Why can traveling for work be stressful sometimes?
How to prepare for success pre-departure
Simplify how you book your travel
- Sick of scouring through heaps of websites looking for the best price? Utilizing a dedicated online business travel booking tool will give you access to an impressive inventory of hotels, flights, trains and car hire options all on one easy-to-use platform.
- Often being asked to travel last-minute and struggling to find hotels and flights that meet your company’s travel policies? Online business travel solutions like TravelPerk allow your company to integrate guidelines into the booking process so it’s easier for employees to choose travel options that are in budget.
- Say goodbye to the pain of paying out of your own pocket for business travel. TravelPerk consolidates all your travel arrangements into one invoice for your organization. A win for you and for the accounting team!
Plan ahead for hassle-free travel
- TravelPerk’s recent report indicated that 78% of surveyed employees experienced disruptions during their work trips in 2024. If you have an important meeting or a site visit scheduled for the afternoon, save yourself the stress of unexpected delays and travel the day before.
- When it comes to optimizing your travel experience, it’s all in the details. If you hate getting stuck in the middle seat, pick out your preferred option in advance. Find airports a bit overwhelming? Download some episodes of your favorite podcast and make sure your noise-canceling headphones are charged so you can switch off in stressful environments. While your schedule can get especially hectic before a work trip, making time to prioritize these small comforts will improve your time away from home.
- Prepare for the unexpected. Wherever possible, try to find the most flexible rates available. So, when life throws curveballs at your travel plans, you can make amendments with little or no charges. FlexiPerk travelers can cancel or change their plans up to two hours before departure with a guaranteed refund of up to 80% of their travel costs.
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Double check the details
- If you are traveling internationally, you may need visas or vaccinations to enter your destination. Don’t wait till your trip is approved to get ahead on these, as there may be a waiting period to process documents, or you may need a course of injections. Start looking up what you need to organize immediately, book doctor appointments, and apply for visas ASAP.
- Check that your passport is valid for the entire duration of your journey.
Pack for peace of mind
- Pack any essentials, like medications, chargers, some toiletries, and an extra outfit, into your carry-on luggage in case your checked baggage is lost.
- Being hungry never helps! Pack a few snacks in case your airline meal isn’t very appetizing or you get delayed.
- Pack a power bank so you can keep your phone charged at all times.
- The last thing you want in an emergency is to struggle to find vital information. Download relevant travel apps and keep contact information for the office and key elements of your itinerary readily available online and in a hard copy format.
How to stay stress-free on the road
Be efficient with your expenses
- Losing receipts can cause havoc when it comes to organizing your travel expenses. Save yourself some major stress and take pictures of any invoices as you go. Make time to upload them to your expense reporting platformto speed up the reimbursement process when you get back.
- Encourage your organization to use a solution like TravelPerk, which seamlessly integrates with expense management tools automatically.
Get help when you need it
- Whether it’s delayed transport or a last-minute change of venue, there will be times when you need to change your plans quickly. Relying on a travel manager in the early hours can leave you in limbo or stuck on hold to customer support. Upgrading your travel management to a tool like TravelPerk can give you access to expert advice via phone, email, and chat, 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Utilizing modern solutions can also keep you safer while you travel for work. With real-time notifications, you and your boss are alerted to security concerns, weather disruptions, and any changes to entry requirements for your destination.
Stay healthy
- If you need to fly for your work trip make sure you take time for self-care during your flight. Drink plenty of water, stretch regularly, and avoid drinking alcohol to arrive feeling fresh and ready to hit the ground running!
- We all know that work trip schedules can be unforgiving. Client dinners or late-night networking at conferences can leave you feeling like you have no time for yourself. Whether you check out a local museum or have a leisurely coffee, it’s important to carve out some time to do something you enjoy and take a break from work mode.
- It’s also important to get some physical activity! Opt for a hotel with a gym or take advantage of a morning walk before you get started for the day. Regular exercise gives you endorphins and reduces cortisol levels, which will lift your mood and combat stress and anxiety.
- Drink tons of water! Especially when traveling in hot and humid destinations. Make time for proper meals. Try to avoid fast food and eating on the run where you can.
- Try breathing exercises when you find your work trip becoming too intense. Use deep breathing techniques or short meditation practices to take the edge off your stress, and factor in some downtime as soon as possible.
Keep on top of your tasks
- Nothing is worse than returning from a work trip to an overwhelming inbox! Set an out of office notification to manage expectations of response times while you are away and check in with your emails when you can. Actioning any easy wins will reduce your workload on your return. When you’re jet-lagged and playing catch up, you will be grateful for every email you don’t have to handle!
- At the end of each day, briefly note any achievements, key moments from meetings, and a short review of any travel experiences. Making a record while everything is fresh in your mind will save you time and speed up any reporting on your return.
Tips for a relaxed return
Slow down for success
- Take it easy, especially if you are returning from international travel. Tackling critical tasks jet-lagged and sleep-deprived is never an efficient use of time. Instead, focus on submitting your expenses, following up on emails, and getting back in the flow when you feel more refreshed.
- Don’t rush back to the office. If you can skip your commute and work from home for a day, it can help speed up your post-travel recovery.
- Try to exercise regularly after your trip to help combat any aches and pains from traveling and ease any remaining stress.
Improve future work trips with feedback
- Note down the elements of your itinerary that caused you stress so you can be proactive and take steps to avoid them on your next work trip.
- A system like TravelPerk allows users to flag which hotels are company favorites to help colleagues plan future trips. Alternatively, email your company’s travel manager or share your feedback with your team, especially if you traveled to a destination coworkers are likely to visit.
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