While most people enjoy traveling, not everyone really likes the travel part—the six hour airplane ride or the 50 minute train ride. But for the business professional whose career involves frequent travel, there are several smart ways to enhance the experience of the trip. Here are 10 things that will help you enjoy your next business trip.
- Download Video
Prepare for your next trip by downloading a new film or a few episodes of your favorite show. You can enjoy video from a high resolution tablet, laptop or phone. Make sure your data plan can accommodate this and then have fun catching up on the latest flicks and episodes.
- Bring Music
Most people don’t leave home nowadays without their favorite tunes stored on a smartphone or mp3 player. Subscribe to services like Spotify to provide endless hours of musical entertainment from your favorite songs to discovering new artists and recently released albums.
- Headphones
The key to enjoying relaxing music or a good film is a pair of 5.1 surround sound headphones. Tune out and tune in with comfortably padded headsets designed to cancel outside noise and transform your listening experience.
- Hydration and Snack Time
There is nothing worse than that groggy just woke up from a nap feeling that so often accompanies travel. Make sure that you are properly hydrated before and during a flight to help your body feel at its best. Save a few minutes before your flight to grab your favorite iced tea or a smoothie to sip on the plane. Drinking plenty of healthy fluids can help a lot.
While you are picking out your favorite drink, pick up a bagel, trail mix or some other light snack to satisfy you during the trip. Most trains and plains no longer provide satisfying complementary eats. So choose something that is filling and healthy and enjoy munching during your passage.
- Request the Right Seat
If you are booking in advance, then make sure you look for a seat with extra leg room. You can also get a little free space by volunteering to sit near an exit. And if your company is paying for the trip, convince someone to bump you up to first class.
- Something to Rest Your Head On
Perhaps you’ve laughed before at those funny looking donuts that people squish around their necks. But if you have every tried a neck pillow, then you know that the comfort of using one far outweighs any goofy appearance. Allow yourself to rest and maybe even take a nap with this fluffy little accessory.
- Digital Reading
Time spent on an airplane or other mode of transportation can be a useful period for catching up on industry blogs or learning something new from your favorite mobile technology blog. A great way to foster creativity and enable your ability to think of good solutions is to spend time reading from other professionals in the field and sharing ideas. With Wi-Fi available on most forms of transportation, traveling can provide the perfect chunk of time for perusing blogs you can’t normally find the extra minutes to follow.
- Easy Luggage
If you travel frequently, then you have probably already invested in good luggage. A rolling suitcase that fits as a carry-on is a blissfully easy way to navigate the airport. And for short trips, it can allow you to skip the annoying wait at baggage claim as well as the rising cost of checking a bag.
- A Good Book
If you are on a long flight, then there is almost nothing that can make time fly like a gripping read. Whether it’s on your e-reader or is an actual paper and binding book, finding a page turning, can’t-put-it-down story is a good way to enjoy a long trip.
- After You Arrive
Once you have landed or come into the station, maximize the trip by stealing a few hours to enjoy the city you are in. Visit local food eateries for meals. Find a historic monument of building nearby and take a quick tour. Any little thing that you can sneak in along with meetings and conferences can help to relieve the weariness of traveling long distances for short spurts of time.
With these tips in mind, you can have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience the next time work takes you on a business trip.
Image from vimeo.com