In the fast-paced world of corporate life, business travel has become an integral part of many professionals’ routines. While jet-setting across the globe for meetings and conferences may seem glamorous, the toll it can take on physical and mental health is often underestimated. Good Travel Management will explore essential healthy habits for business travellers, focusing on maintaining mental and physical wellbeing during frequent business trips.
The Impact of Frequent Business Travel on Health
Frequent business travel, especially long-haul flights, can disrupt regular routines and lead to poor dietary choices, lack of exercise, and elevated stress levels. Travel managers and organisations have a duty of care to their employees, ensuring the placement of wellness initiatives into travel policies. Ensuring the safety and well-being of your business travellers is not only a legal obligation but also a moral one. This involves a thorough risk assessment that encompasses both health and physical risks associated with the nature of the travel.
In today’s business environment, a well-structured and clear travel policy is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. A travel policy should include guidelines that ensure a smooth, safe, and compliant business travel and that’s what Good Travel Management offers.
Choose Direct Flights for Physical and Mental Well-being
Opting for direct flights can have a positive impact on overall well-being. Long layovers and multiple connecting flights not only contribute to physical fatigue but also increase the risk of safety concerns, particularly when navigating airports in a foreign country.
Choosing a direct flight for your business travel can minimise the potential sources of stress that come with catching connecting flights and dealing with potential airport delays and cancellations. With no interruptions or disruptions caused by layovers, business travellers can better manage their sleep schedules. Minimising travel time can significantly reduce exposure to potential health risks. Business travellers can arrive at their destinations more quickly, allowing them to spend less time in transit and more time on important business activities or personal relaxation. Ultimately, choosing direct flights can contribute to a more seamless travel experience to increase the health and well-being of business travellers.
Prioritise a Balanced Diet on Business Trips
One of the challenges business travellers face is maintaining a balanced diet. The temptation to indulge in convenient but unhealthy food options is heightened during busy travel schedules. To counteract this, plan meals, seek out local restaurants with nutritious offerings, and pack healthy snacks for those times when options are limited.
Incorporate Exercise into Your Travel Routine
Exercise is often neglected during frequent business travel. However, maintaining physical activity is crucial for overall health and wellbeing. Many hotels offer fitness facilities, and incorporating simple exercises or stretching routines into your daily schedule can make a significant difference. If your time is tight, consider taking the stairs or going for a brisk walk during leisure time.
Stay Informed about Safety Concerns in Foreign Countries
Prioritise safety when travelling to unfamiliar destinations. Staying informed about potential health risks, local safety concerns, and emergency procedures is a must to ensure the wellbeing of employees throughout a business trip. Organisations need to support employees with a comprehensive training plan for those travelling to high-risk areas, such as those in political unrest. A lack of training can result in employees being vulnerable to risks such as theft, assault, or more severe threats like terrorism. Make sure your employees are well-versed with safety tips that could help them on their business trip.
Good Travel Management’s platform provides real-time security alerts for business travellers, helping them to stay informed about potential risks. The software offers a traveller tracking feature that can be switched on or off, providing enhanced safety with real-time location updates.
Embrace Leisure Time for Emotional Well-being
While the main purpose of a business trip is work-related, it’s crucial to find moments for leisure and relaxation. Take advantage of your downtime to explore the local culture, engage in activities you enjoy, or simply unwind. A healthy work-life balance contributes to positive mental health and can therefore positively impact employees’ job performance. Use travel guides to see where to eat and top things you should see and do in a new place.
Check out Good Travel Management’s guide to New York here.
Utilise Wellness Programmes and Services
Many organisations now recognise the importance of employee wellbeing and offer wellness programmes as part of their benefits. Take advantage of these initiatives, whether it’s access to an airport lounge or exclusive discounts on wellness services. These perks can enhance the overall travel experience and contribute to a healthier work-life balance.
Streamlining the Booking Process for a Hassle-Free Trip
The booking process itself can be a source of stress for business travellers. With support from Good Travel Management, organisations can undergo a seamless booking experience ultimately helping them become more relaxed and focused during the business trip. By handling all the administrative aspects on your behalf, our expert team will ensure you experience a journey with attention to every detail.
Good Travel Management combines a passion for travel, extensive industry knowledge, vast experience, and genuine care for clients into their booking process ensuring all our clients achieve a hassle-free journey.
Stay Connected with a Support System
A large business travel wellness tip is to maintain a connection with family, friends, or colleagues who can provide emotional support during business travel. The use of technology allows for constant communication, reducing the feelings of isolation and fighting negative emotions that may arise during extended periods away from home.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritising health and well-being during business travel is not only a personal responsibility for the employee but also a shared obligation of the organisation.
- For business traveller wellbeing, incorporating healthy habits into their travel routines is crucial. A balanced diet, regular exercise and having personal relaxation time can help to manage stress during a business trip.
- Staying informed about safety concerns can contribute to a more positive and sustainable business travel experience. If your employees feel safe in their environment, you will enhance job performance and job satisfaction due to good health and well-being.
- Organisations need to value the wellbeing of their workforce. Remember, a healthy business traveller is a productive one.
What’s Next?
As corporate life gets busy in 2024, make sure you ensure your mental and physical health isn’t left behind. Want to know which UK airports are best for wellbeing facilities? Read our study that delves into the available facilities and healthy food options across all twenty-four domestic airports in the United Kingdom to reveal the best UK airports for wellbeing facilities.