If you have ever travelled on a business trip, you would know how your hands are full and work is all that is on your mind. Be it reaching out to multiple clients or making presentations or sending back reports you are always involved in something or the other during the entire period of the business trip. But that doesn't mean you have to be on your toes 24 hours a day. Certainly, you will find some time when you will not be working and that time should be spent on unwinding yourself. Indulge in something that recharges you for the next day and you enjoy the business trip without feeling fatigued or bored. So, try out these 6 ideas to keep you energized and lively when you are on a business trip.
1) Sightseeing
Business trips give ample opportunities to travel to new places that you might have never been to before. Therefore it might be an opportunity for you to explore the place. Wherever you go, the city or town offers a variety of interesting sights to see or several unique activities to do. Though you can also rest in your free time but having some fun and adventure saves you from the monotony and gives you some thrilling experiences. For example if you are in Bangalore, perhaps it is not wise to rest in your cozy hotel room in Bangalore but to explore the untouched beautiful nature all around this city.
You can either go online and research about the best places to visit in the city or you can also ask the hotel staff to recommend a few.
2) Socialize
The World is so big yet so small. It is the people and the relationships we build that bridges this world into smaller pieces. Visiting a new place, still, you are bound to know a few people there. Maybe your school buddies or your college mates whom you have missed for so long. Hell, You can also build a relationship with someone new. So ring up your friends, meet up at the bar or the restaurant or you can also get into a conversation with a complete stranger. It may sound strange but sometimes we meet up like-minded people with whom we build up friendships of a lifetime.
3) Unleash the foodie in you
There is nothing that beats the local cuisine if you want to experience the culture of a place. Hunting down for food in the streets, lanes, nooks and corners of the city will be the ultimate fun experience and you will get to know the city from its roots. Don't just feel all beat up sleepy after work. Go to your hotel room, rest, freshen up and head out. Make sure you note down the local delicacies before you visit the place. Ask your office buddies who have been here before or scurry the internet and definitely you will find the exhaustive list of dishes and the places that shell them out.
4) Shop local
We talked about food, but what about something more robust that stays with you for a longer time. You can always shop your way into the local markets and get to see new and unique things that are the speciality of the place. What better way to get a gift for your loved one from the local market. It could be something like a keychain, or the famous Benarsi Saree. The item you buy as a souvenir will always bring happy memories whenever you look at it. It will also motivate you to make a collection of al famous things from places you have visited. Amidst rising concerns on effective ways to manage work pressure, and striking a perfect work-life balance, adding ways to invigorate your mind and body during business travel is the need of the hour.
5) Follow your routine
Travelling should not be an excuse to forego your daily routine. Just because you are away from your home, you should not give up those habits that you have built up over such a long time. As soon as you can finish up your daily work, you can rest for some time and then you can indulge in some activities even while being at the hotel. For example, you can have a few sprints on the streets surrounding the hotel or you can swim a few laps in the swimming pool at the hotel. If you can't give up your workout regimen you should try to book a room in a hotel that has a gym inside its complex and you can stick to your schedule even while travelling. This will keep you energised and relaxed even after a full day's work. You can always carry your running shoes and your skipping ropes for those sweaty cardio sessions or you can visit the local sports club or stadium to have a gruelling session on the nets. Play your favourite sports like football, badminton, squash, volleyball or whatever you like and keep upright with your strict schedule.
6) Work with leisure
With the world and businesses going global, a lot of time is being spent by corporate professionals travelling. With these frequent business trips, you are bound to lose time you could have spent with your family. But there might be a fix to this so that the snake dies and the stick is intact. You can take your family along with you on your business trip and thus you can even be with your family while doing your job. This, however, can bring in several nuances. Also, you need to plan better so that your family is not a distraction to your work. You may plan for the trip in advance so that your family is occupied in some sightseeing or shopping or any thing else while you are working or they surely won't come with you next time. You can also either arrive before your business tour or stay for some time after the business tour is over so that you all can enjoy without any restrictions. Some companies do allow for families to accompany you on business trips but you will still have to keep an eye on the bills. Your company will surely reimburse your travel and daily allowances but your families tickets and accommodations might not be covered by the company. Although it is not always possible to squeeze in your family with you on your business trips once in a while can be an opportunity to have some leisure even while on a business trip.
Make sure you book a couple-friendly hotel if visiting with your wife. You can also book hotel for unmarried couples if visiting with your girlfriend or fiance.
There are a lot more ways to spend your free time productively. Even if your schedule is packed, you will still find some time off from work and how you choose to spend it affects you. You can definitely go by these 6 ideas and we are sure you won't be distracted in your job. You will have to figure out yourself what you want to do in your free time and the more you travel the more confident you will be of the idea that suits you the best.
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