Tiny Business Travel Tips for Restoring a Work-Life Balance

Striking a good balance between work and play can be quite a challenge, but this becomes even more evident when you’re traveling for work. When on the road, our physical and mental health often end up on a back-burner, so you need to consciously look for strategies that will help you achieve a good work-life balance when traveling. In order to be your most productive and motivated self during your business trip, here are some practical travel tips to keep in mind. 

Stay somewhere cozy

Start with the accommodation, since it makes the biggest difference at the end of your workday away from home. Make sure your accommodation fits your lifestyle and has all the amenities and services that you can access at home. Honestly, it’s not very easy to find a safe space located somewhere near work, especially in densely-populated places like New York, London or Hong Kong. But, some of these urban centers offer serviced apartments perfect for long-term business travelers. These offer comfortable rooms, all the necessary amenities and plenty of opportunities to socialize with other residents. At the end of your workday, you can return to a safe room with the option to hit common areas and hang with likeminded people—it’s the perfect combination for travelers. 

Go easy with your schedule

Many people rush to maximize their performance and finish as many tasks on their to-do list as possible while on a work trip. However, if you only focus on work during your trip, you will quickly burn out and pray to go back home. Instead of doing your best, you might find yourself feeling unmotivated, sad and lacking the energy to handle your work tasks. 

So, instead of cramming as many events and meetings with clients into your schedule, you should also leave some time for relaxation. If you go easy with scheduling, you will have plenty of time to explore the destination, immerse yourself into the culture, try new food and learn about the locals and their way of life. This way, you’ll enjoy your trip much more and boost your mood, productivity and performance. 

Rent a car

At home, you’re probably used to the comfort of your private vehicle, so you can commute, hit the downtown, organize a nature getaway and similar. But when traveling, you mostly need to rely on public transport and taxis. Well, to get that glimpse of home, you can rent a car and enjoy the freedom it provides. That’s why you should consider finding an affordable car rental and grab a vehicle that will be your companion throughout the trip. With your own set of wheels, you can not only have a more pleasant commute but also get access to many attractions in the area. 

Stick to your healthy routines

No matter what you do at home to stay healthy - meditate, hit the gym before work or practice meal-prepping—your healthy routines allow you to live a balanced lifestyle. But when on the road, you might find it difficult to stick to your routines, especially the healthy ones. Still, try your best not to give up on them completely by settling for some little adjustments that will make everything work smoothly. 

If you can’t find a gym, you can come up with a workout regimen that’s easier to follow, like taking a morning jog. Or it might be hard to find your regular groceries at your new location, but you can easily tweak your diet and still meet your nutritional goals while on the go. 

Socialize

Okay, so you’ve finished with work thanks to your smart scheduling and good allocation of energy. Now, you can relax and get the most out of your business trip by searching for new experiences. Luckily, you don’t have to search hard—just seek out the locals and hang out with new people. Locals know all the best spots in the city and can show you what life in their hometown really looks like. Once you find out what’s uniquely amazing about the location, you will feel like your business trip was a complete success.  

Take a few days off when you return

After you return from your business trip, it’s smart to take a few days off to prevent burnout. Business trips are demanding in many ways, so you want to recharge mentally and physically while spending time with your family and friends. Of course, you don’t have to book a two-week vacation in Bali—a few days off for your staycation will do just right. 

If you apply these tips above, you will be able to stay in your top work shape while maintaining your well-being. There’s no perfect recipe for striking a work-life balance while on the road, but these will definitely help you on your journey.