Some
business trips can sap all your energy. I've been there-I've returned home to
family commitments that seemed like a chore; social engagements I avoided even
though I booked them months ago; and the regular weekend cleaning a job more daunting
than cleaning out my son's bedroom. Here are some tips to make sure it's only
jet lag you have to recover from when you arrive home. If
you've been unlucky enough to land a milk-run flight, like I generally do when
leaving Saskatchewan, you'll spend most of your departure day in airports. This
usually results in a few things:
· Your meals have been
irregular, with snacks on and between flights.
· You've
spent a lot of time in stuffy airports or sitting on airplanes.
·
The atmosphere has been anything but conducive to relaxation as you stand in line
or rush to get connecting flights. The
first thing to do after arrival at your destination, before you've even unpacked,
is to get outside in the fresh air. Walking has many advantages: it's an aerobic
exercise that conditions the heart, improves muscle tone and strength, relieves
stress, can help with back pain, osteoporosis, and many other conditions. Of
course, if you had late flights you may arrive in a strange city at night, when
it may not be wise to walk alone. In that case, take advantage of the exercise
room provided in most hotels. A stationary walking machine is standard equipment.
Just fifteen minutes of aerobic activity on it will help shake the bloated feeling
that often occurs after sitting all day in airports. Aerobic
activity also reduces stress and stress-related impacts on the body, through the
production of endorphins. Endorphins have both neurological and spinal effects,
partly by helping to improve the circulation of blood in the body. They also have
an anti-aging effect achieved by removing Superoxide from the body, and keep the
brain cells young and healthy. Once
you're done your aerobic activity, use your unpacking time as a cool-down activity,
since it's not a good idea to just flop into a chair after exercise. Not only
will you feel better knowing you haven't forgotten anything as you put your belongings
in place, but your wrinkle-free outfits will have a chance to recover from their
trip.
If
you have meetings planned with co-workers or clients later in the evening, there
are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, if you're not used to dining late,
but have arranged to get together over a meal, make sure you stick to something
small and easily digested, even if you're feeling famished-fruit is the most easily
digested of all foods, with vegetables being second. A steak is one of the most
difficult. (CONTINUE...)
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