How do you stay sane when you're waiting for your plane?

I spent several years as an on-the-road salesperson and clocked more than my fair share of time in airports around the country. Early in my career, I found myself transferring from one flight to another only to discover that my transferred flight was delayed and my wait at the airport was suddenly going to be hours instead of minutes. A couple of the people who were transferring from the same flight were irate. I almost was until I realized that no amount of anger would make the time shorter. In fact, it would probably make it longer. I learned a life-long lesson that day to make the most of those situations (which turned out to be an invaluable lesson because it wasn't the last time it happened).

Over the years, from one delay to another, I perfected the art of a zen-like approach to waiting at the airport. I usually found that anything less than an hour usually went pretty quickly but if I had over an hour to wait, I had a little ritual. So, if you find yourself stuck at the airport, what should you do? Here's what I like to do:

1.First and foremost: Don't do work. Don't break out the Blackberry or the laptop at this point. That can wait. Instead, make the most of this new-found "you time".

2.Order a meal at a restaurant. Not one of those stand-up-to-the-bar restaurants and not something in the food court, but one of those nice, sit-down restaurants. Order a leisurely meal – something light and non-greasy, perhaps just an appetizer if you're not very hungry – and have a glass of wine after dinner.

3.Take a long walk. Don't think of it like you're killing time; instead, think of your walk as some well-deserved quiet time you don't normally get in your busy life. If possible, get outside and even away from the airport for a few minutes. Just stretch your legs, get some sun, and breathe the fresh air.

4.Return to the airport and call someone you love and chat with them. It could be a spouse, your kids, your parents; whomever. Enjoy the time, and they'll enjoy the surprise call.

5.Find a bookstore and buy a book you've always wanted to read. We have that "must read" book that we never quite get around to reading. (If you can't find a book, get a magazine on a topic you enjoy). Buy it, along with some fruit juice. Don't buy something caffeinated; buy something healthy. You'll feel great.

6.Find a quiet spot. You might have to look around but there is one somewhere. On my first foray into airport relaxation, my quiet spot was in the runway observation deck, tucked into the corner. There was almost no one else there!

7.Take off your shoes, stretch out, and read your book.

Remember, we're usually so busy in life – running here and running there – that we don't take the time to enjoy those quiet times that are forced upon us. But those quiet times are gifts if we remember to appreciate and revel in them.

If you do any traveling, you'll eventually find yourself faced with some longer-than-planned airport layovers. Approach them with a zen-like attitude and you'll be disappointed that your plane arrives so soon.