Long journeys, countless meetings and poor sleep – travelling on business can often be stressful. But it doesn’t take a lot to bring some balance to your trip. QN Europe provides five tips and tricks here on how to make your business trip a success.

TIP 1: Prepare smart

A good trip starts with good preparation. You should pay special attention to bringing proper toiletries with you: Cold medicine, aspirin and heartburn remedies can be important on a business trip. If you’re going to be walking a lot, you should also think about blisters. And it helps if you scan your documents before you leave and send them to yourself by e-mail. That way you can also prove your identity in the worst-case scenario that your luggage gets lost.

TIP 2: Hydrate and eat well

The air in an aeroplane is often very dry. So you have to make sure you stay well hydrated when you’re in the air. Water is the best choice. Avoid lemonade and alcohol. If you drink a lot of water, you’ll stay hydrated and will also be less prone to illness. Pay attention to a balanced diet too so you always have a clear head and won’t tire so quickly. Avoid greasy foods, and grab a small healthy snack instead. Protein bars, almonds or dried fruits can help tide you over when you’re hungry.

TIP 3: Movement, movement, movement

If you sit a lot while travelling on business, make sure you move around enough. You don’t need a weight room to do it. Simple exercises like sit-ups or push-ups are enough to get your metabolism going. It also helps to walk as much as possible. Choose a hotel where you can reach your office or the exhibition centre by foot. These little walks in the morning and afternoon will keep your biorhythm going.

TIP 4: Prevent jet lag

Flying long distances often means changing time zones. That can quickly throw your internal clock out of sync and lead to jet lag. It’s best to already adapt on the flight there by changing the time on your mobile phone for example. But beware: Sleeping on the plane doesn’t always help. When flying west, you should stay awake because your day will be extended. When flying east, things are the opposite: A peaceful nap is a good idea.

TIP 5: Take care of yourself

Long flights, day-long meetings, time pressures – business trips can be extreme. It’s important to take care of yourself, for example by putting on comfortable clothes when you arrive. A lot of stress almost always leads to fatigue and can make you sick. So take enough time to catch your breath even if you’re on a tight schedule.

If you follow these 5 tips, you can be sure your next trip will be a success!