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Ten ways to reduce stress, maintain focus, capture energy while traveling on business
Women are travelling for business at a greater than ever rate. Simultaneously women are juggling growing job responsibilities, family obligations and other tasks. Time “out” of our life for travel can mean tension at many levels. Self-care, the greatest stress reducer, gets lost. Business travel, if well planned, can be productive. Here are some valuable tips to care for yourself, protect your sanity, and increase your success potential.
1. Duplicate your personal items: If you are a frequent traveller, cut your preparation time and chance of forgetting important items by having a bag ready to go! Contents are everyday make-up, facial cleaners, shampoo, conditioner, comb/brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, tampons and any other items you use on a daily basis. Over the counter pain relief tablets are great for stress headaches. Items purchased in larger containers, such as shampoo, conditioners, cleaners, should be put into smaller containers to save space. Used medicine or containers or film containers are great if they are re-labelled!
2. Pack lightly: Bring one pair of dark trousers/skirt and jacket that are made of fabric that travel well. Roll in tissue paper and hang in bathroom while you are showering to release any wrinkles. If travelling for several days, bring 2-3 blouses. Shop for easy wash/dry ones. Shampoo is gentle to wash items in the sink when necessary.
3. Don’t forget your exercise. If you have a gym membership, find out if there is a complimentary member in your city of travel. Always throw in your togs in case there is a pool. Pack some walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing for walking. Always ask about safe routes. As a last resort, walk around the hotel several times to equal 45 minutes.
4. Don’t waste time on television. Bring a part of your “life” with you: A book you have been putting off reading (professional reading or fiction) cross-stitch, beadwork, writing letters.
5. Take the opportunity to do things you might not ordinarily do: See a movie that you really want to see, spend time in a bookshop browsing for hours, have a facial, manicure, or shop for something you never have time to or bring your bath salts and have a good soak in the tub alone!
6. Do things away that you won’t have to do when you get home: Catch up on email, shop for a birthday gift, and phone a friend or family member you have not caught up with due to lack of time.
7. Do not forget those who love you and you love: Phone home to children and/or partner to catch up with their day and keep connected.
8. You job: If you travel frequently, are there ways to customize parts of your trips? Administrative assistants are wonderful at these sorts of projects. Examples are folders with important forms, handouts, procedures that you use frequently. Doing so, allows you to focus only on the “special” items needed for each trip. Little things like not having a pen when arriving at your destination can be a big added stress.
9. Don’t leave your diet at home: Make sure your accommodation has minimal facilities for food preparation. Keep it simple, but healthy. Take food w/ you if not convenient to go to a grocery. Some ideas: Fresh fruit, cheese, yoghurt, vegetables (carrot, cucumbers travel well) and rye or other whole meal bread.
10. Safety: Travel with a cell phone. Use door chains in your room. Never make references to yourself ‘being alone” in conversations with/or around strangers. Avoid being out at night alone and in unsafe places (parking garages, stairwells, and unlit areas). Always walk with purpose, head up, and keys in hand. “Looking and acting” like a victim increases the chances of becoming one!
Plan ahead as much as possible. Take care of yourself. Down time, after the workday needs to be planned for as much as possible. Failures to plan business trips cost energy and can potentially sabotage the goal of the trip.
About the Author
Jennifer is teacher, author, public speaker, occupational therapist and international email and telephone personal and career coach. She co-creates, with great women over the age of 40,the vision and actualization of a life of choice, spirit, and integrity.
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