If you’re a highly sensitive, intuitive person, you might find air travel to be a bit of a challenge. So many people packed into a small airplane and all the strong emotions from nervous flyers and excited vacationers can drain your energy ‘till you’re running on empty. Then there are the hotels. Housekeeping can wash the sheets and vacuum the carpets, but the residual emotions for past occupants still linger. For years, I’d get sick every time I traveled until I figured out some techniques for protecting my energy while I’m on the road.

This year, after a rejuvenating summer at home I checked my calendar and realized it was packed. I’d be crisscrossing the continent hosting events from Canada to Seattle; from Texas to New York. I had mixed emotions! I was excited to get out and see my students and spread the word that death is an illusion, but my highly sensitive side said: “Yikes, that’s a LOT of time in airplanes and hotels!”

I knew I had to put all of my energy shielding practices to use to protect my mind, body, and soul, so I could be my very best for the people attending my events.

Here’s how I’m going to keep myself safe, secure and protected over the next ten days.

• • Start with planning. When I put together the itinerary for a trip, I make sure to schedule some downtime. Having to rush from one place to another is tolerable if I know I have a day of self-care coming up, or even a few free hours to walk in the forest or visit old friends. You can do this at home too. If you know your week is full of activities, or your day will be packed with meetings, consciously schedule some quiet time to recharge. And write it in pen! When you’re a sensitive soul, self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
  • Shield your body AND your soul. Bring headphones and an eye mask to block out noise and light when you travel. Just as important, before you set foot in that plane, train, or automobile, set up a protective psychic barrier. To do this, just imagine yourself safe and secure inside a pure cocoon of light. Some people like to imagine a golden egg instead. Do whatever works for you! The point is, visualize this energetic shield, and you won’t be at the mercy of every thought and feeling around you.
  • Bring a positive, helpful companion with you. Whenever I go to the east coast, I invite my dear friend Katrin to travel with me. I look forward to being in her light, and together we can navigate through anything. And since your emotions affect your body, the good feelings I get from Katrin keep me healthy and strong.
  • Stick to your healthy routines. Take time to meditate, drink lots of water and exercise. Even a few minutes of exercise helps. Take a minute to stretch whenever you can. Katrin and I even do a few yoga poses before we board a plane.
  • When you can’t do anything else – breathe! Stuff happens. Planes get delayed, or you get stuck in traffic. Don’t let your own emotions get out of hand. Take a one-minute vacation from whatever chaos you are experiencing and breathe out for 8 seconds. Imagine yourself blowing out any negative feelings. Hold your breath for 8 seconds. Then breath in. For 8 seconds, imagine yourself inhaling love and peace.
  • Sit in the sunshine. I can’t tell you how good it feels to sit outside after I’ve been in stuffy hotels and airplanes all day. Sunshine is even a cure for jet lag. While I let the sun’s rays warm me, I make it a point to visualize them clearing out the foreign energy and psychic debris of the day.

I encourage you to try some of these tips when you travel. You can even put them to use at home! They’ll work whenever you’re being exposed to lots of new people and strong emotions. For more tools for your sensitive soul, check out my course, Life Tools for the Highly Sensitive Person.  It’s still a student favorite, and is full of helpful ideas to keep your sensitive self safe, happy, and healthy.