When it comes to business trips, no matter how exciting they may seem, they can be quite exhausting, regardless of whether you love to travel or not. Living out of a suitcase, attending meetings, and rushing from place to place while working on a tight schedule can be very challenging, especially if you wouldn’t exactly describe yourself as a well-seasoned traveler.
That being said, there are ways to make business trips less exhausting and more enjoyable while also making yourself feel at home when on the road. To help get you started, we’ve gathered a list of five life-saving hacks you can use on your next business trip. Scroll on to see what they are.
Make use of travel apps
While smartphones can be useful tools for combating boredom mid-flight, they can also be great sources of useful information when it comes to traveling. Browse around for some travel apps you can make use of, be it apps for signing documents such as DocuSign, FLIO airport guide, currency converters such as XE Currency, or expense tracking apps such as Concur.
Not only will these travel apps save you a significant amount of time, but they’ll also help you be more productive. Just make sure you don’t go overboard with downloading, as it defeats the purpose of the hack which is simplifying.
Choose serviced apartments over hotels
When it comes to selecting accommodation, there are a number of reasons why business travelers prefer serviced apartments over hotels. From higher levels of safety and privacy to personalized services and convenient locations, it’s no wonder why this type of accommodation is becoming a staple in business centers such as Hong Kong, where the need for short-term accommodation is on the rise.
Many serviced apartments for rent in Hong Kong are designed with functionality in mind, and their trendy, cozy elements certainly make you feel like you’re at home. This means that you’ll be able to relax and recharge your batteries so you can focus on work while enjoying your stay. Whatever your travel destination, stick with serviced apartments and you won’t be disappointed.
Rely on smart packing techniques
When it comes to packing for a business trip, you want to keep things simple and minimal. A business travel capsule wardrobe comes in handy in these situations as it helps you build a versatile selection of garments that can be combined to create a number of outfits. The best way to do it is to keep the colors fairly limited so you can mix and match without worrying too much about how you look.
Rely on packing cubes to keep your items organized, and be sure to roll your clothes to prevent them from getting all wrinkly. In case there are creases and wrinkles on your clothing, you should be able to solve those problems using a wrinkle-release spray. Remember to limit yourself to just one carry-on bag to avoid paying any extra fees for your baggage and spare yourself the hassle of dealing with lost luggage. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to make packing a breeze.
Travel to your destination the day before
Airports are busier on certain days of the week, and if you really want to minimize stress as much as you can, make sure to avoid days when everyone else is traveling. Monday mornings and Friday nights, in particular, are the days when things can get quite hectic. In order to avoid the chaos, head to your destination one day in advance or you can apply for a TSA Pre-Check program that allows passengers to avoid frustration and save valuable time by avoiding waiting in long security screening lines at airports.
You will be able to spend the night in peace, wake up the next morning, feeling relaxed instead of stressed out, and give yourself enough time to get ready and prepare for any tasks and meetings you’ve got scheduled for the day.
Incorporate some ‘me time’ into your schedule
When you’re on the road, you may feel like you need to spend every waking moment working. You might find yourself meeting with clients throughout the day and well into the night, and making and answering calls most of your day. This can take quite a toll on your productivity, which, if you’re not careful, can lead to burnout.
Instead of dedicating every moment of your day to work, take some time for yourself. Be it going for a walk in the morning, or taking a day off when you’re not feeling as productive as you normally do, pacing yourself will do wonders for your productivity and help you maintain a balance between work and life, which is crucial for your mental and physical well-being.
The key to stress-free business trips is doing your best to simplify the process and avoid feeling exhausted and worn down. From sticking with places that make you feel at home to relying on packing tricks and travel apps, there are a lot of things you can do to make your business trips feel less exhausting and more enjoyable. Bookmark these hacks so you can easily return the next time you’re traveling for work as they’re sure to make your trip a whole lot easier
