The world has indeed become a smaller place due to international air travel. If you fly frequently, especially on business trips, you can put your time to good use thinking about and planning for presentations or conferences en route to your destination.
While you may be convinced that time does indeed equal money, you may find yourself struggling to deliver when it matters most. Putting in extra hours is often taxing on your family life and causes work-related stress. So, how do you ensure optimum productivity that lets you do justice to both these areas of your life?
Frequent flyers are exposed to a lot of risks, and therefore they must insure their trip with a travel insurance policy to take care of any contingency that may arise. Here are some of our best tips on getting the most out of your long international flight.
Renew your energy with a power nap
A long international flight can help you catch up on some much-needed sleep. If you have a layover between two flights, you can still squeeze in a short nap. This can greatly improve your mental performance as well as your mood in general.
Most business executives spend anywhere between 12-16 hours a day at work. Research shows that sleep deprivation is one of the most common reasons for stress and burnout. It also contributes to poor long-term health. So, do some light stretches, listen to some relaxing music and get some well-deserved rest on your long international flight.
Listen to inspirational or educational audio
Audiobooks, webinars and podcasts offer a wealth of information that can help you improve your marketing, sales or business strategy. If you are currently considering a new project, listening to an audio-visual webinar on the subject can help you determine whether it will be a worthwhile proposition for you.
Ongoing learning and development are often key to helping you learn skills. Audiobooks are a great way to absorb new information. Inspirational audio content can help you manage stress, build better relationships and lead your team more effectively. Listening to audiobooks at 2X speed will let you absorb more information during your long international flight.
Master your inbox
Sending or reading emails while at work is one of the biggest killers of productivity. As a business leader, you may need to communicate with colleagues across the world. Reading emails intermittently throughout the day can dissipate your focus and lead to decision fatigue. This can lead to important tasks not getting the attention they deserve.
Over some time, your productivity drops significantly and affects the performance of your team as well. Use your long international flight time to respond to email messages. This can let you focus more on your own top priorities rather than getting sidetracked by those of others.
Plan your most important tasks for the week
Spend a few minutes aligning your to-dos with the most important business outcomes. It lets you stay ahead of the curve. Business meetings planned in advance tend to be more productive as meaningful decisions are more likely to be made.
By using your long international flight time to plan your week, you will be better able to deal with contingencies and make more time for personal interests and family.
Engage in a conversation
A stimulating conversation with your co-passengers can give you fresh insights into how other industries or businesses are performing. It can help you identify new opportunities, avoid pitfalls and get leads or referrals. When you arrive at your destination, you may be able to get advice on new places to visit.
Stay focused and eat well
It is important to keep your concentration and focus in order to get good work done. It is important not to consume any alcohol or adult beverages on a long international flight, as it leads to dehydration and loss of focus. Drinking water and even some coffee can help you maintain focus and accomplish work that’s important.
Airline food is not known for its quality and is usually loaded with carbohydrates. It is better to carry protein bars and snacks for consumption in flight, along with some nuts and sandwiches.
How to stay energised and fresh during a flight?
Long hours on a plane can sap your energy. To stay fresh:
- Move around the cabin every couple of hours to keep your blood flowing.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding too much caffeine or alcohol.
- Dress comfortably in layers.
- Pack a small kit with essentials like facial mist, moisturiser and toothpaste to refresh yourself mid-flight.
Travel apps you should download before you fly
Technology can be your best friend when travelling. Here are a few must-have apps:
- TripIt – for organising all your travel plans in one place.
- Evernote or Notion – for offline note-taking and task management.
- Spotify or Audible – for offline access to music and audiobooks.
- Calm or Headspace – for guided meditations during stressful moments.
- Google Translate – for easier communication in foreign countries.
- Your airline’s app – for checking flight status and upgrades.
Also, make sure you have your single-trip travel insurance details saved in an easily accessible app, so you’re ready for any surprises.
FAQs
1. How do I stay productive on a 10+ hour flight?
A: Break your time into blocks: nap, work, listen to educational content and stretch regularly. Preloading tasks and entertainment help.
2. What should I bring to stay productive during a flight?
A charged laptop/tablet, headphones, audiobooks/podcasts, healthy snacks, water, a travel pillow and your productivity apps.
3. Is it worth buying travel insurance for a single trip?
Yes. Single-trip travel insurance protects you from unexpected expenses like medical emergencies, trip cancellations and lost luggage, allowing you to focus on your journey.
4. How can I stay healthy during long flights?
Stay hydrated, move frequently, choose healthy meals and get enough sleep. Packing hand sanitiser and moisturising products can also help.
Conclusion
Being at your productive best during long international flights requires taking good care of your overall health. Investing in the best travel insurance ensures that even if delays or emergencies occur, your peace of mind and productivity remain intact. From protecting your baggage to dealing with medical care, the policy can cover a number of unpleasant surprises in a foreign country.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.