Returning Home

Returning to the office after a business trip can be a very busy and demanding time. Not only do you have endless non-urgent telephone calls to return, but also you are well on your way for an award for "the-most-unanswered-e-mails-in-your-inbox". Alongside work are the emotional links and relationships that await you at home, laden with 'fix-it lists', homework and "we-need-to-spend-more- time-together" requests. Combining business travel with being a super person outside of work is demanding and requires good planning and forward thinking to adjust from one scenario to another on your return home.

Welcome Home…

Try to plan a few hours to rest when arriving home to give you time to adjust. A warm shower is a good way to get refreshed if you need to get straight back into work. A hot bath is great if you can relax the body - however you might find it hard to get going again!

On arriving home change your watch to local time. Try to adjust immediately to home food and sleep patterns. Exposing yourself to bright light is believed to help your body return to normal cardiac rhythms. Some travellers have seen positive effects using melatonin, but you should discuss its suitability with your Travel Health advisor.

Realise that adjusting to being at home might take longer than when you arrived at your destination.. There are many suggestions and discussion on the issue of jet lag and many proficient travellers will have an established routine and way of dealing with it. But despite any suggestions to the contrary, the body still needs to adjust and it is essential to rest after any flight.

Try to allow yourself time when you arrive back to sort out things at home prior to returning to the office. Make a habit of getting those at home to make a list of things that need dealing with on your return and make an appointment to work through the list. It is better to plan time to sort them before returning to work - rather than being faced with an endless list of things that need attention after a busy day in the office.

Relationships need work too

If you have a young family, plan on never being away for more than a week or two, if you can help it. On your return make those at home feel important. You might have been working hard, but you can be sure that those at home have as well. Flowers or chocolates work wonders for both sexes.

If you have kids at home plan a separate "date" with each of them on your return. Catch a movie, try a new sport or just sit in the burger bar. One hour snatched today will make them more understanding of your work and need to travel - it is also a good way of making sure you don't miss out on important issues in their lives and it does wonders for the long term relationships.

If you have been ill or needed any medical treatment while you have been away make an appointment to see your doctor. Take with you any written instructions or medication you have taken so that your doctor can add it to your records.