World Health Day offers the perfect moment to shine a light on the importance of protecting our well-being despite our fast-paced professional schedules.
Let’s be honest; while it’s exciting to travel, meet new people, explore new places and build your business skills, regular business travel can take its toll. Seasoned road warriors know it involves endless hours of travelling, working round the clock, attending meetings and interacting with new people to achieve business goals.
Constant business trips can negatively affect your well-being. Having a work-life balance, whether in the office or the air, helps you perform better and ultimately represents your organisation better.
Simple Steps for Healthier Business Travel
All employees can implement research-based wellness practices during their business trips regardless of the status of their organisation’s wellness program. Here are some simple tips to stay on top of your game when travelling:
- Reduce travelling time
Long queues at airports, tight connections, flight delays and lost luggage all add to travel stress. If possible, try to book direct flights to reduce travel stress. Even if the cost is slightly higher, on average, direct flights reduce carbon emissions by roughly 100kg per person compared to a one-stop connection. [i] This is a win-win for you and your company! - Hydrate
Did you know that the humidity level in an airplane cabin is drier than the Sahara Desert!? So, the hype about hydrating while travelling is a real thing. The Aerospace Medical Association suggests consuming 0.25 litres of water per hour spent in the air. [ii]
- Factor in recovery time
A jet lag rule of thumb is that it takes one day per time zone to get back to “normal” when flying west to east. East to West flights only need about half a day per time zone to adjust. [iii]
But even if you are in the same time zone, nobody feels as fresh as a daisy when they walk off a plane.
Don’t schedule meetings straight after you land. Factor in spare time to refresh and prepare for your meeting and include lengthy breaks between appointments. Adding extra travel days before or after a business trip is also an excellent way to recharge, particularly for international travel. You will have time to adjust to your new time zone and relax, which is key to avoiding burnout.
- Catch some zzzzz’s
This may be easier said than done, but getting enough sleep is a huge part of staying healthy. A savvy business traveller doesn’t leave for a trip without noise-cancelling headphones or a travel pillow! If your travel policy permits it, choose seats that offer extra legroom. If not, try to book a window seat – it’s more comfortable leaning against this than your neighbour’s shoulder.
If you are travelling across time zones, try to stick to a sleep schedule – the routine helps regulate your body’s internal clock. At your destination, book hotels with comfortable beds, quiet rooms and facilities that will help you relax. Ultimately, the more comfortable you are, the less fatigued you will be.
- Get some exercise
Select hotels that provide exercise facilities so that if you have time, you can factor in morning exercise. This way, if meetings run late or you get an unexpected dinner invite, you won’t miss out on your daily regime. And if you don’t have the opportunity to work out, walk as much as possible or opt for stairs instead of a lift – you will feel energized and your productivity will increase.
- Make healthy food choices
A recent Google Consumer Survey of business travellers reported that 44% of travellers are more likely to indulge in unhealthy foods while on business trips than they would be at home. [v] It’s difficult not to indulge in too much food and alcohol when you are wining and dining or exploring new and exciting cuisines.
Try to pack healthy snacks to curb cravings on board and avoid fast food at the airports. At your destination, try to make healthy choices when you go out to eat (it helps to research good restaurant options in your area). Book hotels that include healthy breakfasts so you start your day on the right foot.
- Take your meds
Falling ill while travelling is not the most pleasant experience. Start your trip off right, and make sure you’ve taken any recommended vaccinations for your destination. It’s also a good idea to pack a medicine bag with vitamins and any prescribed medication. Keep your medication in a carry-on bag and in its original labelled containers with the prescription to make the customs screening process easier. Remember to always check if your medication will be accepted at your destination.
When business travel is part of the job, it’s important for your mental health to do as much as you can to stay healthy when travelling. Partnering with a travel companion like Rennies BCD Travel helps you make better wellness choices that are in line with your company’s policies. Remember, healthy business travellers are good for business.