5 Tips to Actually Enjoy Your Business Trips

When done for pleasure, traveling is fun and exciting. But what about business trips? Office buildings, conference rooms, meetings, numbers and reports- even if you love your job, all of these might be pretty stressful when combined with new places, new people, and hours on the road.

As challenging as it may sound, actually having fun on your business trip is possible! The toughest thing to do is always to carve out some time out of your trip that’s non-business time. If you can manage to do that (this might be more realistic for entrepreneurs who might have more of a say on the length of their trip), then here are some ways to enjoy your business trip.  

1. A moment just for you before or after your meetings

Is your back extremely tense after a long flight? Try relaxing at the hotel’s spa or find a wellness center nearby. Trust us, one hour of massage plus a few minutes of sauna can work wonders. If you’re into jogging, pack your gear and go for a run early in the morning (but as always, put your safety first if you’re in a new place). Take advantage of this moment to put your thoughts in order, recharge your batteries, and lift your mood. Look for views that will relax you in the new city, be it the sea, mountains, city life, or a lake. 

2. Shopping therapy

Despite the fact that it might seem a bit like a superficial activity, some psychologists agree that shopping can help you unwind. Just like music therapy, strolling through stores can relieve stress. Plus, you can do this everywhere your business trips takes you. Be a tourist and grab a souvenir. And who said that souvenir can’t be a nice leather jacket or a pair of boots that you’ve been dying to have.  

RELATED: 7 Ways to Strengthen Your Brand While Waiting for Your Flight

3. Watch a movie

A good comedy, for example, will disconnect you from all the work-related problems. You don’t even have to make a special effort for this. At the end of a long and stressful day, you can go to a cinema in the city you’re in, or you can simply watch a movie on your laptop. You certainly have a list of titles that you’ve always wanted to see, yet you’ve never had enough time for. 

4. Check out a few touristic attractions

Even if the main purpose of your trip is business, that doesn’t mean that all you have to do is work. On the contrary! If you’re traveling to a new city or even a city that you enjoy seeing, make it a point to be a tourist. Take a walk along the city’s main boulevard or even join a guided tour. This will help you feel refreshed, productive, and  help you mix business with pleasure. 

5. Delight in a tasty meal

One fun tradition to start is to try similar dishes in different cities. What city has the best burgers, the best pizza, or the best local beers? You don’t have to wait for a pleasure trip to have a little fun. You can even check out some well-rated restaurants together with your colleagues. 

Whether you’re traveling for work twice a year or twice a month, carving out a little bit of time to do even one of the above activities will help you make the most out of your business trip. Have a great time!