Travel and work are stressful. However, there’s no reason for business travel to cause extra stress.
While there’s nothing you can do to prevent travel delays or cancellations, there are some simple ways to relax during a business trip.
Let’s take a look at five easy ways to ensure that your next business trip is relaxing.
1. Schedule Some Me-Time
There’s nothing wrong with taking time for yourself. Business conferences and meetings can be overwhelming, especially if you’re an introvert.
When planning your trip, schedule a bit of time for yourself each day.
Even five minutes can make a huge difference.
It might seem antisocial to head back to your hotel room instead of going out with your colleagues, but if it’s important to you, it’s worth it.
Everyone recharges in different ways. Some people find a walk relaxing. Others want to sit in front of the TV for an hour.
Do whatever works best for you.
This can be hard if you’re traveling with colleagues.
Be honest about the fact that you need some time to yourself. Your coworkers will respect that.
2. Wining & Dining
Good food is one of the highlights of travel, especially for international destinations.
It would be a shame to miss out on the local flavors.
Do some research ahead of time to find out if there are any specialties in the area. Or maybe there is a destination restaurant nearby.
A good meal can be a great bonding experience for colleagues. It can also be a great place to conduct business.
A more relaxed environment is more productive than a stuffy business room.
Before traveling, make sure to check the company policy and tax regulations. These can be complicated.
Here is an overview of how to set a meal allowance for your employees.
Giving them permission to spend whatever they want isn’t a good idea, but being stingy will just annoy them.
3. Hitting the Gym
A bit of exercise is always good. Working out to the point that you’re exhausted isn’t a good idea for a business trip, but light exercise will improve energy levels.
Exercise releases endorphins and will improve your mood. You don’t want to enter a business meeting in a bad mood.
If you’re traveling to a different time zone, exercise can help regulate your sleep schedule.
Most hotels catering to business travel have fitness and wellness centers.
For those who don’t like to work out, the sauna can be a great relaxing escape.
4. Visiting Local Sites
If you’re headed all the way to an exciting city or country, there’s no reason not to see the sites.
Schedule your arrival for a day early if there’s something you really want to see. Or stay a day afterward.
Do some research ahead of time to see what you might be interested in.
If you enjoy art, check out the local art museums and exhibits. Taking your mind off work for a few hours is a good thing.
Maybe there is a concert or theater performance going on while you’re there. It would be a shame to miss something exciting.
If you’re organizing a trip for your employees, planning a fun outing will keep the staff happy.
5. Read a Book
Reading is a great way to relax your mind and escape for a little while.
If you travel frequently and don’t want to transport heavy books, a Kindle or e-reader is a good option.
However, an old-fashioned paperback is always a good idea. Books are great conversation starters.
Real books don’t require an internet connection and don’t need to be recharged.
During flights, you don’t need to stow books away during take-off and landing. That’s not the case for electronics.
To get the most out of your destination, read a book by a local author.
Or stay on top of your business game by reading something related to your field. Here is a list of the best new business books.
Reading will impress your boss and your colleagues and set you apart from people glued to their phones.
Conclusion
Relaxation is essential both for life and business. Follow this advice, and your next trip is bound to be more relaxing than the last.