Stop making business trips more stressful and start making the most of them.
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Business travel might seem glamorous to the people who rarely have to hit the road for work, but in reality it can sometimes be an incredibly stressful experience. In fact, about 3 in 10 Americans travel for work at least a couple of times per year, according to a business survey conducted by Aries Residence Suites. Many of us are forced to do extensive work travel, and there’s simply no way around it.
If you’re dreading your next stint on the road, take note of these six little-known tips. They might not turn your next business trip into a vacation, but they’ll certainly go a long way toward making it less of a headache.
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Schedule Time to Reconnect
Being away from family is one of the hardest parts of business travel. You’re used to seeing your partner and children at the same time every day. They’re a huge part of your daily life, and you’re a huge part of theirs too. Even if you’re only gone for a few days, it can take an emotional toll on everybody involved.
The easiest way to ease the pain of separation is to dedicate a predetermined timeframe to reconnecting with family. Whether you use video chat, text, email, or a regular phone call, you and your family can count on getting to catch up at that scheduled interval each day you’re away from home.
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Never Work In Your Room
Loneliness makes business travel miserable. Being all by lonesome in a strange and new city can often make you feel like doing nothing else but stay holed up in your hotel room, waiting for the trip to end. That’s not what you should do though.
Force yourself to get out and experience the area you’re staying in. If you need a spot to get some work done, try finding a local coworking space or a perhaps even a quaint, laid back coffee shop. It’s a simple thing, but being exposed to other people instead of staying cooped up in your room can make a huge difference in the isolation you may be feeling.
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Get TSA Precheck
When it comes to flying, there’s not much to love. The entire process is filled with hassle, and one of the worst parts is getting through airport security.
However, there’s a little trick to speed the process up that not everybody knows. You can get prescreened before you come to the airport, and once you arrive at airport security, you’ll be allowed to breeze right through. You may still have to comply with some minor inspections, but getting pre-checked makes for a much faster experience.
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Understand That Non-Stop Does NOT Equal Direct
When you’re choosing flights for your trip, there’s one very important distinction you need to understand, and that’s the difference between non-stop and direct flights.
Here’s why this is so important.
Non-stop flights take off at your originating location and land at your intended destination – no stops, layovers, or other delays in between. Direct flights, however, oftentimes require a stop or scheduled landing, albeit one where you don’t have to get off the plane.
This is an incredibly frustrating lesson to learn the hard way, so choose your next flight carefully.
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Stick a Bluetooth Tracker In Your Luggage
Every business traveler has endured the frustration of arriving at baggage claim and witnessing other passengers pick up their belongings, never to see their own items come down the conveyor belt. The carousel comes to an abrupt stop and you’re stuck with none of your clothes or toiletries, only to be forced to take the issue up with the often less-than-helpful airline customer service department.
While there’s no magic spell to prevent your baggage from becoming lost, there is one simple way to locate it, in the event that it does.
Bluetooth trackers like Tile and TinTag can locate your lost luggage (or phone, keys, and anything you attach it to) with the simple touch of a button.
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Always Ask for Upgrades
Car rental and hotel accommodations are always eligible for upgrades. Every once in awhile, you’ll get lucky and have the rental agency or hotel provide these at no cost to you. However, what people don’t know is that you can often get an upgrade, simply just by asking.
By the nature of their business, these companies frequently have a surplus of available options, and if they have a nicer car or room that they know won’t be rented out and/or occupied, they’ll typically give you a complimentary upgrade.
The next time you get to the front desk of a hotel or rental service, ask nicely whether any of these upgrade options are available. You might be surprised at how effective asking can be.
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What Are Your Tips?
Do you have any helpful advice for frequent business travelers? Give us a shout on Facebook or Twitter and let us know, or drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Photo: Getty Images