Loneliness: The Top Mental Health Concerns for Business Travellers and How to Tackle Them
________________________________________________________________________
Although business travel is exciting and a wonderful opportunity for personal and professional growth, it can sometimes feel isolating, especially when far away from loved ones. Research undertaken by Booking.com, suggests that nearly one in four business travellers experience loneliness 24%, among which 23% reported health challenges or sickness, 22% reported missing their family as a main cause for their feeling of isolation, and 18% reported feeling anxiety.
As the world’s leading corporate serviced accommodation agency with over 25 years of experience, SilverDoor understands what is needed to support individuals through the more challenging aspects of corporate travel.
However, before we share our top tips for overcoming those difficult days, it’s important to understand what loneliness is and how it can sometimes be intensified during business travel.
What is loneliness?
Let's first delve into what exactly loneliness is, it is important to understand that every individual's experience of loneliness is different so there isn’t a fixed definition. Loneliness as the word suggests, is the state of being lonely, however, it is much more complex than that, as expected loneliness can negatively impact your mental health. As research suggests, loneliness can increase stress and is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem. Therefore, it is vital that if signs of loneliness begin to show, it is addressed and dealt with before it spirals into a wider problem.
Putting your mental health first is important
Travelling long distances away from family and friends can already feel daunting and overwhelming, especially when travelling somewhere unfamiliar. Sometimes, without the right mindset, routine and lifestyle, individuals may begin to feel isolated. Therefore, it is important more than ever, to prioritise your needs during your business trip.
Tips to overcome business travel loneliness
We ran an online LinkedIn survey to find out what exactly travellers find useful when faced with loneliness, the results were as follows:
These results highlight that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to tackling loneliness.
Instead, it’s about throwing yourself into opportunities and tactics that allow business travellers to address them in a way that best suits them. Read on to hear what they had to say…
In the rest of this blog, we’ll explore practical steps employers and serviced accommodation providers can take to support business travellers in managing loneliness with expert advice from our SilverDoor team.
Schedule time with your family so you’re always connected
Never forget your loved ones are only a phone call away. We understand it may be not easy, especially when busy with work. Still, you must make time to contact and message your family and friends, as feelings of disconnect may occur, which can then manifest itself into loneliness. The perfect way to keep on top of this is to make a schedule of a certain time or day you’ll call your family; this requires little planning and effort but does wonders for your happiness. Although nothing can truly replace face-to-face interactions, phone calls as short as 10 minutes have been noted to decrease loneliness by 20%.
Although nothing can truly replace face-to-face interactions, phone calls as short as 10 minutes have been noted to decrease loneliness by 20%.
This is something that our head of client services, Chris Lyon, found particularly helpful…
“I have been lucky enough to travel to our international offices spending up to a month away from my loved ones. With time differences, you can easily feel disconnected from home. To help with this, I used to plan advance days and times to video call home and speak to loved ones, so I was able to still feel connected”.
Chris Lyon, Head of Client Services.
Maintain routine and stay active to remain positive
It is important to remember that our “day-to-day routines have a tremendous impact on our mental health and Many people don’t realise just how much until they’ve had their routine disrupted”.
Although nothing can truly replace face-to-face interactions, phone calls as short as 10 minutes have been noted to decrease loneliness by 20%.
That’s why it’s essential to maintain a consistent routine, even when miles away from home. This could be going to the gym, shopping and any hobbies you would do when back home which can be easily replicated. Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of depression by up to 30%. What are your health priorities and non-negotiables? Ask yourself these questions to understand what is required.
We recommend that you…
“Try not to stray too far from your routine, keep some familiarity to your day-to-day when you are travelling to help with a sense of consistency”.
Christine Wills – Vice President of Human Resources
Explore the city
Get out! Whether it’s to a restaurant nearby, visiting the landmark sites or going for a walk in a local park. It's important to see business travel as an opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn new things and immerse yourself in different cultures. Now more than ever this idea of ‘blesuire’ travel is gaining prominence, as travellers seek to combine business with leisure. Also known as blended travel, leisure trips are typically business-focused but alot of time for leisure activities, usually at the beginning or end of a business trip.
Get out! Whether it’s to a restaurant nearby, visiting the landmark sites or going for a walk in a local park
This allows you to live like a tourist, carefree which will be incredibly mentally beneficial, in fact in the World Travel Protection Survey, nearly 28% of frequent travellers said having the flexibility to add personal time to explore a destination significantly reduced burnout. As an example, corporate travellers visiting London can explore its many famous landmarks, or those visiting New York can enjoy shopping down the world-renowned Fifth Avenue.
Unsure where to start? Check out SilverDoor's Business Travel Guides for expert tips and insights...https://www.silverdoor.com/blog/category/locations/
“It isn’t uncommon for business travellers to feel lonely when on a trip even if they are surrounded by people. When you are away from home you are often away from your usual support network, and you may feel isolated. If you are in a new city, take an hour or two to explore the sights, see a show or connect with a colleague over lunch.”
Lorraine Evans, Digital Marketing Manager
Choose accommodation that allows you to socialise
Business travel doesn’t have to be a lonely experience, and you can take steps to prevent this even before you enter your accommodation. Opting for properties that offer additional amenities, such as co-working spaces, business centres and on-site for business travellers, creates opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and build friendships. Co-working spaces are becoming increasingly popular, with 50% of users reporting increased productivity and 68% stating that the environment positively impacts their well-being. These spaces not only encourage social interaction but also help reduce the time spent alone in your room, making the experience more enjoyable and productive.
Opting for properties that offer additional amenities, such as co-working spaces, business centres and on-site for business travellers, creates opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and build friendships.
Emerging tools in the serviced apartment space, such as the SilverDoor online booking tool, also make it easier for the traveller by allowing them to track their preferences. The SilverDoor online booking tool puts employee’s preferences at the forefront of the booking process, allowing them to select their preferences avoiding those properties they’ve not particularly enjoyed, or which don’t suit their well-being needs. Interested in learning more? Book through our online booking tool here…
“For all the benefits of business travel, it also has its challenges. Those who travel extensively, in particular younger travellers, are especially vulnerable to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Modern booking tools and platforms can help to tailor accommodation to the specific needs of each traveller. This can ensure they make use of the communal and social amenities at their corporate accommodation such as co-working spaces and social spaces. This is especially key for longer stays and relocations.”
Karen Hutchings, Strategic Advisor.
________________________________________________________________________
Feeling more confident and excited about your business trip? Book with the world’s leading corporate accommodation agent today… https://www.silverdoor.com/enquiry/
If your feelings of loneliness persist, professional help might be beneficial, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of the resources below.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/loneliness/useful-contacts/
https://mentalhealthhotline.org/
https://www.sos.org.sg/
https://www.samaritansinspain.com/
