Travelling for work is not glamorous. I often get people asking me if it’s like being on a permanent holiday. I usually smile then reply something like – Picture this: feeling constant time pressure and anxiety to navigate traffic to meet your check in deadlines, hanging around in hot airports and boarding planes stuffed full to capacity with other hot sweaty bodies. It’s not a pleasant experience at all. Travelling however is second nature to me – I have always done it and this is how I manage to keep things as easy and stress free as possible.
1. Have 2 sets of everything so when you travel you just pick up your travel kit – shampoos, skin care, makeup etc – saves time especially at 4 am In the morning when you have been awake all night in case you miss the alarm!
2. Consistent routine. Wherever you are stick to the same routine including eating patterns, sleep.
3. Water is my absolute go too. When I travel I take my own metal drink bottle so I can monitor what I drink. On days I travel I aim to drink double any other day to combat dehydration. I avoid alcohol these days.
4. Meditation – I use plane time to meditate. I use an app called Insight timer where you can choose your topics and meditate off line. This calms my super busy mind.
5. Read – I used to do work but now I take the opportunity to read, or create so it doesn’t feel like work.
6. Family check ins are crucial. I aim for the same time where possible and FaceTime so we can see each other. I ask loads of questions and have set up a talk code with each of my kids that we talk about – things that we are working on.
7. Guilt is huge especially for women. I don’t justify why I travel. We talk openly about what I do, why and how it benefits the family. I also believe that it gives my children a good grounding and work identity to model for their own career paths down the line.
What I do know is that if you don’t have this part cracked it will lead to stress and burnout down the path as overcompensation is what you tend to do for others at work and at home leaving your own needs unfulfilled.
So when someone looks at you with travel envy be sure to set them straight to the point with the strong distinction beyond holiday dream travel and daily grind work travel! The analogy of domestic travel consisting of hot sweaty bodies over stuffed into a small metal carrier with little air or space should do it!
Rebecca
