13 Aug 2014 | By Sun International
Take Care of Yourself, So You Can Take Care of Business
Maintaining a constant work-travel balance can take its toll on your immune system. Shifting time zones, late nights prepping presentations, and the constant rigor of being the best version of yourself (no doubt over deal-closing dinners and drinks) can nibble away at your health.
The Maslow, Sandton's ultimate business hotel, has the necessary facilities, technology and personnel in place to meet your business requirements. With the basics covered, all you need to do is focus on the job at hand. The Maslow Hotel understands that in order to do your best, you need to feel your best.
Here are 5 simple tips to stay healthy on your corporate travels:
1. Get some exercise
The positive effects of regular exercise are hard to ignore. Not only do you improve your general health, but exercise enhances your work performance too. Even light cardio exercises positively influence brain activity related to mood, attention, learning, and motivation - which is why you’re likely to feel calmer, more alert, and better able to focus after exercise.
But just because you're out of your routine on a business trip doesn't mean you can't squeeze in a workout. The Maslow Hotel boasts a state-of-the-art cardio gym as well as a refreshing outdoor swimming pool. No excuses.
Insider tip: if your schedule is too tight for gym, do some simple stretching exercises in your spacious hotel room. Stretching improves circulation, decreases stress, and releases tension, which may help fend off injuries and illness, as well as provide a better night’s sleep.
2. Eat well
Good nutrition can prevent stress, increase energy, and enhance your work performance. But if your digestion is disrupted, so too is everything else: concentration, drive, sound reason, ingenuity and any other quality needed for effective productivity.
Corporate travel can mess with your diet. At your next lunch meeting, try to order whole grains, vegetables, lean meats and calcium-rich foods instead of high-carb options. Ideally, schedule your meetings at the Maslow's Lacuna Private Dining Room, and book an intimate chef's table. Not only will this venue wow your clients with its garden views, you can also create a bespoke (and nutritious) menu from the show kitchen, compliments of Executive Chef Dallas Orr. The Maslow has recently started offering a Banting-friendly menu, for those committed to the low-carb, high-fat lifestyle.
Insider tip: pack snacks. Curb your cravings in between meals with a stash of dried or fresh fruits, and nuts.
3. Stay hydrated
Common sense, right? Since water makes up roughly 75 percent of the human body and 85 percent of the brain, no tissue, organ or gland can function properly without it. Water is instrumental in flushing your system, carrying nutrients to your body, keeping your mucus membranes moist, and regulating your digestive tract. Even slight dehydration can manifest in headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Prolonged, it can cause illness.
Stock up on bottled water in the morning at breakfast to last through the day. In the evening, make sure you have a couple of bottles on hand in your hotel room.
Insider tip: keep it real. Staying hydrated is best when it is done with H2O or unsweetened, all-natural beverages (like green tea). Avoid sugary and carbonated drinks.
4. Get some sleep
It's a fact: people who sleep well perform better athletically, socially, and in business. This is because sleeping - or the lack of it - directly affects mood, reduces attention and concentration, and impairs decision-making abilities. Stealing sleep can also lead to heart disease, fluctuations in weight and reduced immune response. But how do you squeeze in your prescribed forty winks when you're in an unfamiliar city or hotel room, or burning the candle at both ends on a rainmaking deal?
Try to stick to a bedtime routine on your corporate travels. Instead of late nights and heavy alcohol consumption, opt for a workout at the gym, or relax in a hot bath. Flying across time zones puts your internal clock out of sync with your day-night cycle. The Maslow Hotel has block-out curtains in all of its luxurious soundproofed rooms, meaning you can catch up on some shut-eye no matter what time of day. There’s even a pillow menu, which allows you to pick the perfect pillow to ensure a restful sleep.
Insider tip: unplug your devices. Resist the temptation to answer e-mail, read texts and check social networking sites by powering down your laptop, stowing away your tablet, and putting your phone on charge in the other room. Try unplugging a full hour before you turn in for the night to help promote the proper rest that precedes quality sleep.
5. Keep it clean
You never know what germs are lurking on airplanes and in airports. Hygiene is your first defense when it comes to your health. Wash your hands as often as possible, keep your nails clean and short, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Travelling abroad may mean you require compulsory immunisations. Consult your doctor or visit a travel clinic to administer the necessary precautions.
Insider tip: carry waterless hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes with you for when you can’t get to the bathroom. This will help to prevent contagious nasties from affecting you.
Tell us: what are your tips for staying healthy when you’re away from home?