Use melatonin for jetlag and your skin
“There is some evidence that melatonin helps with jet lag by helping adjust circadian rhythm,” shares Dr Jonathan Kentley, consultant dermatologist at Montrose London. “Interestingly, there is some early preclinical data that melatonin can also work as an antioxidant in the skin to help protect against UV damage and pollution providing multiple benefits when travelling.”
Adopt your time zone ahead of time
“If I am travelling long haul (I usually travel to Asia-Pacific), and to minimise jet lag, I slowly put myself onto the time in my destination country during the flight,” Katherine Res Pritchard, partner at Howard Kennedy LLP. “It can be tough if I have to fight sleep for an extended period, but it really works, and is really helpful for when I arrive and go straight into conferences or meetings.”
Yellow bicycle leaning against a wooden pole in the dunes against sea and skyGetty Images
Prioritise efficiency
“The reality of a start-up is I am flying at the back of the bus but I always try and get the first row, seat A by the window,” says Ginny Seymour, CEO of Aligne. “I settle in, get my laptop out and don’t move until I get off the plane. It is about the efficiency of boarding for me. Once I land, I need to be off as quickly as possible.”
Make the most of the hotel facilities
“Some of the best conversations happen informally,” says Johan Scheepers, general manager at The Grand Hotel Birmingham. “Comfortable lounges and flexible spaces mean you don’t always need a formal meeting room – it can be more relaxed and often more productive, so look for hotels that prioritise these spaces.”
Plan your outfits
“For business travel, I always try to pack fewer, better things,” says Amy Anderson, co-founder of Kindred of Ireland. “A beautifully made linen shirt, a tailored jacket, or a dress that can move from meetings to dinner means you are not overthinking what to wear at the other end. I think the real hack is choosing natural fabrics that breathe, layer well, and still feel elegant after a day of travel.”
