How business travel can impact well-being

Technology has made remote working more accessible, meaning business success no longer depends on frequent business travel. Virtual meetings enable regular contact with clients in other UK regions or overseas without needing in-person meetings. However, there's still a need for business travel. Research suggests that leisure and business travellers grew at the same rate post-pandemic, with an increase of 42% between 2022 and 2023. Business trips can help you explore new markets, network and build relationships with potential clients.

Business travel may be great for your finances, but it's vital you consider the impact of business travel on your team. Business travellers can experience various mental and physical health issues, even while benefiting from professional growth and the positive impact of experiencing other cultures.

Here are a few ways business travellers' physical and mental well-being can suffer during business trips.

Sleep disruption

Due to time zone differences, business travellers can experience disrupted sleep schedules, particularly when taking long-haul flights. The symptoms of jet lag include difficulty sleeping at night and waking up in the morning, which can lead to problems staying awake during the day and issues with memory and concentration. Business travellers can also experience physical symptoms such as nausea and other digestive problems due to jet lag. That's not ideal when they're representing your company and will likely have a busy schedule during their trip.

Healthy eating

A balanced diet is good for business travellers' well-being, as it helps them stay alert and have enough energy for the day ahead. However, many travellers find eating well while away from home challenging. They may lack the time or facilities to prepare meals. Business trips frequently involve meals with clients, where healthy options may be limited. Their travel schedules may also restrict their choices of quick meals at airports, railway stations, or service stations, whether they travel abroad or within the UK.

Physical activity

Business travel can disrupt an employee's usual schedule, making it difficult for them to find time to exercise. However, finding time for exercise during business trips can reduce stress, improve energy levels, and aid concentration. Combining exercise with time outside can also help alleviate jet lag.

However, disrupted sleep patterns and tiredness can be a barrier to exercise.

Mental health

Business trips can have a negative impact on mental health as business travellers may feel isolated when away from their family and friends. If trips involve long hours with clients or colleagues, they'll likely lack time to relax and recharge, leading to tiredness, stress and anxiety.

These effects are more pronounced in frequent business travel when staff members are regularly away from home, but they can also impact staff who travel less frequently.

We've considered the potential impact of business travel on employee well-being. Your company can support employee health in various ways to reduce travel stress and support their mental and physical health. Here are a few ideas to help you support business travellers on your team.

Planning ahead

Considering employee well-being when making travel plans lets you include elements that support their physical and mental health. For example, booking airport transfers can reduce the stress of driving and parking or finding a taxi when they arrive. Consider building in rest periods when arranging meetings or booking business class flights on long journeys so staff can arrive refreshed.

It's also wise to choose accommodation that offers healthy meals and snack options or has facilities for business travellers to exercise. Using travel management companies means you benefit from their expertise and local knowledge.

Health education

Health education gives your team the tools to manage their health and well-being during work trips. Wellness programmes can include advice on healthy options when eating out or choosing healthy snacks on the move, which benefits staff whether they travel for work or in their personal lives. You can include information on healthy snacks to pack for their journey and ways to exercise in a hotel room if no leisure facilities are available.

Consider offering guidance that benefits your business reputation and employees' physical health, such as limiting the amount of alcohol they drink during meals or events with clients.

Mental health support

Regular contact with staff while they're away can reduce isolation and loneliness. Encourage travellers to stay in touch with their loved ones and give them the tools to do so, such as allowing them to use work phones for personal use.

Mental health support via an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or health insurance allows business travellers to seek guidance and advice for mental health issues. If they're travelling in the UK, you can also provide travellers with details of charities and other support services.

Flexible working

Flexible working may not be an option during trips, where staff will likely have a busy schedule. However, it can help alleviate stress and let your team create a good work-life balance by spending time with their loved ones when they return home.

You can support employee well-being by ensuring they have time off in lieu after trips that involve evening or weekend travel. Offering the option of working from home and flexible hours can also help them recover from long-haul flights and time zone differences.

Provide local information

One of the benefits of business travel is the opportunity to explore new places. Providing employees with information about their destination helps them experience local culture and can support their physical and mental health.

Consider providing details of restaurants with healthy options and information on local walking routes so they can explore during their leisure time.

Encourage physical activity

We've mentioned how education can help your employees stay well and exercise by exploring their local area during work trips. However, simple solutions are often the best ones. When booking hotels or working with travel management companies, look for hotels with a gym, swimming pool, or fitness classes for guests and encourage staff to use these facilities during their stay.

Employee health insurance

Providing employee health insurance gives your team access to private medical treatment. If your policy includes international coverage, it can provide access to telephone health advice abroad, including mental health support. Health insurers typically provide health education resources that employees can use. They can also form the basis of your wellness programmes and health education.

Business health insurance can provide your team quick access to private healthcare at home and abroad, along with resources and education to support their health and well-being. To learn more, contact us for specialist advice tailored to your business.