200 Amusing Tales & Helpful Tips From Business Travelers

How to Stay Energized While On the Road

200 Amusing Tales & Helpful Tips From Business Travelers Who Know What It's Like To Be Away From Home

Whether it's two nights or 12, business travel can be difficult -- at best -- a challenge. What to wear, do you pack exercise clothes, can you live without your favorite coffee? To help, Residence Inn by Marriott, has compiled a list of tips to help travelers overcome the rigors of the road.

1. "My children appreciate letters from the road, so I use hotel stationery to send them quick notes."

2. Bring your own pillow.

3. "My husband works for a large computer company and frequently spends weeks away from home. As a teddy bear collector, I occasionally pack a 'traveling teddy' in my husband's suitcase (hidden, of course, until he unpacks). It always brings a smile to his face, and strange looks from his fellow computer geeks!"

4. Twenty minute naps are essential--in a cab, on a plane, on a train.

5. "We have a tradition in our office of buying postcards for the people who don't go on the trips. It's a contest during the whole trip to see who can find the most unusual postcard to send back."

6. "I like to just drive around until I get lost, and see what I can see. Then the fun is in finding my way back. Once I was in Seattle and I discovered an old car show. I never would have known about it if I'd not gone for one of my drives."

7. "You know that old trick about picturing people in their underwear? Well, I tried it at the last presentation I had to give, and it really works. I felt instantly calmed and my stage fright was gone."

8. For a more restful sleep, don't eat right before you go to bed.

9. Drink lots of water--stay hydrated.

10. "My last 'business trip' lasted eight months. I got two goldfish so I wasn't talking to myself, and when my trip was over, I gave them to the desk clerk (who was my best friend by that time)."

11. "I always like to exercise in my hotel room, but I dislike carrying heavy weights. Instead I bring flat rubber exercise bands for resistance training."

12. "Whenever I travel to my parents' hometown, I try and take along my daughter. That way I get to spend time with her while I'm on a business trip, and she gets to see her grandparents."

13. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

14. "My rule is--if watching TV, stretch or exercise."

15. "I have a laminated sheet with a list of exercises and stretches that stays in my travel bag. As I'm unpacking I lay it out on the extra bed."

16. Try to adjust to the local time as soon as possible--whatever it takes. Be sure to change your watch immediately!

17. Try to keep your diet as consistent as possible.

18. Eat breakfast in your room so the smells of breakfast foods don't tempt you to overeat.

19. Take advantage of the free postcards and down time to write friends you've lost contact with.

20. Walk around the hotel and learn your new--if temporary--neighborhood.

21. Bring tasks from home--bills to pay, your checkbook to balance. You'll fill the time and achieve a sense of accomplishment for finishing neglected chores.

22. Keep your laptop--complete with games--handy.

23. Preview the city through online sites before you go on travel. You'll know where to go in your spare time.

24. Take advantage of the cultural activities your short-term hometown has to offer--from the Corn Palace to the Metropolitan Opera, there's something for everyone.

25. Catch up on movies you've missed--either on TV or by renting a VCR and tapes.

26. Bring your favorite bubble bath and soak the night away.

27. Find a local salon and indulge in a massage.

28. Bring along health and fitness magazines to keep yourself motivated to work out.

29. Use the hotel stairs as a free stair-stepper.

30. Take advantage of any social activities the hotel organizes--who knows who you might meet!

31. Flip through a phone book for unknown family members.

32. Before you go, set goals for yourself--for example, promise to exercise at least once every three days.

33. Find some non-touristy spots--go "local."

34. Ask the hotel staff for hints on the best places to go for entertainment.

35. Don't be afraid to try new things.

36. To personalize your room, add flowers.

37. Learn a new language--bring a study course on tape.

38. Talk to cabbies--on the way to your hotel, when going to meetings, dinner. It can be pretty inexpensive entertainment.

39. Catch up on those books you "always meant to read."

40. Enlarge your T-shirt collection--go souvenir shopping.

41. Find a real souvenir, something that can only be found in the city you're visiting.

42. Bring small, portable exercise equipment with you.

43. Bring a bathing suit for the hot tub (...an energizing night activity).

44. Go for a brisk morning swim.

45. Locate a nearby grocery and stock up on healthy treats--it's better for you, and you save money.

46. Call home.

47. "I bring my portable stair-stepper with me--a quick fifteen-minute workout and I'm ready to face anything."

48. Meditate--bring tapes of the seashore or falling rain along to tune out the surroundings.

49. "Believe it or not, vegging out in front of the TV helps. I can put work aside and clear my brain."

50. "I never travel without my favorite kind of coffee. It perks me up and also reminds me of home--a double bonus."

51. Or, conversely, find a new favorite coffee at the local espresso bar.

52. Order out for Chinese food.

53. Practice elaborate hairdos.

54. "I write in my journal--I take it everywhere I go."

55. "I take at least one half hour during my trip to take interesting photos--my camera gives me a different perspective on the world."

56. "Rather than depend on local radio (and possibly poor reception) I take my CD player with me wherever I go. That way I'm guaranteed to like what I hear."

57. Listen to books on tape--they're often less bulky than the real thing.

58. Before you go, locate at least one friend or relative (or maybe a friend of a relative) living in your destination and set up a lunch date. You'll have something (and someone!) to look forward to.

59. Unpack. It not only minimizes wrinkles, but makes the hotel room more your own.

60. "Map out some time for yourself and do some exploring. I have had some wonderful 'mini-outings' on business trips, including renting a car and checking out Indian reservations, Cape Canaveral, going on a 'sighting' with the director of Bat Conservation International, touring the Alamo. This also gives you more common points to share with whomever you are there to do business with."

61. "Unless room service is still a treat, leave the room to eat. On occasions when I've come in the night before and am on my own I'll try and find a nice restaurant--it could even be in the hotel--and treat myself to a lovely dinner. I spent a great evening in New Orleans at a window table watching a wild parade going by and chatting with another traveling executive who was also dining alone."

62. If you golf, check out some of the many public courses where you can play and socialize.

63. "I knew one executive who loved to hit the batting cages in a client town he had to visit regularly."

64. Check to see if the alarm clock works and even if it does, request a wake-up call. This way you will be able to sleep securely.

65. "Promise you won't laugh...but I bring my 'blanky'! Yes, that's right--a small (baby) blanket that I keep on my bed at home goes with me when I travel. It helps me feel more 'at home,' like I'm sleeping in my own bed and not in some strange place."

66. "I always travel with my jump rope--it's light to pack and I always get a good workout even when traveling."

67. Avoid meeting clients in the hotel lounge--go easy on social hour freebie food.

68. Pack proper fitness clothes--think positively.

69. Buy yourself a toy--"Every trip I take I buy myself something special as a treat. My last trip I found a TV remote control that works from your watch!"

70. See a local concert.

71. Take in a ball game.

72. Randomly choose a nearby town before you go and try to fit it into your trip.

73. Find a charter fishing company and go out for a day (or even an hour) of fishing.

74. Set yourself a goal for the number of people to meet each day on your trip--then meet that goal.

75. "I like to read self-help books on my trips, things that improve my positive attitude."

76. "I always bring a picture of my family, and unpack it first thing."

77. "Get out of your 'box' and do something out of character. I have a friend who pretends to be a different person each time she travels. It certainly livens up her trips!"

78. Invite family members to join you during the weekend or at the end of your trip and make a vacation out of it.

79. "I treat myself by arranging for flowers and champagne to be in my room when I arrive. Usually I've forgotten about it by the time I get there, so it makes arrival much more enjoyable."

80. "I try to upgrade to first class or spend time in the airline club. It really helps me avoid the stress of travel."

81. If you're renting a car, spend a little extra and treat yourself to a convertible or a sports car.

82. Try a kind of restaurant that you would never go to at home.

83. Take a catnap between meetings.

84. Meet new people at the hotel's social hours.

85. Play board games with other guests.

86. Buy a plant to liven up your room.

87. Drive to the best part of town and take a house tour.

88. When in New York, be sure to take a cab ride!

89. Try to arrive with some spare time before your first meeting to relax and get acclimated.

90. Sit in the lobby and people-watch.

91. Just keep reminding yourself: it can't last forever!

92. Don't overeat just because the company's paying.

93. Be flexible about your schedule.

94. Don't forget a set of casual clothes so you can be comfortable when the meetings are over.

95. Don't push yourself too hard.

96. Don't skip meals.

97. Don't schedule activities too close together.

98. Be tolerant of local customs and accents.

99. "This may sound pessimistic, but I like to imagine the worst case scenario. Then when it doesn't happen, I'm pleasantly surprised."

100. Stay in your routine as much as possible.

101. "When I was in Durham, we took some time to visit some local gardens and just walk around."

102. "I like to look at my trips as a vacation that just happens to have work with it. To me it's just another adventure."

103. Ask for a description of the room you're reserving--if it's not what you want, don't be afraid to ask for a change.

104. "Whenever I travel west, my husband gives me a wake-up call. It's a nice way to keep in touch, and much better than a travel alarm."

105. Daydream about the places you'll go with the frequent flyer miles you're earning.

106. "Find a hotel you like in each city you travel to, and then stay there regularly. You always know what to expect, and the hotel staff gets to know you, which always makes for better service."

107. "I like to think about all the things I don't have to do while I'm away--cooking, cleaning, other household chores."

108. "Business trips by myself give me a time to focus on me. I'll see a movie I want, for example, without having to take everyone else's thoughts into consideration."

109. "I like to save escapist books to read during my business trips. After a dull day of meetings, that's my treat."

110. Bring earplugs to combat unfamiliar noises in your new surroundings.

111. Arrange to have your mail forwarded to your hotel before a long trip.

112. "My family occasionally sends me copies of my hometown paper. It keeps me in touch with what's going on back home."

113. Even if you're going to rent a car, find a hotel that will pick you up at the airport. Then you can deal with any rental car hassles after you've checked in and gotten settled.

114. Learn more about the history of the city--take a history tour.

115. Bring an extra bag with you--for anything additional you accumulate.

116. "My family leaves voice mails for me in my room so that when I return from a hard day, I know I've got their voices to look forward to."

117. "I feel more secure on the road when I know everything at home is being taken care of."

118. "I've celebrated anniversaries on the road. It can be sad when it happens, but my husband brightens those occasions up by always sending flowers to my out-of-town job."

119. "I play a game I call 'probe.' Every trip I choose a career--doctor, lawyer, flower salesperson--and make it a goal to meet at least one person with that job by the end of my trip."

120. Take your hobby on the road--find a local club that caters to your hobby and meet some locals who share your interest.

121. Buy a copy of USA Today to keep current with what's going on back home.

122. Find a local flea market--what's junk in Biloxi might be gold in Battle Creek.

123. "Whenever I get upset about a business trip, I think about how it's advancing my career goals, and it puts the whole thing in perspective."

124. While you're at the airport, buy one postcard for each night you'll be away. Then send one each night to your family members. As your stack grows smaller, you'll realize how much closer you are to going home.

125. "I make it a game to look for the absolute tackiest souvenir I can find. I've got a whole room full of them now."

126. "This may sound silly, but I never travel without my lucky pen. I can't work without it, but with it, I can work wonders!"

127. Isometric exercises can keep your muscles toned, even while you're sitting in a meeting.

128. Learn a new kind of solitaire.

129. Invite another solo diner to join you for a meal--make a new friend.

130. Needlepoint.

131. "I find that painting clears my mind and relaxes me. When I travel for long stays, I have a little miniature water-color kit I take along."

132. If you're a chess player, find a city park with tables and challenge someone to a game.

133. "On my longer trips (three weeks or more) I like to buy a model of some kind. I put it together at night, and then when I leave I give it to a child of a hotel staff member."

134. Buy a puzzle at the airport when you arrive (or bring one with you) and put it together during your stay. Leave it in the room for the next traveler, or donate it to the hotel.

135. "I like to knit when I travel--I don't ever have time for it at home, but whenever I'm away I indulge in my hobby."

136. Sew a quilt square commemorating the city or town you're in. After several trips, you'll have enough for a whole comforter.

137. "I bring a special nightlight whenever I travel. I always sleep better with it on, and that means I work better."

138. Make sure your hotel has a refrigerator. Then you can save money--and eat healthier--by buying food for your room.

139. "I never forget my travel iron. I feel I work better when I look my best."

140. Try to arrive the night before your meetings start. Then you can get a good night's sleep before you begin.

141. "I like a mug of warm milk before bed. It helps me fall asleep in an unfamiliar environment."

142. "My motto during business trips is: Don't sweat the small stuff. And remember, most stuff is small!"

143. "I avoid going out to eat as much as possible, then I get to pocket the difference in my food per diem."

144. On longer trips, have your family make home videos and overnight mail them to you. Better than pay-per-view any night!

145. Search out one of the new "internet cafes" in town, and send electronic mail back home.

146. "I like to write poetry in the evenings when I travel. Business trips give me the time to myself at night--something I never get at home--that is necessary to clear my mind and write."

147. Order an ant farm for longer stays--watching the toiling ants can be quite relaxing, and also puts some perspective on your own work situation. Just remember--don't release the ants in your room when your trip's over.

148. "I like to write short fictionalized stories about the people I meet during my trip, always using the locale as my setting."

149. If you're in a hotel with a kitchen, bring along your favorite recipe to remind you of home.

150. Practice positive visualization.

151. Buy a copy of the local paper to get a feel for what's going on in your adopted hometown.

152. "I never bring along my workout clothes. That way, I can't feel guilty when I see them sitting unused in my suitcase."

153. Give yourself a manicure.

154. "I like to take study courses by mail. Working on something besides my job keeps my mind refreshed, and it's something that travels well."

155. "I make a game to see how many business cards I can collect during each trip. I give myself two points for each new company, one point for each name from a company I already have, and three points for someone from out of the country."

156. "My grandson has a train collection, including tracks and everything, so each trip I try to find him something representative of the city to add to his layout."

157. For longer trips, pick up an old text book and read up on a new subject

158. Visit a playground and revisit your childhood. Swinging and climbing are great ways to shake off any tension.

159. Most towns have a local zoo--walking through one for even an hour is a great destressor and good exercise as well.

160. Sit-ups and push-ups keep you toned and require the minimum of equipment--just you and your will power!

161. Find a local pool hall and shoot a few rounds for relaxation.

162. Revel as a rebel--skip a meeting and enjoy playing hookey.

163. If your hotel has cable, spend some time with the local cable access channel.

164. Depend on your day planner to stay organized.

165. "I have a list of things to pack. Before each trip I pull it out, add items just for that trip, and I'm set. That way, I never have to worry about what to wear or bring."

166. "My rule is to never bring more than one pair of shoes. It simplifies my dressing each morning, and makes my bag that much lighter."

167. Hang or prop up a calendar in your room--you can track how much closer you are to going home.

168. "A few years ago, my kids gave me a life-sized cardboard cut-out of a dog that looks like our toy schnauzer. I started taking it on my trips, so now I have a traveling 'pet' to brighten up my room."

169. "Believe it or not, the most relaxing activity I practice is cleaning. So even when I'm traveling I take at least fifteen minutes a day to tidy the room, clean my dishes, etc., to clear my head and take a break."

170. Don't forget a little package of detergent--you can do a little laundry in your room.

171. "I have a spoon collection, so it's always fun to find a new spoon on each trip."

172. Take along your favorite movie.

173. Learn a new dance step--bring along a teaching video.

174. Spend some time exploring everything that laptop can do--refuse to "just get by."

175. Master a new machine. If your hotel has a weight room or provides health club privileges, pick one machine you've never used before and add it to your repertoire.

176. If you're a runner (or walker) set yourself a mileage or minutes goal for the trip--and increase it on each trip.

177. Don't forget to say "I love you" at least once a day--to your kids, to your spouse, to your parents.

178. Keep yourself mentally alert--watch Jeopardy! when you can.

179. If you take prescription medicine, get it refilled before you go--finding a pharmacy in a strange town can be difficult.

180. Get up early one day and watch the sunrise.

181. "I find that doing crossword puzzles at night not only gets my mind off work, but also keeps my brain in shape to face another day."

182. "My children and I have a Saturday morning cartoon-watching tradition, so whenever I have to be away over a weekend, I tell them to pick their favorite half-hour show, and we watch it together over the phone. I wouldn't miss this tradition for anything."

183. "For my birthday last year I got one of those digital cameras. When I travel, I take pictures of myself, my surroundings, whatever, download them into my laptop, and e-mail my family. We're definitely a high-tech family!"

184. "My husband of one year faxes cartoons and doodles to me at my hotel. They always make me laugh--and of course think of him."

185. Practice yoga for relaxation.

186. "I began practicing T'ai-Chi a couple of years ago, and have found that starting each day with even fifteen minutes of calm exercise keeps me motivated throughout the entire day."

187. Surf the Web.

188. "It may sound juvenile, but I bring along one of those hand-held computer games. A few games each night help me relax--and let out the numerous frustrations that can build up!"

189. Make use of the free shoe shine if the hotel offers it.

190. Call ahead and make sure the hair dryer will be in your room upon arrival.

191. Use the sauna.

192. Pack your briefcase before going to bed.

193. Use the hotel laundry bag for your dirty clothes. That way, all your dirty laundry is in one place.

194. Pack your shampoo and leaky items in a plastic bag so you don't have to spend time cleaning items that have exploded mid-flight.

195. Have a separate bag of all your toiletries (toothbrush, shampoo, razor, etc.) so that every time you pack for a trip you just throw the bag in your suitcase and don't have to pack that little bag over and over again.

196. Keep a list of important dates and a selection of cards on hand so that you'll never miss celebrating an occasion, even when you're traveling.

197. Hold your leg up straight, or keep a muscle flexed under the boardroom table to help stay alert - or to keep from falling asleep during a meeting.

198. Leave a pad and paper on your bedside table for ideas that strike in the night.

199. Take along eye drops for tired eyes.

200. Bring some of your children's favorite books on the trip--then you can read them a bedtime story from the road.

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These tips are a result of focus groups held with extended stay business travelers. © 1996 Residence Inn by Marriott