Traveling can be a stressful situation for a lot of people and it’s not surprising when tensions run high when good communication isn’t practiced.

Lisa Mitchell, Communications Expert & Founder of Power Body Language, shares a few tips to help you communicate better while traveling so the process is less painful and more enjoyable for everyone.

1) Be Nice
The number one communication rule, especially when traveling, is to just be nice. It seems simple but when flights are delayed or plans don’t got as expected, and you start getting tired and annoyed it’s easy to start taking it out on the employees, fellow passengers, and even those you are traveling with and normally like. Being nice is a decision that you have the power to make in those moments. Don’t be a jerk.
2) Control what you can control.
If you know that you get cranky when you’re hungry, pack your own snacks so you aren’t left waiting for cabin service that may never come. Do you need to look out the window to avoid getting motion sickness? Pay extra to reserve your window seat ahead of time. Do you get anxious when you don’t have a lot of time to make your connecting flights? Pick flight plans that give you plenty of time between arrival and departure to take your time and relax getting to your gate. Being clear about what you need, communicating clearly about those needs, and planning to avoid as many triggers and as much stress as possible will make travel more enjoyable for you and those around you.
3) Communicate respectfully, even when you’re frustrated
Chances are if you’re experiencing something uncomfortable or annoying while traveling, you aren’t the only one who’s not thrilled about the present circumstances. If you need to interact with another passenger, flight staff, or airport personnel in an attempt to remedy your current situation, addressing them in a respectful way will go a lot further than making a direct demand, showing aggressive non verbal behavior, or speaking with a raised voice or with name calling or cursing. It doesn’t take much for a situation in a confined environment to escalate quickly in a very negative way so keeping respectful behavior a priority is key to maintaining an environment of effectiveness and cooperation.

Visit www.powerbodylanguage.com or connect on Instagram at @lisamitchellindy