Taking off and landing has always been a painful experience for me…at times I feel my head is in some sort of medieval head vice, and at any second it will pop like a balloon. Although it never stopped me from traveling…I dreamed of flying like “normal” people.

It turns out my ailment had a name, barotrauma – which is injury, pain or discomfort mainly affecting the middle ear…caused by a significant difference between air pressure in the middle ear and the atmospheric pressure surrounding it outside the eardrum. Once I had diagnosed my mystery disorder the next step was to find a solution…it came in the form of earplugs with a very specific purpose, EarPlanes.  

According to Cirrus Healthcare, the inventors of EarPlanes, these wondrous earplugs relieve ear discomfort, clogging and popping with the use of their exclusive CeramX filter that regulates air pressure naturally. They are made of hypoallergenic and latex free soft silicone, so they are comfortable to wear. 

EarPlanes cost around $8 for one pair and are disposable…they recommend you only use them for two flights as they loose their effectiveness after a while.  Although that can seem a bit pricey, as a victim of barotrauma…I wouldn’t dare fly without them. They can be found at most drugstores and airport gift shops.

Ever listened to a tune that you couldn’t get out of your head?  Well the geniuses at Earworms found that music acts as a catalyst for the memorization of words and anchors new vocabulary deep in your long-term memory. Earworms took this theory and applied it to languages, partnering with Berlitz they developed a series of language learning CDs that have useful phrases set to the rhythm of catchy tunes.

When I first heard the concept I instantly thought of nursery rhymes and instantly decided that as an adult I could not partake in such a silly experiment …but once I heard one of these language “songs” I was swept into the rhythmically enticing world that is Earworms.  The tunes are modern and hip, and the way the phrases are spoken with a hint of melody makes them stick in your head just as if it were the newest pop song on the radio.

Within an hour I was counting to ten, ordering tea and asking where the nearest train station is…all in Japanese.

The best part of this method is that Earworms encourages you not to study and concentrate…the best way to soak in the language via the music method is to sit back and relax to the melodies you hear.

For $25 you get a CD and booklet that includes over 200+ essential words and phrases…they are available at Amazon.com…or can be download at iTunes for $10.

With the PB Travel 1st class kit you could be living like 1st class in good old coach.

The kit includes a pair of disposable socks along with a blanket & eyemask. The super soft fleece blanket is easy to care for as it is machine washable and dries in 10 minutes.

Living like a chosen folk will only cost $20, which is much cheaper than an upgrade…..now if they could only invent a way to make the seat seem less sardine-canish?!

Available at en-day.com

A versatile alternative to the traditional carry-on bag, this 3-in-1 duffle is a great way to get organized for your flight.  Since the bag splits and becomes three, it makes for 3 mini daypacks as well.

Available at Kangaroom.com for $49.99

One of the best ways to not get sick when you travel is to wash your hands on a regular basis…..but when you are on the road, bathrooms are not always easy to come by. 

Cue Jao…..the first “upscale” antibacterial that is an instant disinfectant and aromatherapy boost in one.

Jao kills germs and freshens hands with ethyl alcohol (less drying) and their very own blend of antiseptic essential oils: Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Geranium and Sage. Combined with cosmetic moisturizers and essential oils, Jao will not dry out your hands.

It’ll feel like you just washed with an herbal lavender soap.  Click here to get your clean on!