10 Ways to De-Stress at the Airport

Exercise

Exercise is not only a great stress reducer but it's also your chance to stretch and get blood pumping before wedging yourself into a tiny airplane seat. Options abound for all fitness levels. Find paths designed for power walking at Cleveland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, or Indianapolis. Practice your asanas in yoga rooms at San Francisco International, Dallas-Ft. Worth International, or Burlington International. Or get a gym day pass at an airport hotel, such as The Fairmont Vancouver Airport or the Grand Hyatt at Dallas/Ft. Worth. Even in airports without designated facilities you can take a concourse hike or find a quiet departure gate for some stretching.

Rock Your Worries Away

Airports around the country are embracing a front-porch mentality, offering rows of rocking chairs for passengers looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous Eames tandem sling seats in boarding areas. Have a leisurely rock at Boston Logan, Charlotte Douglas, Philadelphia, Seattle-Tacoma, or one of the many other airports that understand the value of a well-placed rocker.

Even at airports without rockers, comfortable chairs are becoming more common. Often grouped in threes or fours, they're sometimes strategically placed near outlets so that people can relax while charging a gadget or two. Recently, we've noticed leather, wingback, and upholstered accent chairs spicing up airport concourses. Of course, they're almost always occupied, so if you see an open spot and you're looking to relax, take the opportunity while you've got it.

Buy a Lounge Day Pass

Comfortable chairs and soothing music, plus free snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi: This is the siren song of the airport lounge. While annual passes to airline and airport lounges tend to be pricey, a day pass can be a worthwhile expense, especially if you've got a long wait or simply want a quiet place to relax before your flight. As an added stress buster, airline-affiliated lounges usually staff a desk where you can make flight changes without needing to stand in a long line at a customer-service counter. Find out everything you need to know about using airport lounge clubs here.

Treat Yourself

Airport spas offer everything from simple chair massages to mani-pedi combos and even haircuts, waxing, and facials. Find XpressSpa at 17 U.S. airports, Massage Bar shops at eight airports, and :10 Minute Manicure shops at Miami International, Washington Dulles, New York (JFK), and Toronto Pearson. In addition to these chains, many airports have outposts of local or independent spas.

Take a Nap

There's nothing quite as rejuvenating as a quick nap, but airport terminals and their constant loudspeaker announcements, crying babies, and dearth of reclining surfaces seriously discourage nodding off. But you've still got options. Relaxation rooms and in-terminal short-stay hotels offer private sleep (or work) rooms available in increments ranging from minutes to hours. Minute Suites at Philadelphia International, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, and Dallas-Ft. Worth offer comfortable sofas, pillows, fresh blankets, and a sound-masking system to create peaceful nap environments.

Around the world, the trend in post-security sleep continues to grow, with options such as Yotel hotel pods at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports and at Amsterdam Schiphol. And if you're looking for a free sleep option, consult The Guide to Sleeping in Airports website, which ranks airports and offers sleep tips.

Catch Some Live Music

Many airports offer piped-in music, but a few stand out as legitimate live-music venues. Passengers can let their hair down at one of JetBlue's Live from T5 concerts at JFK in New York. Austin-Bergstrom's Music in the Air program schedules live music at several venues in the airport Monday through Friday. At Sea-Tac, regularly scheduled live music is part of a cooperative effort to showcase the region's music culture. Nashville International even posts its live-music schedule squarely on its homepage, alongside parking and airline information.

Sit Down for a Meal and a Drink

Forget standing in line to order, or slamming a whiskey on the rocks at a depressing airport bar. Mark the beginning (or honor the end) of a vacation with a glass of wine, an appetizer, or a full meal at one of the increasing number of reasonably good sit-down restaurant options in airports. Browse a menu, eat with proper cutlery, and linger over a meal instead of wolfing down a sandwich balanced on your lap at the gate. To find a civilized option, check the airport's website, browse an airport app, or consult an airport map. Some airport restaurants even have Zagat or Yelp reviews, which can help you get a sense of what you're getting into before you sit down. Looking for a bit of pre-trip inspiration? Check out these best airport restaurant roundups from us, CNN.com, Food & Wine, and Travel Channel.

Do Something Totally Different

Sometimes, the best way to de-stress at the airport is to do something totally unrelated to travel. And many airports are happy to help. Volunteers at Los Angeles International, Miami International, and San Jose International roam the terminals with friendly therapy dogs ready to snuggle and charm passengers. At half a dozen airports around the country, you can download movies and television shows from Digiboo kiosks. And around the world, airports offer surprisingly fun attractions, including giant slides, museums, and even golf courses.

Find a Serene Spot

Often overlooked by passengers, airport prayer and meditation rooms can be a great spot to unwind regardless of your spiritual orientation. The spaces tend to be peaceful, quiet, and minimally trafficked, which makes them perfect for anyone looking for a moment or two of quiet reflection. Many airports have some kind of interfaith chapel, prayer room, or meditation space. But since they're frequently tucked away, you're unlikely to find one unless you look for it on a map or directory.

Watch Reunions

There's nothing like witnessing joyful reunions to bring down the blood pressure and restore of bit of your faith in humanity. If you've got time, linger at a terminal meeting point and watch weary travelers reunite with loved ones. International terminals are particularly good for this, since visits from abroad tend to be long-anticipated events that draw entire families or large groups of friends together. For a dose of airport-reunion joy right now, check out this video.

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