It feels a little strange to write about how to pack for travel, since most Americans can’t go anywhere because of international travel limits (and COVID-19) right now, but my husband and I are preparing for a little road trip that will take us from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Jackson Hole to the coolest dude ranch ever, the Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming.

I’ve been a traveler since age 3. It was a long goodbye to California then bright wide eyes in Paris. My parents worked for the government and we were a young family, so we traveled. That first voyage was one of many trips that would leave an indelible mark on how to go places.

There are lots of stories I will tell you about traveling, but the most practical one is about my mother's two genius packing tips.

When we traveled from one country to another, my mother only brought one case for each of us. She was extremely organized, and always took great pride in bringing essentials. She knew we could always buy what we wanted at our destination, and if it wasn’t exactly what we were used to, we would adapt. No questions, we were traveling and it was an adventure! She had no qualms about leaving things behind, and only began to acquire things, big things (such as furniture and rugs) when she realized our family travels were going to be really interesting.

And that’s her second tip - when my parents began to travel on a more generous budget, with a little more money - she shipped everything home or to the next destination. I know that sounds crazy, but when you’re going from one country to another (Spain to Switzerland to Japan) on one trip, with small children, who wants to lug things things that aren’t appropriate? It’s how she acquired some awesome souvenirs.

As a mother and a business woman today, my travels are just as far and wide as those with my parents. But my packing style has changed. I carry a generous backpack (or a carry on rollaway) and a large handbag for the essential grooming things. These two bags carry my survival go-to for everything from cocktails to beach runs and museum day trips. If you track our social media, you’ll see that not a week goes by without me finding my derrière on a plane, or on a road trip. Yes, it’s fun, and yes, it’s purpose-driven, and yes, it can sometimes feel glamorous; but, travelling (for work or pleasure) comes with its own set of complications.

I believe in sensible travel and my foremost issue is self-care. It’s easy to run yourself ragged, hopping from one locale to another, sometimes feeling homesick, and other times just feeling plain-old sick (tummy, head cold, you name it). Here are some great tips I picked up along the way that keep me feeling healthy and sane when I’m travelling.

Wipe it Down

I’m not really a germophobe, but when I get on a plane, I’m like Naomi (or Nicole) and always use have a little bottle of hand sanitizer and antibacterial hand wipes (or a travel sanitizer spray) to wipe it all down: that includes the little TV, the service tray, and all the buttons around my seat. Sure, the person next to you may give you a side-eye, but at the end of the flight, you’ll be the one whistling dixie with nary a sniffle. And, oh, let’s just give Naomi Campbell a shout-out for being so ahead of the times…!

Just a Dab Will Do Ya

A friend of mine told me that Leonardo DiCaprio gave her an excellent travel tip. I know – I could have written an entire post on that conversation alone. What is it, you ask? Evidently, he said, to avoid getting sick on planes, he puts a little Neosporin on a cotton swab and coats the inside of his nostrils. Not only does it create a barrier for germs, it lubricates the skin in the nose. That’s important because when the skin cracks, germs can come a-running in, so the coating of the Neosporin doubly protects you. Genius! Now before you start calling TMZ, I cannot say 100% that Leo said this, but my friend is a really good source, and regardless, it’s a great tip. Try it!

Pack a Portable Hug

I never travel without a scarf or thin cashmere blanket that feels like a hug. Throw it in your purse, around your neck, or in your backpack, and no matter how far you travel, you will always feel comforted both on and off the plane with something that feels and smells like home. I saw a grown man in a business blue suit do this on the TGV from Paris to Marseille, and it has become invaluable to me when catching some Zzzzzs on a flight or feeling swaddled in a hotel room.

Go Pro

Nope, not the little video camera that I can’t quite figure out – I mean gooooo pro…biotics! Always travel with a high strain probiotic, and hydrate like you’re dying of thirst – because even if you’re not, for your body – the thirst is real. This dynamic duo of probiotics and water will keep your gut health in check and honestly stave off jet lag if you’re globetrotting on your travails (work). If I’m going someplace where the altitude is real, say, Denver, Mexico City, Bern, Caracas, Madrid, Athens, Vienna, or Prague, then I’m all about keeping my electrolytes in balance, a critical component in high-country to help combat altitude sickness and nausea. Electrolytes aren't just salt. They are the things we sweat out, comprised of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, and Hydrogen phosphate. And, my go-to for these little devils are Nuun tablets that I plop in a tall glass of water and chug.

Be an Efficiency Expert

Check your flight schedule before you go, make sure you check-in online, give yourself enough time to get to the airport – blah, blah, blah – those are all the things your mom tells you, so I certainly don’t need to. BUT, what I have learned is that having a perfect travel folio, or the most efficient piece of carry-on luggage (though this one is my fave, it’s a definite splurge – be just as efficient and chic with this one, too!) that makes you feel like a frequent flier, things will speed along so you can avoid less airport hiccups and can focus on the vacate part of the vacation, and relax...

Keep it Fresh

• layer dryer sheets in between clothes to keep them smelling fresh

• no matter your destination always bringing tea-tree oil for bites, cuts, and pimples

Let Your Tummy Keep Time

My husband swears by resetting his circadian clock to the time zone of wherever we are and sleeping like a local. I’ve also heard that if you eat on the schedule of wherever you’ve landed, you won’t feel jet-lagged. Honestly, my husband’s plan doesn’t work too well for me, but the eating schedule does. It’s funny, but it’s your stomach that tells your brain when it’s feeling wonky. By simply eating a meal at the time the locals are when you land, you trick your brain a little and stay much more on track, and much less cranky. Images via: Piknik, Instagram