{"id":66264,"date":"2019-09-25T09:18:47","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T13:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=66264"},"modified":"2020-09-03T05:53:13","modified_gmt":"2020-09-03T09:53:13","slug":"five-expert-tips-for-surviving-long-distance-business-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/creativity-culture\/five-expert-tips-for-surviving-long-distance-business-travel","title":{"rendered":"Five expert tips for surviving long-distance business travel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Business travel today is widely considered to be a perk rather than a chore\u2014a recent study<\/a> showed that 75 percent of millennial business travelers<\/a> view travel as a benefit of their jobs. But those who travel often or over long distances for work know that business trips aren\u2019t as glamorous or easy as they might seem. In reality, business travel often means late hours, a grueling schedule with little personal time, and jet lag. It\u2019s no surprise then that a 2018 study<\/a> by the Harvard Business Review<\/em> found those who travel for longer than two weeks to be more prone to health risks including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monica Parker, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and founder of WeWork member company Hatch Analytics<\/a>, is an expert when it comes to frequent, long-distance travel. She commutes between her company’s two office locations\u2014WeWork Medius House<\/a> in London and WeWork 152<\/a> in Melbourne\u2014every other month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, she shares her tips for healthy, long-distance business travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Rest in the air, work on the ground<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While working during a flight might seem like a productive way to pass the time, Parker has a strict tools-down policy while on planes. \u201cForget the Wi-Fi, take a nap, read a book, listen to music, meditate, and take time to think,\u201d she advises. \u201cJust make sure to keep the laptop stored away. You\u2019ll be amazed by the ideas that pop into your head during that switch-off time, and you\u2019ll arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to take on the busy schedule.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Take 10 minutes to meditate<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven when everything goes to plan, you are running against the clock\u2014working on a tight schedule, packing, and unpacking. It\u2019s a lot of intense activity on top of your everyday job,\u201d Parker explains. With this in mind, she recommends a 10-minute meditation practice once you\u2019re settled in your seat. \u201cCentering your breath will help rebalance your mind and make you feel more relaxed\u2014it\u2019s also more efficient in the long run than having a whiskey in the departures lounge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

3. Avoid hangovers <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being on a plane is similar to being at altitude\u2014the lower barometric pressure in the cabin increases the effects of alcohol<\/a>. Parker\u2019s advice? \u201cNothing more than just a cheeky glass of bubbles.\u201d There\u2019s also an increased risk of dehydration on a long-haul flight\u2014if you pile that on top of a hangover and jet lag, it can wreak havoc on your body clock, immune system, and overall performance. \u201cStick to whole foods and immune boosters and your trip will be much more productive,\u201d she suggests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Optimize your schedule <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Parker\u2019s business trips are usually booked with meetings, so she aims for efficiency when planning her days. \u201cSchedule meetings at locations that are near to one another,\u201d Parker says, so that you don\u2019t spend time commuting around the city after a long flight. If you regularly visit the same city for work, creating regularity and routine can help you be more efficient. \u201cPreorder lunch from your favorite spot,\u201d she suggests, \u201cso that it\u2019s easy to pick up en route to the office or to your next meeting. Try to stay in the same hotel each time\u2014one where you feel comfortable\u2014to create familiarity and a sense of routine.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Bring a bit of home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No matter how seasoned you are in the art of business travel, unfamiliar places can still get you off-balance. Parker recommends taking a piece of home with you\u2014a reminder of home can easily settle your nerves when traveling a long way. \u201cWhen I travel, I always bring a small jewelry tray my husband gave me. It\u2019s just a little reminder of home and keeps me grounded when I\u2019m in a new space. That physical representation of home makes the unknown somehow less so. It doesn\u2019t have to be precious or highly valuable\u2014anything goes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n