Booking your airline ticket is only the first step in getting to your destination and possibly the easiest. Once you arrive at the airport, there’s often a challenge of finding a parking place, dragging luggage to the check-in area that wraps around the roped barriers weaving it’s way to another charge to check your luggage and then off to security and yet another line.

Imagine crowded hallways, limited seating and screaming kids only to be boarded onto an often over crowded aircraft sitting in the middle seat fighting for your share of the armrest, the seat in front of you practically reclined in your lap and a kicking little one behind you on a four hour flight back East.

Ok, so perhaps that’s a little dramatic but when you’re stressed out, that’s what it can feel like. So what can you do to relax before a flight and start your trip off right?

If you haven’t already heard, the San Francisco International Airport has added a room where passengers can find some peace and quiet before their flight. The Yoga Room, is a dimly lit room that is quiet were passengers can get a little me time in the form of yoga. Chairs and mats are available and I am sure that simply stretching and perhaps a little meditation are allowed. There are no instructors and no food, drinks or cell phones are allowed! No shoes either. Come in and let your stress melt away.

This is the first airport in possibly the world to offer such a place but what happens if you are not traveling through San Francisco?

First of all, get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Most airports these days have things to do if you arrive early. Even if it’s just reading a book, not rushing around with the possibility of missing your flight will help you relax. If I am on a long break between flights or simply find myself at the airport with time to spare, I find a place to sit and listen to music. Some eateries will allow you to sit for as long as you like drinking a cup of coffee or tea and often have a window view. If you find that there are no seats at your gate, then look at another gate nearby that is not ready for a flight and relax. Just make sure that you set your phone timer on vibrate and place it in your pocket or somewhere you can feel it just in case!