How do you prepare for business travel?
There’s a lot to juggle when you relocate – even temporarily – for meetings, projects, or a short-term assignment. Competency relies on subject matter expertise, business acumen, and softer personal skills.
Compact business travel schedules typically require you to engage immediately and manage your time extremely well. Maintaining emotional balance and good mental health keeps you functioning at your best.
The events of recent years have highlighted the importance of psychological well-being. But even if you have never experienced significant mental health strain, it helps to make awareness part of your travel prep.
Culture
What is the host country culture of openness or stigma related to mental health? Are people comfortable sharing feelings and emotions, or is the topic taboo? How is stress expressed or absorbed?
Learn what to expect as you enter a new workplace and understand the local labor laws and attitudes while navigating this new environment. This knowledge will also clue you in to the challenges and motivations of the local workforce.
Medications
Pharmaceutical policies and customs regulations can vary widely. Even medications that are common in many places – like antidepressants or ADHD treatments – are prohibited or restricted in certain countries.
Consult your destination’s customs authority before traveling with any prescriptions. Your physician may suggest alternatives to banned medications. Transport any medication in the original, pharmacy-labeled bottle, along with a copy of the prescription.
How to find help
Know how to find a local professional. Your health insurance provider is a good place to start. Consult them before travel if you suspect you’ll want support abroad. Some national health schemes have established hotlines and community clinics.
On the other hand, some countries are experiencing severe shortages of mental health professionals. Practicing psychologists, therapists and counselors may not speak your language, which can make communicating about sensitive subject challenging. In such places, connecting to support back home through a telehealth session can be an excellent option.
Resources
Weathering the demands of business travel requires resilience. Mental preparation and attendance to your emotional well-being in transit contribute to a safe, comfortable, productive trip.
Take advantage of these resources as needed in your travels:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC guide to mental health while traveling.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Action Planhttps://www.who.int/initiatives/
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
Medicine regulations by country.
https://www.incb.org/incb/en/travellers/
INCB
Travel guide for controlled substances.
https://www.incb.org/incb/en/travellers/index.html
International Therapist Directory
https://internationaltherapistdirectory.com/
For more information on local resources, contact your country’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group
