Rediscovering the world around us
Travel has been in short supply this past year. Who could have imagined a time when we’d be unable to cross the borders into our next town without a rock solid reason? Many of us are sorely missing being able to hop on a plane, jump on a train, or sail off over the seas in search of new adventures.
On the flip side, not having to endure endless business trips or long commutes has been a welcome relief to so many of the workers amongst us. Swapping morning jaunts into the office with a hop, skip and a jump to the home office has made a lot of realise just how much of our lives were being taken up by lengthy journeys to and from work.
In fact, too much business travel can lead to:
Anxiety and depression
Trouble sleeping
High alcohol consumption
Poor diet
Obesity
Less time for exercise
Lower levels of self-care
Unhealthy work-life balance
Excessive tiredness
Damage to personal relationships
Our attitudes to work and travel have changed dramatically since the dawning of the pandemic; it’s likely that many of us will be travelling and commuting much less as we emerge from lockdown, and that personal travel will be back on the cards with even more prominence.
Happy travels
Travelling for pleasure is incredibly good for our form: travel broadens the mind, while the opportunity to connect with nature in different geographies is both restorative and exceptionally beneficial for our wellbeing.
If you do find yourself having to travel for work, it’s worth investing in some good self-care. Taking an eye mask for long journeys to help you sleep; reducing alcohol consumption so you feel more energised; practising mindfulness and listening to guided medications for greater calm and clarity, and making regular video calls home to stay connected to loved ones can all help to protect our form.
There’s also a rise in the number of business hotels with a good wellness provision, so if your employer is expecting you to travel on the regular, it’s worth plumping for accommodation that can help with your mental and physical wellbeing.
