How to balance family and work during business trips

What does work-life balance look like on a business trip?

Balancing family and work while travelling for business can be a juggling act. With the right strategies, though, it's possible to get the most out of both worlds. So, if you’re a busy professional who travels for work and also has a family, you’ve come to the right place.

Read on to learn how to navigate the challenges of business travel without sacrificing precious family time. From effective communication techniques to maximising your downtime to get some quality moments with your loved ones. Learn how to balance work and family while traveling for business.

How can you keep in touch with family and friends while travelling?

Staying connected with your loved ones is important when traveling for work. Stay in touch with family and friends by using technology. Schedule video calls or send quick messages to share updates on your adventures.

Make time for quality conversations, too, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Consider sharing photos or videos to involve them in your journey. Set clear boundaries with work to make time for connecting with loved ones. Be mindful of expectations to prioritize what matters.

By staying proactive and intentional about communication, you can bridge the distance and strengthen your relationships while on the road.

Can you maintain an effective exercise routine during business travel?

Maintaining an effective exercise routine on business trips is all about adaptability and consistency.

Choose exercises that require minimal equipment. These exercises can be done in your hotel room or a park. Examples include bodyweight exercises, yoga, and running. Pack portable fitness gear like resistance bands or a jump rope to add variety to your workouts.

What’s more, there’s nothing wrong with actively planning your exercise sessions into your itinerary just like any other meeting. After all, they are essential self-care time and should be prioritised.

Whether it's a quick HIIT session before meetings or a scenic jog to explore a new city, staying committed to your fitness goals while on the road will boost your energy levels, productivity and overall wellbeing.

Wondering how to ensure good sleep hygiene on the road?

Maintaining good sleep hygiene while travelling is the key to ensuring you're at the top of your game.

Stick to a consistent sleep schedule as much as possible, even across different time zones, as this will help regulate your body's internal clock. Create a sleep-friendly environment by minimising noise and light disruptions. Consider using earplugs or a sleep mask, if needed.

Avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, opting instead for light snacks and herbal teas to promote relaxation. You can even help yourself unwind before bed with calming activities like reading or gentle stretching. This signals to your body that it's time to wind down.

By prioritising quality sleep, you'll wake up refreshed and ready to tackle your business ventures with renewed vigor.

Is it possible to leave work at work during business travel?

Leaving work at work when travelling for business is not only possible but essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Create a schedule for work tasks and stick to it. Make sure to disconnect from work outside of those designated times. Use technology to make communication easier and share tasks with trusted coworkers to reduce the need for constant availability.

Finally, make sure you prioritise self-care and leisure activities during your downtime to recharge your batteries and avoid burnout.

By being intentional about separating work from personal time, you can make sure you achieve all you need to without sacrificing that all-important work-life balance. Ultimately, this will enable you to fully immerse yourself in the business travel experience and return to work reinvigorated and brimming with new ideas.

How to set healthy boundaries for a balanced business trip

Hopefully, we’ve convinced you about the importance of maintaining balance when travelling for business. You’ve probably realised that it’s really all about boundaries. Setting and respecting boundaries that protect both your work and personal life will enable you to keep a healthy balance when you’re on the road.

So here are seven top tips for setting healthy boundaries when you’re on a business trip:

• Establish Clear Work Hours — define specific working hours for yourself during your business trip and communicate them to colleagues and clients. Stick to these designated work hours to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

• Use Technology Wisely — make use of technology tools, such as email autoresponders or specific notification settings to manage expectations around your availability outside of work hours. Streamline getting from one place to another by using a mobility app like FREENOW to save on journey times and protect downtime.
• Prioritise Self-Care — schedule time for self-care activities like exercise, relaxation and downtime. Make self-care a priority to recharge and maintain your wellbeing during the trip.
• Set Communication Boundaries — communicate your preferred methods and times for communication with colleagues and clients. Establish boundaries around when you will respond to emails, calls and messages to prevent work from encroaching on personal time.
• Delegate Responsibilities — delegate tasks and responsibilities to colleagues or team members before the trip to ensure that work can continue in your absence. Trust your team to handle matters efficiently, allowing you to focus on your priorities during the trip
• Limit Work-Related Activities — avoid overcommitting to work-related activities or meetings outside of regular work hours. Be selective about the events and engagements you participate in to avoid burnout and exhaustion.
• Plan Leisure Activities and Connecting with Loved Ones — allocate time for leisure activities and exploration during the trip, as well as maintaining contact with friends and family. Take advantage of the opportunity to experience new destinations, cultures and cuisines, and share these with your loved ones. Allow yourself to enjoy quality time away from work.

By implementing these tips, you can establish healthy boundaries on your business trip, keep in touch with loved ones, prioritise your wellbeing and strike a balance between work and personal life.