Traveling for work doesn’t have to be stressful. You can lean into a zen mindset and choose your own adventure. I call this a work-cation! What I love most about traveling for work is that it forces you to live in the moment, try new things, meet new people, and get out of the ordinary routine, while still taking care of business. Any Elvis fans out there?! As a TN native and second-generation Elvis fan, I had to slip in that Elvis reference! The goal of enjoying a Zen Work-Cation is to stay mentally positive and physically balanced along the way. Below I share tips to transform a boring work trip into an unforgettable zen work-cation. Ready? Let’s go!

Girl on the go! Here I am at BNA (Nashville International Airport in Nashville, TN) ready for an adventure.

Pre-Planning A Zen Work-Cation:

When planning a work trip, I like to check out the area I’m going to on Google Maps and Instagram first to find the best attractions, photo spots, parks, and restaurants. I make a list of places I want to see and then select my hotel based on what’s nearby. I always ask for a room with a view or a bathtub in advance. Sometimes I get lucky and get both! And I always request a window seat on the plane. Since it is a work trip, I reach out in advance to coworkers I want to meet up with while I’m in town, and get that on the books! I always schedule some free time for myself to get settled and explore when I first arrive. The trick is to balance solo time vs networking time. Even a social butterfly like myself needs time to rest my wings!

Getting from Point A to B with Mindfulness:

Practicing mindfulness teaches you to notice and appreciate the moment. Whether it’s getting through airport security or finding your flight’s gate, or ordering an Uber ride to your destination- I break down each step and force myself to only think about that small piece of the journey. I enjoy noticing the world around me. I watch the other travelers, observe the airport decor, and look for a snack that is new to me. I appreciate the fact that I’m not stuck at home with my cat like I was during the Pandemic. (Remember that awfulness?! )- I celebrate the fact that I’m out in the world, living! Check out the airport views from BNA (Nashville, TN’s Airport) and CLT (Charlotte, North Carolina’s Airport). Every airport has a little artwork displayed for your viewing pleasure. Tap into your Zen and notice it!

My Zen Work-Cation Pre-Flight Ritual:

I have flown more this year than in my whole life, and it never gets any easier. I still get nervous and nauseous on planes. I developed a pre-flight ritual that appeals to my five senses (and I also drug myself with Dramamine!). Here’s my recipe for success: Drink something with Ginger in it; roll on a little lavender essential oil; pop a mint into my mouth; breathe in peppermint or eucalyptus (Vick’s sinus inhaler works great); listen to a zen music playlist (I like MC Yogi on Apple Music); and settle in with a travel pillow and (weighted) eye mask. The weighted part is key! I just close my eyes until we are in the clouds, and then I love to take a few pics of the view. Again, I appreciate that I’m out and about in the world, living my best life.

Surviving Long Days:

I have far from perfected this part. I usually go all in on the first day of my trip and end up with a headache and feeling sluggish the next day. Being around a lot of new people in a work environment can take a lot of energy out of you. Being “on” all day puts your body into overdrive. Often you may not realize it until the end of the day. There’s the intake of new information, being in a different space than you are used to, thinking about all the things you need to get done, and usually, some socializing with alcohol is involved.

I have to remember to stay hydrated, know when to bow out and go to bed, and remember to make time for myself before bed. I make time for journaling, listening to zen music to get to sleep, and getting in some easy yoga stretches like “legs up the wall pose” - it literally is laying on the floor and putting your legs up the wall- one of the best and easiest restorative yoga poses! My anxiety gets worse the more I’m tired, hungry, uncomfortable, or frustrated I am. I limit caffeine and double up on water when that happens. If you are not careful, emotions can get the best of you, and I always want to be my best at work.

Enjoying the Work-Cation Adventure:

Let’s face it, jobs come and go, but what lasts are the relationships we build and the moments we share. If you stay focused on noticing the world around you and making the most of each work trip, you can live a zen work life and bring some intentional balance into what may otherwise have been a stressful journey. I’m looking forward to my next zen work-cation and wherever that takes me!

Below are pics from my recent zen work-cation to the lovely town of Winston Salem, NC. I got a room with a view of a mini-Empire State Building, found a rainbow crosswalk, posed next to a giant coffee pot and an old Shell Gas Station, and I even found an Elvis mural!