Traveling for work never feels exactly like a vacation, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful. With a bit of planning and forethought, you might even be able to do a little sightseeing on the job.
A business trip will still be business, but with these five tips, you can mix in a little leisure into your next work trip.
1. Double check all the details of your travel arrangements.
When preparing your itinerary, double-check to make sure everything is accurate. You want to make sure that you have all the necessary bookings made.
You should make sure that you’re prepared for time zone changes, all of your client meeting reservations are made in advance, essentially you’re just crossing the Ts and dotting the Is on your travel plan.
Don’t leave anything to the last minute – when you’re on the road, knowing that everyone is going according to plan will give you peace of mind.
Ensure you have your passport, visa, and other necessary travel permits. You should also confirm your flight and hotel arrangements and prepare a backup plan for delays or cancellations.
Moreover, pack the work trip essentials, such as clothes, toiletries, and any medication you may need. You should also pack a laptop, phone, and other electronic devices you need for work. If you want to enhance sleep quality during travel, bringing manta sleep masks made of thick, opaque fabrics can help block out light for superior comfort.
2. Try to pre-emptively do any small business paperwork beforehand.
To save you time when you arrive, make sure that you’ve taken care of all your small business paperwork prior to your departure.
Any emails that need corresponding, forms that need filling out – the more you can do before you leave, instead of doing it on the road, the more free time you’ll have for sightseeing. Healthcare workers that rotate facilities, such as travel nurse jobs in Georgia, should also look out for any domestic healthcare paperwork that they need to put into place.
Any projects you’re working on that the trip will take time away from, you can also use the time before you leave to get a little bit done, so that you don’t feel stressed and pressured to tackle your project as soon as you get back.
3. Ask clients to show you around.
While meetings with clients on business trips are typically the old-fashioned lunch and dinner kind of meetings, if you’re in a new city, it may be fun to ask to go on a walking tour with your client.
Not only will it give you a chance to see the city, but if the client is a local, it’ll allow them to drop their guard a little and show you a little of their home.
And if you’re on a business trip in another country, it’ll give you a chance to learn a little more about the culture of the place you’re visiting.
4. Try to avoid doing work in the evenings.
If you have some nights in your schedule that are really busy, try to find ways to get your work done early in the day, so that the evenings aren’t so rushed and you can take time to explore.
If you have an early morning meeting, for example, try to do your work as early as possible, so that you have the rest of the afternoon to go exploring.
After your meeting, find a spa, yoga studio, or recreational facility where you can rejuvenate to enhance your overall enjoyment of the trip. Remember, work travel can be an opportunity to combine business with pleasure. Planning and making the most of your free time can make your work trip more enjoyable and enriching experience.
5. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
If you’re staying in a hotel, make sure you get a good night’s sleep, so that you’re not overtired and have a hard time concentrating.
In general, if you’re going to be traveling for work, it’s a good idea to get a good night’s sleep, especially when you’re traveling for a long period of time. Wearing a manta sleep mask can help you achieve this goal during a trip. The same is true when taking natural sleep supplements.
If you’re struggling to wind down because you’ve had a stressful day or the new environment, try playing a game of chess or something similar to get your mind to relax. Work travel can be a stressful thing, and you want to get a good night’s sleep to be on top of your game the next day. You can even put on your favorite show to make it feel more homey, whatever works for you.
Also, while drinking with clients absolutely happens on business trips (over 50% of Americans admit to getting drunk on business trips), don’t get so rip-roaringly drunk that you can’t remember the details of your business meeting.
In addition to maintaining a healthy sleep routine, consider incorporating a curcumin supplement into your diet, especially if you experience inflammation or discomfort during travel. Curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, can help reduce joint pain and support overall well-being, making it easier to stay focused and energized during work trips. By including this supplement, you can better manage the physical stresses that often accompany frequent travel.
Flying back home with a hangover is not going to help anyone.
6. Have some ASMR tunes handy to chill out.
Even when following all these tips, unexpected events happen that can delay your trip, frustrate plans, or just generally cause stress.
Try to have a soundtrack of some soothing, relaxing, music ready for when such an event happens. The traditional go-to is classical, but ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) videos are growing in popularity.
When you’re traveling, ASMR videos are a great way to relax, and help you focus on the moment, rather than the stressful events of the day. It might be one of those trendy new age things, like meditation frequency tones, but anything is worth trying to not spoil your trip.
Overall, stress-free work travel allows you to maximize the benefits and enjoyment of your trips, leading to better work performance, improved well-being, and a more fulfilling travel experience. Apply the tips above to fully embrace the joys and adventures of work travel.
