I'm a Flight Attendant, and These Are 10 Clever Ways Smart Travelers Level Up Their Layover-From $13

""I've had my share of long layovers," she says. "And with the right mindset and essentials, they can actually become some of the most restorative and productive parts of the trip." For her, layovers double as built-in breathers: a slow walk through the terminal, a playlist break with her Bose noise-cancelling headphones, or time to jot down thoughts in her journal."

""Hydration is non-negotiable, especially when you're traveling through multiple time zones," she says. "Most people may not realize how dehydrating being on the plane, especially for many hours, can be." The Owala FreeSip is leakproof, easy to refill at airport water stations, and has a covered spout so you don't have to worry about mystery germs coming into contact with your drink. Plus, skipping those overpriced water bottles sold at the terminal always feels like a win."

Long layovers can be restorative and productive when framed as personal time and supported by preparation. Treat layovers as built-in breathers through slow terminal walks, playlist breaks with noise-cancelling headphones, and journaling. Prioritize hydration using an insulated, leakproof water bottle refillable at airport stations to avoid overpriced terminal bottles. Keep germs at bay with hand sanitizer and protect skin from recycled cabin air with a skincare set. Mindset and preparation determine layover quality; framing the time purposefully and packing practical essentials makes long layovers calmer, more comfortable, and more useful.

Read at Travel + Leisure