Things I Take to the Airport That Just Make Sense as a Holistic Practitioner + Mom

Traveling with children already asks a lot of the nervous system.

Add crowded airports, recycled air, disrupted routines, fluorescent lighting, fast food, chemical exposure, rushing, and long travel days… and it becomes very clear why so many people feel completely depleted after flying.

For our family, I’ve learned that preparation changes everything.

Not from a place of fear.
Not from trying to control every outcome.

Just from paying attention to what helps the body be supported.

Over the years, these are the things I’ve found myself reaching for every single time we travel. Some are practical. Some are deeply nourishing. Some simply help me feel more grounded and at peace as a mom.

All of them make traveling feel gentler on our bodies, which ultimately means we ENJOY our trip more!

Child Safety Comes First

One of the biggest things that allows me to actually enjoy traveling with my children is creating layers of safety ahead of time.

I don’t believe in parenting from panic, but I do believe in wisdom.

We use a child harness with a lock that cannot be unclipped by little hands. It gives me peace of mind in busy airports where distractions happen quickly and crowds move fast.

I also keep a waterproof tracking tile pinned discreetly inside my children’s clothing. Most people would never know it’s there, but I know it gives us an extra layer of protection if we were ever separated. It works best in crowded places (like theme parks and airports) because it works by bouncing off of cell phones in the area. It's not perfect, but it's a great peace of mind and we've tested it several times with success.

And before every trip, we put on a simple bracelet with our phone number written clearly on it. We have done disposable wristbands with the number written in sharpie and beaded bracelets. Sometimes it goes on the wrist, sometimes the ankle depending on the child. Important to note, we do NOT put our child's name on them, nor on anything visible. We don't want a stranger to call them by name; that's a safety issue.

I know some families use temporary tattoos for this, but personally, we avoid them because of the ingredients. The bracelets have worked beautifully for us and the kids don’t mind wearing them.

Airport Bathrooms Are Not Where I Compromise

There are some places where I can be flexible while traveling.

Airport bathrooms are not one of them.

Between the chemical fragrances, harsh soaps, and the general level of exposure happening in those spaces, I’ve found that bringing a few simple things makes a massive difference.

One thing I never travel without now is waterproof disposable toilet covers.

Not the paper-thin kind that slide around and still leave your thighs touching cold germy butt cells of strangers (never thought of it that way, did you? You have now. You're welcome).

These fully extend over the sides and front of the toilet so skin never touches the surface, and they stay in place well enough for children too, with an optional sticky tab you can use to keep them in place.

These have honestly changed my life.

I also bring our own diluted soap in a travel spray bottle along with a clean hand sanitizer that doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance, phthalates, petrochemicals, dyes, or unnecessary irritants.

Our bodies already have enough to process while traveling, I'm not interested in adding another layer of burden where I can avoid it, especially for children whose systems are still developing.

Supporting the Body During Flights

A lot of people notice they feel inflamed, foggy, exhausted, or almost flu-like after flying, and they generally blame it on hydration.

Yes, dehydration plays a role.

But that's not the whole picture.

Airports and airplanes expose the body to an enormous amount of stress all at once: disrupted circadian rhythms, nervous system overload, poor air quality, EMFs, radiation exposure, noise, and constant stimulation.

Over time, I started paying attention to how different forms of support changed the way we felt after traveling.

Now we travel with multiple layers of support in place.

We use targeted antioxidant support before flights, along with specific essential oils rich in constituents like sesquiterpenes known to support cellular and DNA health and repair.

There’s also a mineral-based support tool we carry directly on the body while traveling. It passes through TSA easily and comes with us everywhere like this.

What I’ve noticed most is that when the body is supported well, recovery after travel feels very different.

Instead of crashing after we get there, we bounce of the plane ready to have fun!

Nourishment Makes Travel Easier

One thing I’ve happily let go of over the years is the idea that travel automatically means surviving on processed convenience food.

You can absolutely bring nourishing food with you bring along, and it changes everything for children especially.

We pack grain-free crackers, beef sticks, nuts, seeds, mineral support, and small nutrient-dense snacks that help stabilize blood sugar and energy throughout the day. Not everyone knows this, but you can bring food in your carry-on! Non-liquids are allowed in any quantity as long as it fits within your allowed space/carry-on bag. No need to pay $17 for half a stale GMO sandwich on the plane. Bring some goodies along with you. We even bring treats like dates, chocolate chips and (gasp!) organic lollipops.

I also bring TSA-friendly antioxidant drink packets that help fill nutritional gaps when options are limited. I've had 100% success bringing these in my "medications" bag which is not limited to quart size but is limited to 3 ounce items, and bringing them in my 3:1:1 bag as well.

Before boarding, everyone gets one; it has become part of our rhythm!

It really pays off during your flight and after to be supporting the body proactively instead of waiting until everyone feels terrible halfway through the trip.

Extra Immune Support

Travel days are one of the times I become even more intentional about immune support.

We use a nasal spray that has been a staple in our home since 2020 and continues to be one of the most effective things I’ve found for travel support. It keeps airways lubricated and clear, supporting nose breathing (important for oxygenation and germ protection) and prevents viral adhesion. It's a slam-dunk item I really wish everyone used.

We also use iodine around travel days to support the thyroid and immune system.

One drop the day we fly.
One drop the day after.

This is non negotiable and side note, we also do this at the dentist.

The Most Important Thing We Bring

Prayer.

Always prayer.

Before we leave the house.
Before boarding.
Before takeoff.

ON the plane....

Praying constantly.

There’s a peace that settles over the body when the nervous system feels safe, held, and regulated.

Science continues catching up to what Scripture has taught all along: peace changes the body; there are lots of studies on the positive effects of prayer on the brain, nervous system, and immune system.

The body functions differently when it is not operating from fear.

Immune function changes.
Stress hormones change.
Inflammation changes.

I’ve seen over and over again that some of the healthiest things we can do for our families are often the simplest.

Prepare wisely.
Support the body gently.
Stay grounded in peace.

And trust God with it ALL.

Our faith isn't in the items; it's in the one from Whom all blessings flow!

Be led in peace, do what makes sense to you, and have a great flight!

Save this for your next travel day and send it to a friend who’s getting ready for summer trips!