsoever? I do. Or how about the overnight train where the air was so stifling you felt like you couldn’t breathe? I still have nightmares about it. And I wish I had one of these little guys with me. Recommended: Travelon 3-Speed Folding Fan. This battery-operated fan can be hung around the user’s neck or placed on a table or flat surface. It’s great for travel in hot countries without A/C. (See my HSP travel tips here.)
Good Sunglasses: Get a good pair with 98-100% UV protection. Those without UV protection will relax your pupils, letting damaging radiation hit your retina. Consider the wrap-around kind that cover more of your face. I like Sunclouds as they are polarized, inexpensive, yet nice-looking shades.
A hat: It’s freaking bright outside, and you don’t want skin cancer, do you?
Neck cooler: This ridiculous looking thing should only be used in dire situations when you don’t care if you look like a dork (which is all the time, for me). Soak it in water overnight, and the next morning, you’ve got a squishy neck ornament that stays cool all day. It feels kind of amazing when you are climbing into Egyptian tombs or exploring Angkor Wat. Recommended: Neck cooling “Kafka Tie” from REI. (Or, make your own, or buy on Amazon.)
Once you’ve got the highly sensitive person travel survival kit, you will be stylin’ in comfort!
Don’t miss our list of travel tips for highly sensitive people.
So awesome!! When I saw these photos, I just laughed out loud. I’ve been using these things since college–my best friend used to say it looked like I was going into battle every time I went to take a nap…! I thought I was the only one who did this kind of stuff! Thanks for the great blog.
My daughter and I are both HSP. We both travel with our pillows. We pack our tempurpedic pillows in our suitcases and our feather pillows in carryon backpacks. Neither of us can sleep well without the right pillows. For my 21 year old daughter, sleeping in any bed other than her own is a serious challenge, so having the right pillows and her own pillowcases at least helps with that.
I know it may sound crazy to a lot of people, but for other HSPs who have trouble sleeping while on vacation, if you haven’t thought of it, next time, leave extra room for your pillows 🙂
Hi Kathy, your comment comes at such an appropriate time! I just returned for a vacation in Mexico and had some of those thoughts. Having an uncomfortable bed seems like nothing to some people, but is anxiety-producing to others. The last two days on our trip, I had to share a super small bed with my husband and felt like I couldn’t move an inch all night…I couldn’t want to get out of that room! Thanks for your comment. 🙂