Business travelers have dubbed themselves ‘road warriors’ for a reason–a life on the road has both its victories and its battles. While benefits include piling up points and airline miles, visiting cities you might not otherwise, and forging important in-person relationships, traveling for business has its drawbacks, too. The greatest of these drawbacks is burning out, so here are some ideas for preventing business travel burnout.
Turn Your Next Biz Trip into a Bizcation
Nothing shouts millennial like tacking on a few days of play to your next business trip. Of course, you don’t have to be a millennial to change your perspective on spending time away from home. Planning a few free days to wander lets you engage with the locals, sample the cuisine, and indulge in the nightlife. By learning about the city you’re in, you’re less likely to feel lonely, or like an outsider that’s just passing through.
Book an Airbnb
While some biz travelers prefer staying in a hotel during a business trip–especially those that want to accrue hotel rewards points–others may start to feel claustrophobic after too much time in a hotel room. To alleviate this special case of cabin fever, book an Airbnb for your next trip. This accommodation option not only offers more space, but you’ll also gain access to a kitchen to make your own meals and simulate the feeling of home that you can’t get in a hotel. When searching for places to stay in the Airbnb app, filter by “Business Travel Ready” to find homes that offer Wi-Fi, 24 hour check-in, and more.
Bonus: Airbnb recently introduced the ability to book locally-inspired experiences through the app, including wine tastings, market tours, crafting classes, and more. Book one of these experiences during an off evening, and you’ve turned your next trip into a mini-bizcation.
Plan a Workout
When you’re on the road, heading to the gym might be the last priority on your to-do list. But working out and releasing endorphins has the proven ability to alleviate stress and boost creativity. Many hotels offer onsite facilities, but if yours doesn’t, apps like ClassPass can help you locate new studios in unfamiliar cities–oftentimes with the ability to try a new gym for free.
Can’t find time to sneak away to the gym? Create your own workout in your hotel room. Push the furniture aside and bust out a circuit of push-ups, lunges, squats and crunches. Or, download an app like the 7 Minute Workout or Nike Fit for quick workout regimes that you can do almost anywhere.
Book a Luxury Experience
After you’ve worked up a sweat at the gym, double down on the de-stressing by booking a spa treatment or making a reservation at a trendy restaurant. Whether its a massage, facial, or glass of fancy champagne, you’ll be grateful you took a mental break and indulged in a little luxury self-care while on the road.
If your flight lands in the evening, you could be heading straight to said dinner reservation. Using TripIt’s updated Navigator feature, you can plug in your dinner destination, and the app will take you from tarmac to table, seamlessly.
Plan a Day Off
If all else fails and you couldn’t find the time or resources to implement any of the above ideas, give yourself a break when you return from your trip. If you’re flying back home on Sunday, for example, request to have Monday off in order to give yourself a chance to catch up on your sleep, get back to your normal routine, and take a much-needed break from your emails. Use this day to rest, regain perspective, and start planning a vacation using all of those miles you’ve earned.
