Travel like a pro: Tips for staying sane and productive on the go

By the end of last week, I had been on six flights. So, I thought I’d share a few of my go-to strategies for making work travel a bit smoother (or at least how I try to do it).

As a keynote speaker, travel is a big part of my job. Now that in-person events are back in full swing, so are my days on planes.

So, here are my top tips for staying sane and productive while on the move:

Prioritise good sleep

Hotel rooms never quite live up to the comfort of home, but I do everything I can to avoid a terrible night’s sleep. My non-negotiables? A pillow (yes, I travel light just to fit in my trusty compressed foam pillow that has its own travel bag), a sleep mask, and earplugs – because you never know when a noisy neighbour will strike.

Duplicate your toiletries bag

Let’s be real, packing toiletries (especially as a woman) is a bit of a pain. There are cleansers, moisturisers, serums, makeup, and hair products – and it’s a lot of mental effort for a small bag. So, I’ve hacked it by creating a duplicate toiletries kit. Everything’s decanted into labelled travel containers, and for the items that don’t pour well, I’ve bought duplicates. It’s a bit of an upfront cost, but the time and mental load it saves me every time I pack? Absolutely worth it.

Turn travel time into learning time

I bet you’ve got a backlog of podcasts, online courses, and bookmarked articles, just waiting for attention. Travel time is perfect for ticking those off. Think of all the “dead time” spent in Ubers, security lines, and departure lounges – turn that into learning time, and suddenly, travel feels a whole lot more productive (and dare I say, fun).

Bring a parka for posture

As someone who’s 5’4, airplane seats are not my friends. The seat design puts me in a permanently hunched position, and my back pays the price. A tip from the amazing woman I see for remedial massages changed the game. She said: pack lower back support. I use a scrunched-up Uniqlo parka, and now, every flight is a bit less painful for my spine.

Don’t forget snacks

There’s one emotion I cannot stand: hanger. And it strikes often when I’m travelling, especially with unpredictable meal times. My solution? Always overpack snacks. Right now, I’m obsessed with tuna pouches – they’re lightweight, healthy, FODMAP-friendly, and surprisingly not too smelly for tuna.

Mask up

Here’s my unpopular opinion: I think masking up when travelling is the only way to travel. Yes, it’s annoying. But so is getting sick. Wearing a mask at the airport and on planes has, I’m convinced, saved me from days (or weeks) of illness. And honestly, that’s a trade I’m more than happy to make.

Pack a portable charger

This one’s a no-brainer. Running out of battery when you need your device the most is a special kind of travel anxiety.

So, there you have it – my top tips for travelling like a pro. I’d love to hear yours!

This is an edited version of an article that was first published on LinkedIn. 

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