How to Cope When You’re Constantly Travelling for Work
Constant work travel can be exhausting and disheartening, to say the least. Most of us just want some stability and a few nights in with a bottle of wine. However, sometimes reality can’t be changed.
When this is an aspect of your career that you simply know won’t change, it’s important to make peace with the situation and figure out how to make it work for you. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.
Hack Your Accommodation
Where you’re staying on these constant trips can play a huge role in how you feel about them. Locking yourself in a dingy hotel room every night is nobody’s idea of a good time and can leave you feeling uncomfortable and disenchanted with your setup.
Consult with your company about taking out short-term leases on apartments for longer trips. Try to look for accommodation nearby to where you spend most of your working hours, such as downtown Toronto apartments for example. In this way, you can really relax in your space, have the opportunity to cook for yourself, have people over and generally feel more at home.
Make Time for You
Obviously, a work trip is for work. But you need to remember that even during normal office hours back home, you need to take rest time. Whether this is during lunch breaks, after hours or in between meetings, try to squeeze in some time for yourself.
When you’re working in different cities all the time, there is plenty of opportunity to explore and experience different things and these opportunities shouldn’t be wasted! Book lunches at new restaurants you’d like to try, see some tourist attractions and walk around beautiful parks when you need a 15-minute breather.
Don’t Overbook
Efficiency and optimal productivity on your work trips are important – you’re there to get things done after all. Regardless of how much you need to get done, try to keep in mind that rushing around from meeting to meeting and now allowing yourself 5 minutes to breathe is only going to exhaust you and you won’t be able to give your best. Schedule your meetings efficiently, try to leave at least 30-minute breaks in between each one, and always take your lunch break.
Stay on Track
For most people, going out of town often means the death of their healthy habits and routines. No more working out, no more healthy eating and no more routines. When you’re constantly travelling, it can be extra hard to keep up with these habits and expectations.
However, when you have a crazy schedule, it becomes even more important to take good care of yourself. Try to get involved in a type of exercise you can do no matter where you are (like running or yoga), and plan ahead for all your meals so that you can be sure you’re maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet.
Take some time to figure out how to keep healthy habits and routines in your life, whether you’re at home or not. Your body, mind and work will all thank you for it!