Carefreetrip.com Travel Blog

The Blackberry Balm Hand Massage, at Hyatt Pure Spas throughout the US and Canada, is intended to relieve pain at the base of Blackberry users’ thumbs - pain which comes from business travelers’ overuse of their Blackberry. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, Blackberry Thumb is a stress-related injury stemming from overuse of any handheld PDA. I guess it got the moniker “Blackberry Thumb” because it’s only makes sense!

Blackberry Thumb seems similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, what with the pain, numbness and tingling symptoms. Medical treatment of Blackberry Thumb is similar to that for carpal tunnel syndrome as well; resting or strapping the thumb, cortisone injections, etc. But before you get your Blackberry-loving self into a panic, remember; this is a repetitive motion injury, easily nipped in the bud by cutting down on your Crackberry addiction and, perhaps, making a reservation at a Hyatt for your next upscale business trip. An appointment at the Hyatt Pure Spa for a Blackberry Balm massage may be all you need to feel better. And, since it’s a work trip, time in a Luxury day spa can be written off as a work expense.

Packing light is an art form that many business travelers wish they possessed. Mastering the technique of packing just the right items for business trips is harder than it sounds for many travelers. You do not want to pack too light and end up at the corner convenience store picking up forgotten items. On the other hand, you do not want to be lugging around a heavy suitcase with unnecessary belongings. That said, we have compiled techniques for efficient packing to help you with this challenging task.

The first thing you need to do is make a must-have travel checklist. This list will serve multiple functions. A packing list eliminates the panic of last-second packing, serves as a guide for repacking at the end of the trip, and can be useful in the unfortunate event of lost or stolen luggage.

When planning what clothes to bring, consider what can be mixed and matched and what can be done without such as heavy or bulky items. It is also helpful to make a list of the events you will be attending and plan an outfit for each activity. Pick clothes that coordinate well together, based around complimentary colors. For eveningwear, dark colors are your best bet. And last but not least, dont forget to check the weather forecast!

Whew! Your list is now done; however, there is still more to do. Lay out your outfits to make sure you do not have any single-use items or extras. If possible, remove those items from your list. Contact the hotel you are staying at to see what in-room amenities they provide, i.e., hair dryer, shampoo, lotion, etc. If they have it, you can leave it at home.

For toiletries you must have, keep a travel kit perpetually stocked in a waterproof case. There are also a few incidentals that are important to bring such as a first-aid kit, aspirin, Ziploc bags and a small bottle of Woolite. Once your travel kit is complete, pack it in your carry-on bag.

Now that you have made your must-have list and made your travel kit tucked away in your carry-on bag, it is time to start packing your suitcase. The first thing to do is to iron everything, an unpleasant but necessary task. By doing so, the chances of your clothes coming out neat and pressed are improved. Also, button all buttons and zip all zippers.

Folding your clothes properly will also help keep your outfits in tack and reduce the amount of space they take up. You can interlock your clothes by overlapping two pieces of clothing flat and then fold them into each other to aid in defying wrinkles. Or, you can fold and stack clothes placing items to be worn first on the top. Pack tight to eliminate wasted space and reduce wrinkles. Dont forget to stuff small items inside of shoes.

Once you arrive at your destination, unpack immediately to reduce wrinkles. Be sure to pack the suitcase for the return trip exactly the same as you originally did. Do not roll up dirty clothes as it takes up more space.

Our internal body clock is regulated by circadian rhythms that respond to daily cycles of light and dark. When we travel over time zones, these abrupt changes confuse the body clock and cause the symptoms known as jet lag.

The ill effects of jet lag can include fatigue, grogginess, irritability, upset stomach, headache, disturbed sleep patterns, swollen limbs, dehydration and lack of concentration. Symptoms seem to be worse when crossing three or more time zones and when flying east. Also adults on fixed daily routines seem to suffer more from jet lag than those who can readily adjust to changes. The following simple strategies can go a long way to reducing the side effects and discomfort of jet lag, while in flight and upon arrival at your destination: Pre-Flight

• Drink plenty of water beforehand as dry cabin air can cause headaches, dry skin, nasal irritation and dehydration
• Try to get a good nights sleep. Stress and anxiety can cause headaches, upset stomach and disturb sleep patterns

On Board

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine in coffee, tea and soft drinks
• Use an eye mask, ear plugs and an inflated neck pillow to help induce sleep
• To stay awake, eat a high protein meal of meat and vegetables
• To sleep or nap, eat a high-carbohydrate meal with rice, bread, pasta or noodles
• Remove your shoes to minimize swelling and wear loose, comfortable clothing

At your Destination

• Set your watch to your destinations time zone
• Adjust meals and sleep time to the local time. If necessary, take a brief nap of no more than two hours
• Take a walk outside. Sunlight and exercise help reset your natural circadian rhythms

Travel is a fact of life, whether for business or for pleasure. For many business people, frequent travel is a frequent event. Over time, seasoned travelers have been able to come up with ways to simplify being on the road. However, in today’s changing economy, many people are experiencing job and career changes. As a result, the friendly skies are full of those who are new to business travel and finding themselves overwhelmed and exhausted. Here are ten steps to make your travel simpler and less time-consuming.

1. Make a list of all the products you use throughout the course of an average day. (shower gel, deodorant, shampoo, moisturizers, hair spray, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, etc).

2. Take your list with you to the store and purchase one of every product on your list in a trial size. Also buy a small inexpensive hair dryer, a mini shower scrubbie and an extra small comb or brush. At the same time, purchase a travel case large enough to accommodate all these new items.

3. After Shopping, put a handful of cottonballs, swabs and safety pins into three separate baggies. Pack your new travel toiletries and your baggies into your travel case and keep it packed this way and stored in your luggage at all times.

4. After you return home from each trip, refill your travel size toiletries then put the newly replenished bag into your suitcase until your next trip. You will never have to pack toiletries for travel, if you always keep this bag packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

5. Roll clothing into cylinders when packing. It takes up less space and it will help keep wrinkles down. Also, roll socks and underwear up and stuff them inside your shoes. Not only will it make more space in your luggage, but it helps keep your shoes from getting crushed.

6. Pack clothing that resists wrinkling, such as polyester blends, wool blends, microfibers, silk, and rayon. Avoid packing 100% cotton or linen when possible.

7. To avoid having to bring two pairs of dress shoes, choose one neutral color and build your wardrobe around it. Don’t bring outfits based on both black and brown, because then you’ll need both black and brown shoes and belts.

8. Bring one suit and several pieces to change its look. Men can wear the same suit with varying color shirts and ties. Ladies can create several different outfits from just one skirt, one jacket, a pair of coordinating pants, and a few blouses.

9.Call your hotel ahead of time to ask if they will provide personal items such as an iron, clothing steamer, and hair dryer. If so, you’ll have extra room in your luggage for other things.

10. Carry on your important documents, toiletries, medications, and one change of clothes in case your luggage gets lost. Traveling can be simpler and go smoother if you create an effective system and follow it consistently.

This article was written by Monica Ricci. Monica has been an organizing and productivity specialist since 1999. She offers onsite consulting, as well as motivational seminars and workshops, which teach effective organizing and simplifying and effectiveness strategies for home and work. Contact Monica at www.CatalystOrganizing.com.

Business travel takes you away from home and loved ones and can cause all sorts of unexpected issues. Make your travel easier with these time-tested tips written by Marybeth Bond for iVillage that every business women should read.

1. Sleep smart
Dark circles under your eyes aren’t good for business. Many road warriors know that you can only use a certain amount of concealer to cover bags under your eyes to mask jetlag or poor sleep nights in strange hotel rooms. So carry eye masks and earplugs. Wax earplugs are better than the little foam ones. They are often sold as a swimming accessory and work well to mute noise, snoring and annoyingly chatty airline passengers. Invest in a blow-up pillow to sleep soundly on planes. They also prevent your hair from being flattened as you sleep.

2. Carry rations
The airlines are starving us! If your flight is delayed or has mechanical problems, you may spend hours on the runway or circling in the air while your stomach is screaming. Airlines offer little more than the tiny, salty rations of peanuts or pretzels for short flights. Carry a nutritious and filling power bar and an apple in your bag.

3. Wake up right
Hotel alarm clocks and wake-up calls can be unreliable. Pack an inexpensive sports watch with an alarm and a stopwatch. The stopwatch is useful for your workout on the exercise bike in the hotel fitness centre or to time your bubble bath. If you carry a pager, find out if it has an alarm function and learn how to use it.

4. Pack lightly
If you need to be dressed in business attire for a meeting the same day you travel, wear it on the plane. Always assume your luggage may be lost and be prepared. Don’t put yourself in the awkward and expensive position of being dependent upon taxis and tip-hungry porters. Pack the least amount of clothes and shoes you think you can survive on. You can wear the same mix-and-match outfits day after day. Leave room in your bag for the Shopping treasures you can’t resist along the way.

5. Take dark clothes
They don’t show stains, wrinkles or dirt, and work for most situations.

6. Cut down on shoes
How many shoes does a business traveller pack? Too many, usually! If the shoe fits, wear it … don’t carry it. Wear the shoes you’ll need for business and pack one pair of trainers for walking, jogging or informal occasions.

7. Shop without guilt
Spend some money on yourself and buy presents and cards for your loved ones’ upcoming birthdays.

8. Communicate with home
It is unproductive to leave messages on answering machines. If you are travelling to a different time zone, you may wake a grumpy loved one in the middle of the night. The easiest and cheapest way to communicate home from most countries is via fax. Sending a fax costs less than a long distance call and you don’t have to deal with time differences. Leave your hotel fax number with friends and family. If you prefer email, set up free email accounts for your kids and send them notes and postcards.