I know this sounds like a crazy question because many of us see business travel as a necessary evil and often dread the next business trip…stuffing a week’s worth of clothes into the little rollie, the delays–especially in the winter and hurricane season–the uncomfortable (ergonomically incorrect) airplane seats, dirty chairs, the strange bed, the occasional smoke-smelling hotel room left behind by a non-compliant hotel guest, no place to recharge your devices, and of course the challenge of staying healthy amongst all of these routine disrupting dynamics.
Airline staff are stressed and worried about another round of layoffs; concession workers are often treated poorly by stressed out and nasty people, and wind up taking in out on you when it is your turn to order something; taxi drivers are now under in-cab surveillance, so having an interesting taxi conversation is no longer something to look forward to, and the list goes on and on.
As you are rushing to wrap up your work week and anxious to get to your holiday destination, whether home to family and friends, or a quiet retreat, I invite you to think about being grateful for your business travel. Despite all the “cons” there are “pros” to the travel. For example:
- You are fortunate: the ability to travel far and wide is a gift and a luxury for most people;
- The opportunity to explore new places, cultures (yes even in your own country), and experience new culinary expressions expands our minds; Revisiting the same places—conference rooms, hotels, cities, etc, and interacting with the same people, teaches us patience;
- The modern nomadic business travel lifestyle gives us an appreciation for what we want and don’t want in life;
- Interacting with so many diverse personalities, across multiple geographies, and often in strange situations, or unexpected events always makes for great stories!
I read a post today by Ocean Robbins, co-founder of The Food Revolution Network, on the science of the health impacts of gratitude—being thankful. He says:
Gratitude, it turns out, makes you happier and healthier. If you invest in a way of seeing the world that is mean and frustrated, you’re going to get a world that is more mean and frustrating. But if you can find any authentic reason to give thanks… anything at all that you’re grateful for in your life or in the world and put your attention there, an overwhelming body of research indicates you’re going to experience more joy, vitality, and inner peace.
Gratitude doesn’t just make things feel better – it also makes them get better. According to recent research, gratitude is good for your physical, emotional, and mental health. People who express more gratitude have fewer aches and pains, better sleep, and stronger mental clarity.
Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, head of the Division of Biologic Psychology at Duke University Medical Center explains that studies have shown how the expression of gratitude leads to measurable effects on multiple body and brain systems, including:
- Mood neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine)
- Reproductive hormones (testosterone)
- Social bonding hormones (oxytocin)
- Cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine)
- Inflammatory and immune systems (cytokines)
- Stress hormones (cortisol)
- Cardiac and EEG rhythms
- Blood pressure, and
- Blood sugar
So before you are tempted to curse your boss or colleague for asking you to review yet another PowerPoint presentation before you board your flight home, or raise your voice at a restaurant worker for bringing you a wrong order, or chew out an airline employee because your baggage was lost, or for whatever might set you off on any particular day or for any particular reason, say– thank you– take a keep breath–and don’t say anything else if it will make the other person feel bad. Be thankful for your business travel experiences yesterday, today, and tomorrow, which will reduce your overall stress.
To find out the brain science behind gratitude and how gratitude creates good fortune read Ocean Robbins’ full post here.
I am thankful to be back home safe and looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family. Travel safe and well during these crazy times; be thankful that you can travel safe and well.