De-Stress with SpectraSpray

We're all going through very stressful times right now. Not just because travel is, once again, an up-in-the-air thing, but everything is uncertain. We have to decide how to live our lives safely for ourselves and others, while also having to pretend some semblance of normalcy. It's hard and you may find yourself needing some help from...somewhere. Let SpectraSpray be part of that solution for you.

SpectraSpray makes vegan, organic, sugar-free, gluten-free, yeast-free, wheat-free, dye-free sprays to help you through every facet of your life, including travel. I love these sprays, because they're easy to use, taste pretty good, and absorb quicker than traditional vitamins and supplements.

It seems like everyone is worrying about something right now, whether it's their child going back to in-person learning or their flight being cancelled, so I was very interested in trying the Stress Less kit. It comes with two sprays: Stress Spray and Sleep Spray, to help you get through the day and the night, with...well, less stress. Chill out a bit during the day hours and then fall asleep and stay asleep better. 

I've previously used the Sleep Spray on the airplane when traveling cross-country and overseas, as well as the first night or two of being in a new place and being either too hyped to sleep or it being slightly too different from home to fall asleep easily. It calms you down and helps you drop off naturally. Then you sleep more deeply for longer, allowing your body to recharge the way it needs to. There's no groggy feeling when you wake up either. It contains melatonin and herbs, all proven to support a restorative sleep. 

I've been using the Stress Spray for a few weeks and haven't felt anxious when I otherwise might, which helps me focus better, because I'm calmer and have more energy to devote to the important things. It contains a mix of B vitamins and herbs that combine to help you just relax and calm down when you feel like everything is too much. 

And while you may find this to be a bit too much information, it has also had an impact on my body during menstruation this month. I'm not feeling as crampy or annoyed by random things. I'm not saying it's the Stress Spray, but I'm also not saying it's not the Stress Spray. 

If you have a lot going on in your life and don't want to add a bunch of giant supplements to your routine, but need help really reigning things in, the Less Stress Kit may be for you. It's diabetic- and bariatric patient-friendly and is made with supportive vitamins and natural herbs. The sprays are quickly absorbed by your body and introduced to your bloodstream without having to go through your digestive system first. You spray 4-8 sprays into your inside cheek and then move on with your day (or night). You don't need any water or to choke down massive pills. 

Not only are these sprays all natural and have the highest absorption rate, they can be used anywhere at any time, they're safe for everyone, are TSA-compliant, and they taste great! You can't say that about a lot of other vitamins, because they taste like they are good for you (read: they taste disgusting). These have a nice minty taste, but it doesn't linger, as it absorbs so quickly. So, if you don't love mint, know it's very slight and has no aftertaste.

Not stressing? Maybe you just need more energy to get things done. The B12 Energy Spray can give you that boost whenever you need it. I keep that one in my work locker. 

Worry about health is big on everyone's mind at the moment. Immune Spray creates a barrier in your mouth to defend against bacteria and viruses. This is perfect for these uncertain times, but also when you're traveling to new places and are facing new germs and experiences where it's easy to get sick. I keep that one and a Sleep Spray in my travel bag and even pair them with wearing a mask to cover all my bases. 

Feeling like you could use a pick-me-up while working from home, trying to help your kids with distance learning, or being socially distanced in your office? Constantly breathing in the warm air from your mask can make you a bit too relaxed and make you feel sleepy (this is why masks are actually great on planes). The new Cafe Energy Spray has a natural mocha flavor and caffeine. It has a much higher absorption rate than energy drinks and gets its caffeine from coffee bean extract. 

They use caffeine, B12 and adaptogenic herbs to give you a natural boost and no crash like you get with beverages like coffee. It's also great for those that don't enjoy coffee or can't drink it because of the acidity.

I only noticed when I got back in the car that my camera decided to focus on the background, but I do take this everywhere I go :) 

You can get all your important vitamins in their own sprays or get a multivitamin spray. Whatever your needs, SpectraSpray has the answer. They even have sanitizer spray. It's slim, so I keep one in my purse and another one in my locker at work to take with me when I make deliveries and pick-ups. 

These also make great gifts for people in your life. Maybe grab a pack of sanitizer spray for work, kids, or your mailman. Get a Stay Well pack for your mom or dad. Slip a Jet Lag kit in a gift bag for your graduate who's hoping to see the world. Because they're natural, organic, and free of allergens, they work for everyone you know. Items are in stock and ready to ship to you.

More info:

Where can I buy them? Online at SpectraSpray's website

How much do they cost? $19.95+ | Stress Less kit: $38.95 (or less if you subscribe for timed shipments.

Other specs: Superior oral absorption; no binders, fillers or artificial ingredients; convenience and taste. No food or drink required. There is no sugar, starch, wheat, soy, eggs, salt or dairy. Made in the USA. SpectraSpray is a woman-owned small business. 

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How do you keep well at home, work and while traveling?

What's Flying Like In A Pandemic?

Well, I did it. I finally got back on a plane. It had been 22 months since I did so, and I felt every day of that. Traveling is something that is a necessity in my life. Though we'd been doing Destination Date Nights, it only pushed off the wanderlust for so long. So, once we were all fully vaccinated and boosted, we booked a flight to Arizona to get away from the gross winter weather.

I had my doubts as to whether or not airlines would really enforce the mask rules, but I talked to several people on Twitter who travel for work and they all highly recommended Alaska Airlines, which is already my favorite airline, so I booked with them. I wasn't disappointed either. My favorite announcement from the pilot:

"You must wear your mask properly throughout the entire flight. Properly means over your nose and your mouth...at the same time. Once you are finished eating or drinking, you must put your mask back on. We are not doing this to make a political statement. It is for your safety. If this sounds too difficult for you, please let us know and we can get you off the plane and find you another way to get to your destination."

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A post shared by Shereen Travels Cheap (@srayle)

So, what's it like flying now that masks are mandatory? It's surprisingly fine. On the way there we didn't have seats together. Eric and my mom both ended up with aisle seats and a middle seat between them and the other person in their row. I sat in between two business guys who read their books the whole flight, but who were very friendly. Aside from the one taking his mask down to eat a sandwich, they both kept their masks on and didn't bother me.

 

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A post shared by Shereen Travels Cheap (@srayle)

We all sat together on the ride home and double-masked, only because there seemed to be quite a few people grumbling about flying with masks at the gate, and I actively heard some behind me talking about some anti-masker site that she was reading about and wanted to tell others about. We pulled our masks down to eat snacks, but kept them on in between bites, as requested. 

I always find the plane cold, so having a mask was nice for me. I only worried about the flight attendants being able to hear me when they came around asking if we wanted anything. Usually, you have speak loudly for them to hear you over the engine anyway, so it was about as annoying as it always is. 

The day after we came home, we made sure to test (I purchased at-home tests before we left) and then two days later, just in case. We knew we weren't sick before we traveled, but mostly only the tourists in Arizona were wearing masks wherever we went, unless it was enforced (literally nowhere), so we were being extra safe for family and my coworkers. You can still get tested for free and can make an appointment for when you return from your trip, but however you do it, testing should 100% be on the top of your to-do list. 

So, aside from masking and testing, travel is much the same as it was before, with the addition of social distancing when you can, bringing along hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes (which many of us were already doing), and having to contend with shorter open times when you get to your destination, waiting a little longer for service, and having to pay for most things with a credit or debit card - sometimes ahead of time, so you have a digital e-ticket to show. Planning ahead has never been more useful or necessary. 

Where will your next trip take you?

Free National Park Days

Last post we talked about National Plan for Vacation Day. It's pretty awesome that there's a day for it. If you don't have a lot of disposable money right now, you aren't alone, and perhaps a free trip to a National Park is an option for you. These do sometimes take planning, since the parks can get real busy. 

With winter dragging on and some places still getting fresh blankets of snow, you might be ready to get out of town. In preparation for the warmer temps, or for those of you who don't care how cold it is or how much snow is on the ground, let's talk about how you can get out and explore your national parks this year for absolutely free. Each year, the U.S. National Park Services open their gates to everyone and waive the daily entry fee to make getting outside cheaper and more fun.

• Jan 17 — Martin Luther King Jr Day (if you want to start planning for next year)
• April 16 — National Park Week kicks off
• Aug. 4 — Celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Sept. 24 — National Public Lands Day
• Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

If you're an avid outdoors lover, then you may already have an annual pass, because you want to explore all the things. If you're like me, you only go to the parks when you're on a road trip, so you can't see the value of spending $80 for the year when you only spend maybe 3 days at a National Park. For you, save some money and plan your trips around these free days. The parks maybe be more crowded, but that can be part of the fun. Unfortunately, more people may mean fewer glimpses of wildlife, but it really depends on the park. 

Pack your cooler with some delicious foods, a blanket, and throw some clothes in an overnight bag if you plan to make a getaway of it (because, sometimes you aren't that close to a National Park), because getting outside just got easier:

Save some money on your pass

Did you know that seniors (age 62 and over) can buy a lifetime pass to the parks for just $10? Now that's a fantastic deal! Want to get a cheaper pass? Well, you might be able to. U.S. Military and permanently disabled citizens can get an annual pass for free. If you have a child in the fourth grade, with the Every Kid in a Park initiative, your whole family is eligible for a free pass. 

Split the pass with a friend and add $40 to your pass cost. Each pass can have two people as owner on it (and they don't need to be related), so if you have a a friend or family member who also wants to go to the parks, but doesn't necessarily want to spend full price, add both  your names to the annual pass and split the cost. You'll each pay just $60 that way and will only have to work out who gets it when (or go together). This is great for families, because the NPS has a lot of offer for kids, not least of which is the Junior Ranger program, where kids engage in different educational activities at each park and receive a stamp in their parks passports and often a badge for completing each one. 

When to skip a pass

If you only plan on visiting during the above times or you plan to visit the smaller parks that don't charge a fee. For the record, there's almost 300 of them. Here is the list of 120 parks that charge admission that you can get into free on fee free days. If you want to try to avoid the crowds, check out these "hidden" spots.

Visit Canada

Canada has National Parks of its own, and they were established before the U.S. NPS. With tons of open spaces, it's a great place to head to get outdoors, plus they also have fee-free deals for under 17s and new Canadian citizens at all 47 parks across the country. Once they are open to Americans again, it's a good excuse to visit and enjoy new outdoor spaces. 

Now that you have some options, all you need to do is plan your trips, find some awesome hiking boots/shoes, charge your camera and get out there. 

What's your favorite national park and why do you love it?