Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is vital to how we function in our daily activities, our ability to feel motivated and energised, and how we nurture and maintain our relationships – both on set and off.

Show Group understands that people are at the backbone of everything they do, and their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their staff and clients extends beyond corporate responsibility – it’s an integral part of the company’s culture. Likewise, the team at Show Group recognise that the film and TV industries often demand prolonged periods away from home and loved ones, creating unique challenges for those involved.

To mark this year’s World Mental Health Day, one of Show Group’s frequent business travellers, General Manager Nick Smith, joined us to share his insights and tips for keeping a positive mindset and staying productive, fit, and healthy while on the road and away from home.

If you could share just one tip for maintaining happiness and health during business travel, what would it be?

Exercise! Walk, run, and workout in a gym. Make your preferred form of exercise your happy place, your escape. Find a stress-free time to escape from work pressures, travel, and missing your family and friends. It’s great for your body and mind!

How do you strike a balance between your work commitments and personal life when you’re travelling?

Create an ‘away’ routine that keeps you on schedule daily. Make it part of your pre-departure plan and consider it when choosing a hotel. Find a hotel with pool or gym facilities or even a bath in the room. Make sure you select one close to set or your meeting location, so you can cut daily travel times and create more time for you.

What strategies can be used to stay connected with loved ones while travelling for business?

Staying connected to family, loved ones and friends is so important. A daily FaceTime to chat about everyone’s day and to say “good night” goes a long way. Or send a random text to remind someone special that you’re thinking of them, missing them and looking forward to reuniting with them.

How do you maintain your mental wellbeing and a healthy diet during your travels?

Exercise, sleep, water, veggies, healthy meal choices – forget the fries and limit the alcohol. When in a different time zone, the challenge becomes harder because of the temptation to drink more coffee, energy drinks, or eat chocolate to deal with fatigue. Limit these and eat more fruit and almonds and drink plenty of water.

When travelling, your stress levels may be higher while you deal with a busy meeting schedule, keep up with ongoing work back in the office, and miss your loved ones. It’s also important not to give yourself a hard time. It is okay to have a cheat meal or a chocolate now and then!

Considering factors like jet lag and irregular schedules, how do you prioritise your physical health while travelling?

You must make it non-negotiable. We commit to meetings, projects, project planning, conflict resolution, sleeping, eating, and travel, but we must also commit to physical wellbeing. You should always include some form of exercise in your daily schedule. The benefits to your wellbeing, mentality and work-life balance are too important. If your training time conflicts with a last-minute important career-defining meeting (or just a meeting you should take), reschedule the exercise for another time that day or get up earlier and get that walk, run, yoga class, swim or gym session in. Remember to schedule you.

Any tips for when things don’t go to plan?

Try to reschedule your exercise and wellbeing-focused plans to ensure you allocate time to this each day. Also, be easy on yourself if work, missing loved ones, and fatigue impact your plans. Find a compromise and have a backup. If you like to walk outside for an hour but run out of time one day, or it’s raining outside, book a hotel with a gym and do 30 minutes on a treadmill.

How do you ensure you get your “tourist fix” during your business travels?

Arrive a day or two earlier, get out and explore your destination. Do some tourist things and get engaged and connected with the local area. It’s such a great way to get quickly immersed and comfortable in your new travel space. Also, it provides a great conversation starter in meetings to help settle any nerves and become comfortable in conversation. It is okay to schedule you. When you care for yourself first, you can better manage everything else.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely the personal opinion of the contributors and should not be considered a substitute for professional mental health advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified mental health professional or healthcare provider with any questions regarding mental health concerns.

Show Group’s experts can help you create a travel program that provides a seamless experience and prioritises traveller wellbeing.  Contact Show Group today to experience the Show Group difference.