Intro
Best Tips on How to Overcome The Challenges of Long Business Trips
Business trips can be exciting and rewarding, but they can also be challenging and stressful, especially when they are long and frequent. Long business trips can take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as your personal and professional relationships. How can you overcome the challenges of long business trips and make them more enjoyable and productive? In this article, we will share some tips and strategies that can help you cope with the difficulties of long business trips and make the most of your time away from home.
Some of the main challenges of a very long business trip and how to overcome them are:
Not Finding Essential Documents, Clothing or Accessories When You Need Them
You may pack too much or too little for your trip or forget some essential items.
Pack light and smart, choosing versatile clothing and accessories that suit your destination and purpose.
Make sure that you don’t have difficulty keeping track of your flight, hotel, car rental, and other travel details. Keep all your travel documents and information in one place, such as a folder or a binder.
Suffering from Jet Lag
You may experience fatigue, insomnia, or mood swings due to the time difference between your home and your destination.
To overcome this challenge, begin changing your sleep routine prior to travel by going to bed earlier and getting up later depending on the direction of your flight. Plan your flight strategically by selecting a departure and arrival time that is as close to your destination’s time zone as possible and avoid overnight flights if possible.
Drink plenty of water and eat healthy food during your flight to avoid dehydration and digestive problems, which can worsen jet lag symptoms. Avoid or limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine, as these can interrupt your sleep and make it difficult to acclimatise to the new time zone.
Limit your exposure to light by wearing sunglasses, drapes, or eye masks to block off harmful light and seeking out natural light when necessary. Because light is a potent cue for your circadian rhythm, you should expose yourself to it at the appropriate times.
Take melatonin tablets. Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. You can take them before bedtime at your destination to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Exercise lightly, preferably in the early or afternoon, to enhance your energy and mood. Exercising too close to bedtime can keep you awake. Avoid napping during the day unless you are extremely exhausted and require a brief nap to function. Napping might make it difficult to sleep at night and postpone your adjustment to the new time zone.
Stick to your regular routine as much as possible, such as eating, working, and relaxing at regular times. This will make you feel more at ease and familiar in your new surroundings.
Travel Stress Due to Travel Expenses and Travel Safety
You may face anxiety and frustration due to the hassles and uncertainties of travelling. Plan your budget ahead of time, use corporate cards or expense management tools, and keep track of your receipts.
Research your destination, follow local laws and customs, avoid risky areas and activities, and keep in touch with your employer and family. Book flexible and refundable tickets and accommodation, check travel restrictions and requirements, and get travel insurance.
Communicate with your employer about your itinerary, expectations, and needs, and use reliable travel providers and services, assess potential threats and hazards, prepare contingency plans, and have access to emergency contacts and resources.
Loneliness
You may feel isolated, depressed, or homesick due to the lack of social interaction and support from your family and friends. Loneliness is a common challenge for many people who travel for work,
especially for long periods of time. It can affect your mood, productivity, and well-being. However, there are some ways to cope with loneliness and make your trip more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Dine out instead of ordering room service. Be intentional about being among other people. Join a group or club that interests you and attend their meetings. You can use apps or websites to find local events and activities that match your hobbies or passions. Explore the city and its culture, history, and attractions. Take a walk, visit a museum, or join a guided tour.
Connect with friends and family back home through phone calls, messages, or video chats. Share your experiences and feelings with them and listen to theirs.
Attend events related to your work or industry, such as conferences, seminars, or networking sessions.
Health risks
Some of the challenges of long business trips can pose various health risks, such as exposure to infectious diseases, stress, fatigue, and accidents. Therefore, it is important to take precautions and follow some guidelines to avoid or reduce these risks.
Determine the safety of the destination before you travel. Check the CDC Destination pages to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination. Wear a mask when indoors or in large groups of people, use hand sanitizer to clean your hands in between touching items, such as door handles, railings, or menus, and wash your hands frequently using antibacterial soap and warm water.
Maintain your distance from others, especially if they are coughing, sneezing, or showing signs of illness. Avoid shaking hands or hugging strangers.
Pack a travel health kit with your allowed prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines (enough to last your whole trip, plus extra), first aid supplies, and your health insurance card.
In conclusion, balancing work and leisure while travelling for business can be challenging, but also rewarding. You should plan your trip ahead and allocate time for work, rest, and leisure.
You should communicate your availability and expectations to your colleagues, clients, and family. You should also respect your own limits and avoid overworking or overscheduling yourself. Prioritise
your tasks and goals and decline any requests or invitations that are not aligned with them. You should also avoid distractions and interruptions that can affect your productivity or relaxation.
Maintain a regular exercise routine to keep your body and mind healthy and energised and remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration, fatigue, or jet lag.
Last but not least – turn off your work emails and notifications when you are not working or during your leisure time. This can help you focus on the present moment and reduce stress.
We offer corporate travel solutions to help you overcome the challenges of long business trips.
