How Introverts Can Survive and Enjoy Business Travel - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How Introverts Can Survive and Enjoy Business Travel - Introvert Whisperer How Introverts Can Survive and Enjoy Business Travel Some people thrive on business travel, while it can be a nightmare for others. Especially when it comes to introverts, a busy work schedule can be challenging enough without adding travel into the mix. However, being an introvert does not mean you can’t do certain things and even enjoy them. It simply means that you need to approach them differently. For instance, airports and airplanes can be very crowded spaces, and even just the thought of driving somewhere unfamiliar is enough to get the heart racing. It is important that you plan for what you need to survive and even make your trip enjoyable. One of the keys is to communicate clearly to your employer how travel makes you feel and what you need to be successful. For air travel specifically, you might need to travel to your destination a day early to acclimate, or fly business class rather than coach to give yourself the space you need (you can even offer to pay for the upgrade yourself if need be). Plan activities for yourself on the trip, and try to get some time alone if possible. Besides communicating well, here are a few simple steps you can take to survive and enjoy business travel as an introvert. Get the Right Gear When it comes to flying, especially a long flight, having the right gear can make all of the difference. If you are traveling across the country or internationally, you will need to be prepared. Frequent business travelers carry a lot of the same items with them every single time, and there are some essentials you simply can’t do without. A neck pillow: It may seem silly, but the pillows they have on the plane are nearly useless, besides the germs they might carry. Get your own travel neck pillow to keep yourself comfortable when you fall asleep. An empty water bottle: No, you can’t bring a full one through security, but an empty one is fine, and many airports have water bottle filling stations at their water fountains. This a good way to stay hydrated, but not too hydrated (airplane bathrooms are often another introvert nightmare). Headphones: Yes, you will need to bring your own entertainment unless you want to pay for movies on the plane, or be stuck watching whatever they are showing. Corded ones are the best, as you don’t need to recharge them (meaning you also don’t need to carry an extra cord). Noise cancelling ones will work best to shut out the airplane world that can be so overwhelming. Backup power supply: This is just in case your laptop, tablet, or phone needs some extra juice while you are on the plane. Sleeping mask/sleep aids: Want to sleep on the flight? You may need a sleep aid, and even a sleeping mask to block out the ambient light, even on a night flight. You may also want a blanket in case you tend to get cold. The more gear you have of your own, the less reliant you are on the airline to provide you with the things you need, or even worse, having to buy them in the airport, which is always expensive. If you travel often for work, have a “go” bag where you keep all of your travel needs in one place. You can then just literally grab it and go. Get Your Mind in the Right Place One of the main obstacles as an introvert is getting your mind right when you are headed into a potentially stressful situation. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms, making your flight and travel even harder to endure. One way to do this is to put your extrovert face on. This is the one introverts use when they have to deal with customers or coworkers. Often your voice gets louder, you will say things you would not normally say, and you’ll also seem more extraverted than you actually are. How to do this varies by person, but often a moment of meditation or even just some deep breathing will help. Also, consider things that relax you. You can’t bring a candle, but you can bring small vials of essential oils, and scents like lavender can help relax you, while even supporting your mental well-being. Massage oils into your feet, temples, and your wrists to get it into your body, and rub some on your hands and inhale the aroma from time to time. This is a natural way to keep yourself mentally calm. Take Time for You Before and After This is perhaps the most important part: take some time alone before, after, and even during your trip if you can. Find an hour when little is going on or you have a break between meetings and take a nap, do some yoga, or even just go for a walk. Many hotels have gyms where you can work out, and they are usually not crowded during the day. Before you travel, take half a day and do something for yourself. Get a massage, spend some time alone reading, but try to charge your batteries for the social interactions you know are coming. When you get home, do the same thing. This may require scheduling your flights differently or modifying your work schedule. Do it. It’s important. Business travel does not have to be a nightmare for introverts, and can even be enjoyable with the right planning, the right gear, and by taking some time for yourself. Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lufthansa_737_interior.jpg Author Bio: Frankie Wallace is a writer from Boise, Idaho who contributes to a wide variety of blogs online. Wallace is a graduate from the University of Montana and enjoys writing about career development and job searching. 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