Finding a job that suits your interests and skills can be half the battle when you’re also looking for a career that makes you happy and doesn’t bring undue amounts of stress. Many jobs require that their employees travel regularly, whether it’s driving down the road or flying across seas.
The prospect of traveling often appeals to many people, as it means getting to see new places, meet different people, and try unique foods and activities.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
However, once in these positions, people may find that their mental health takes a toll whether from jet lag, missing loved ones, having little time to oneself, or not being able to maintain a routine or healthy lifestyle.
If you’re intent on staying in a career that involves regular travel, it’s important to understand how to preserve your mental well-being. Not only can doing so improve your quality of life, but it can also enhance your productivity and success at work.
Keep reading to gain insight and advice for maintaining positive mental wellness while staying committed to a busy, on-the-go career.
Improving Mental Wellness While Traveling For Work
Those who travel for work are at a higher risk for chronic diseases as well as mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Thus, it’s crucial for these individuals to prioritize their physical and mental health to avoid these negative outcomes.
Below are some strategies that can be effective in improving your mental health when you’re in a career requiring frequent travel.
1. Attend therapy
Speaking with a mental health professional, like a therapist, can be one of the most effective ways to improve your mental well-being. A therapist can help you work through issues you’re facing at work or home and equip you with helpful coping strategies to reduce your stress.
You can choose to visit a therapist in person or online, depending on your schedule and needs. Online therapy sites like BetterHelp offer a convenient option for those who don’t have the time to visit an office due to a demanding career.
2. Make time for self-care
Self-care remains just as important whether you’re at home or on a work trip, even if you have to modify your methods a bit. While you might choose to play basketball or paint at home, you may pick activities like journaling, listening to music, or taking a long, hot bath while at your hotel on business trips.
Practicing self-care can help you relax and unwind, allowing you to be more efficient and less stressed while working.
3. Stay connected with loved ones back home
Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to stay connected to loved ones even while traveling. If you’re struggling with missing home, try giving your spouse or friend a phone call, or consider video chatting with them to enhance the experience.
Staying in contact with people you care about can help you avoid feelings of loneliness and give you the chance to ask for extra support whenever you need it.
4. Eat healthy
When you’re on the go, it can be easy to grab fast food because it’s convenient or indulge in whatever you’d like when all the restaurant options are new to you.
However, even while traveling, it’s still essential to nourish your body with healthy food options, as this can enhance your mental health and help you avoid feeling sluggish. Consider packing healthy snacks to plan for times when you’re hungry and can’t get food right away (such as on the airplane or in a work meeting).
If you’re staying in a hotel with a kitchen on a business trip, try getting a few groceries and cooking your meals instead of eating out. These small choices can make a big difference in how you feel.
5. Incorporate movement into your routine
If you’re constantly sitting in airplanes, at a desk, or in a meeting, you may grow used to leading a sedentary lifestyle, leading to numerous potential health risks. Physical activity can have several positive impacts on the body and mind including helping you to maintain focus at work, reducing your stress levels, and boosting your mood.
Whether you take the stairs in your office instead of the elevator, take nightly walks after dinner, or go to the gym in your hotel, finding ways to stay active can be vital.
6. Get enough sleep
Business travel can disrupt your sleeping patterns, especially if you’re constantly in different time zones. Thus, it’s critical to develop healthy sleeping habits and stick to them. To ensure you get enough sleep, it can be helpful to create a regular bedtime routine, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and keep the bedroom dark and cool.
If possible, go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Getting enough sleep each night can help you show up to work the next morning feeling refreshed and engaged.
Some of these tips may come in handy as you attempt to balance your mental health with a career that requires traveling.
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash
Prioritizing Your Health
It’s natural to face difficulties when trying to maintain mental wellness on top of a demanding and tiresome work schedule. Being in unfamiliar places all the time can be challenging for anyone, and it’s for this reason that not everyone is cut out to work in a job that involves frequent business trips.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, as some people have kids or other people that they’re caretakers for, health conditions that make it tough to travel, or certain needs that can’t be met by being gone all the time.
Prioritizing your well-being over everything is crucial. After all, if you aren’t mentally and physically healthy, it can make holding down a job and living a happy, high-quality life that much more difficult.
Traveling for work can have a lot of benefits, but it’s important that these advantages don’t come at the expense of your health.
This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
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