Marvin OnumonuWork fatigue from business travel is affecting professionals across the UK, with both travel lag and jet lag causing issues, according to Laura Busby, commercial director at Good Travel Management.
Research found travel lag was common among professionals using any form of transport, including flights, trains, road trips or boats.
Common causes were tight schedules, early starts, disrupted sleep and frequent travel.
Symptoms included: chronic fatigue, daytime drowsiness, brain fog, headaches, muscle aches and stomach issues, all of which contributed to work fatigue and lower productivity at work.
On managing travel lag, Busby said professionals should try to arrive a day early to rest and get used to their new surroundings before starting work.
She suggested that those who travel frequently should discuss with their employer the possibility of spacing out business trips, which could help staff have more time to recover between journeys.
She added that staff who travel regularly should try to match their sleep patterns with their destination’s time zone to help reset their internal clock.
Busby said: “If you’re feeling especially exhausted, taking short 20-minute power naps can help recharge your energy levels without throwing off your sleep schedule.”
She also suggested bringing healthy snacks and drinking plenty of water, while limiting caffeine and alcohol.
She recommended being well-rested before work trips, gradually adjusting sleep in advance, drinking water on flights, and switching to the new sleep schedule as soon as possible.
She added: “On arrival, change your sleep schedule to the new time zone as quickly as possible and set an alarm to prevent oversleeping in the morning.
“Avoid sleeping during the day and try to get plenty of natural light by going outside. This will help your body clock to readjust.”
