Staying healthy on the road isn’t just about showing up to the office without sniffles. It’s also about reducing the stress of travel, maintaining good habits, and staying alert.
That’s not the easiest thing to do for business travelers, with the anxieties of work added to an already stressful endeavor. The following tips, however, can help.
We tend to think of stress as a temporary thing: “I’m a little stressed right now.” But studies show stress can lead to both short- and long-term health problems ranging from headaches and gastrointestinal issues to diabetes and heart disease.
The act of traveling can stress you out, as can the anxiety of approaching a big business trip. While you should prioritize extra rest leading up to travel and outline clear goals to ease your mind, downloading a meditation or stress-relieving app is a good idea as well.
Calm offers a fairly comprehensive free trial that includes timed meditation options, along with calming “scenes,” like nature.
Did you know that seat-back trays carry the most germs of any area of the plane? That’s not something travelers tend to prepare for, but they should, to avoid catching the common cold (which frequent flyers are more susceptible to). Here are some quick solutions to stay sniffle-free:
No one’s saying you have to turn into a hypochondriac, but you can never be too careful. After all, colds are miserable, work-killing ailments.
Skip those added calories by eating a full meal before you head to the airport and packing healthy snacks. Protein bars, nuts, dried fruit, and apples make for great on-the-go food that won’t leave you feeling guilty (or lethargic, for that matter).
When at your hotel, research healthy restaurants nearby, or listen to the advice of noted traveler Emmitt Smith, who recommends ordering room service—grilled chicken or fish—to stay consistent with your diet.
Technology is a wonderful thing. With a smartphone and a fitness app you can turn your surroundings—a quiet airport terminal, your hotel room, a city park—into your own personal gym. In less than 10 minutes, you can burn calories and relieve stress without disrupting your day.
Whatever you choose, a good sweat goes a long way in keeping you physically and spiritually healthy.
Jet lag doesn’t always take effect after continental travel, but a switch of coasts can lead to grogginess. From the Mayo Clinic:
Jet lag can cause daytime fatigue, an unwell feeling, difficulty staying alert and gastrointestinal problems. Jet lag is temporary, but it can significantly reduce your vacation or business travel comfort.
A trip from New York to San Diego, and vice versa, at the very least, slows you down. So how do you combat it?
Only you know exactly how you feel. If you are feeling groggy or sense a cold approaching, take some time to ease back into work. Strongly consider taking a half-day before or after your business trip to allow for recovery.
You could also schedule to arrive in a city one or two days ahead of schedule. This not only helps you adjust to any time-zone change but also gives you the opportunity to add a bleisure element to your trip. Studies show bleisure travelers enjoy a better work/life balance than non-bleisure travelers, and tend to be more focused on the road.