7 tips to plan a stress-free business trip

Let’s face it, business trips can be really stressful. From changing the time zone to experiencing the change of weather, getting less sleep and usually eating outside can be a major disruption from your routine. The result? Your health can take a hit. 

Plus, you may be dealing with late flights, delays, overbooked airplanes, long lines, lost hotel reservations, and all sorts of this kind of problems that every business traveler deals with at some point during their trips. 

Yet, while business trips can be incredibly stressful, there are a few ways to plan your trip better to avoid at least those things that you are in control of. Here are 7 tips to plan a stress-free business trip: 

1. Pack light

Packing light will make your business trip a lot easier in many ways. From not having to wait for your luggage at the airport to not having to carry around heavy luggage in a location you barely know, it’s a lot easier to bring only a small and light baggage. 

Imagine this: you get down from the plane, waste at least 1 hour to get your luggage back, and then, you start commuting in a completely unknown location with a number of public transport options from trains to busses, trams. Doesn’t sound stress-free at all, right? Now imagine this: having to carry only a light backpack. A lot less stressful, right? 

Now, of course you will need the essentials with you from clothes to devices, chargers, business cards, and your laptop. However, what you don’t need that much is too many clothing items. Instead, you could bring just a few items that are comfortable and foldable that are made to be wrinkle-free. 

2. Keep healthy snacks 

Your health should be your number 1 priority no matter where you are. Thus, whether you are traveling or stay at home, it is always a good idea to pay attention to your health. Yet, when traveling, your health can take a serious hit because of the tiring travel, the change in eating habits, and the stress you experience. So, it is twice as important to pay attention to what you eat. 

If possible, have a healthy and nutritious meal right before you board on the plane because the food during your flight might not be as nutritious as it should be to give your body the energy you need during your travel. Apart from that, consider that you may be encountering problems such as late flights or delays meaning that your next meal will probably be delayed too, you should always keep some healthy snacks in your carry-on when traveling. 

Also, you should consider bringing some vitamins and pills with you as well. 

3. Plan your activities 

Proper time management is key to a stress-free business trip. Sure, there are a number of things that you can’t control. However, those activities that you already know that are scheduled to happen should be planned properly. 

Review your presentation, complete some minor tasks before their deadline, and always plan your future tasks to know exactly what to expect.  This way you will never feel pressured by time so, no reason to stress out. 

As for those things that you can’t control, you should plan ahead and allow plenty of time between your activities to make sure that you won’t be late for your meetings, flight, or events. 

4. Be prepared for unforeseen events 

A lot of unforeseen things can happen when traveling no matter if you travel for pleasure or business purposes. You are in a completely new location, with new people, laws, and a lot of new variables that you can’t control. 

So, how do you prepare for the unforeseen event? Well, first of all, you need to become aware of the fact that they might happen and that your business trip may not go smoothly as you imagine it will. 

You may lose your documents, get your wallet stolen, deal with a lost hotel reservation or have a late or canceled flight. Consider all these possibilities and think of a strategy to deal with them if you will have to. For example, bring copies of your documents, keep some money in different places from your luggage, check your hotel reservation twice before departing, and give plenty of time for your first activities after your flight. 

5. Charge your devices 

You wouldn’t want to deal with a drained phone battery right when you need your smartphone the most during your business trip. You may be needing your devices for a lot of things from getting directions to holding your presentation or contacting your clients or business partner. Therefore, make sure that you not only charge all your devices before leaving for your business trip but also bring your chargers with you.  

6. Check for Internet options 

If you are not traveling abroad for your business trip, the Internet connection shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you are getting out of your country, you should check with your mobile network operator to see if your Internet connection is also available abroad. Also, you should check with the hotel you will be staying to see if they offer a wi-fi internet connection too. 

7. Take an extra day for vacation 

Sure, the purpose of a business trip is to participate in meetings, hold presentations, attend events, and meet with potential clients or business partners. However, once you’ve done all these tasks, why not take a day or two for relaxation. Your business trip is a great opportunity to visit the city you have traveled to and learn more about the culture and locals from that location. 

So, once the business-related tasks are over, get a free day just to enjoy the location. No matter where you travel in the world, there will always be great tourist attractions to visit. Also, you may be able to find some interesting activities that you can’t do in your hometown. For example, if you are traveling to a location with a mild climate close to oceans or seas, you can enjoy experiences such as sailing and sheltering various species of cetaceans. On a flip note, if you are traveling to a location close to the mountains, you may try activities such as hiking or trekking. 

Business trip stress is quite common but it doesn’t have to be. If you take the time to prepare and plan every detail of it, you will make your business trip stress-free.