Head of the hotel’s MoveWell department, which runs the property’s popular RunWestin programme in the Lion City, Eddie has extensive experience working in the city’s fitness industry and remains an avid runner who’s always looking for new routes on which to explore Singapore.

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Tell us what excites you most about taking on this unique role.

Westin is a global hospitality brand that lives by its Six Pillars of Well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. RunWestin is part of the Move Well brand programme where a Run Concierge takes guests on guided scenic runs around the hotel. As running is my passion, I was very glad to be among the first RunWestin Run Concierges in Asia. My passion has motivated me greatly and allowed me to meet different people from all walks of life and the greatest achievement for me is guiding them to run better and more effectively.

The runWESTIN Concierge concept is a dream job for many runners. Can you describe what your day-to-day responsibilities look like and how you assist guests with their running goals?

The guided runs are three times a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 am and 7 am on Sundays. The typical distance is about 5 km and 8 km but if the guests are feeling good, we can go for longer runs. During these guided runs, I like to find out the fitness goals of my guests and their running style and I will tailor the run accordingly. I also like to share running tips with my guests to help them run better. My other daily duties include managing the wellness floor on Level 35 – WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio, outdoor infinity pool, and Heavenly Spa by WestinTM.

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With over 14 years of experience and more than 20 full marathons completed, how did your passion for running begin, and what keeps you motivated to continue competing and improving?

Running used to be the foundation of my training program when I was playing football for a local football league. I taught myself to train better with a structured training program that eventually helped me to achieve my desired level of fitness endurance as well as my daily goal. I have done many races over the years and my learning journey varies from good and bad races experience. Through my experience, I learnt that it is important to construct a well-balanced training plan along with sufficient nutrition and rest in order to minimise injury during training. Every workout and race is a restart, reset and refocus for me, and it keeps me motivated to continue what I have been doing.

You’ve coached over 300 students in running. What is the most rewarding aspect of helping others achieve their running goals, and how do you tailor your coaching to suit each individual’s needs?

Running can be a challenge or an easy task for beginner runners. The training needs to work for them by unlocking their mindsets and potential, making them believe that they can do it. The goals of such training programmes are typically time-based or distance-based. Small goals are the building blocks to help people sustain their running routine and be focused and consistent to progress to the next level. Running is a motivating sport where the energy drives every runner to do a good run. For non-regular runners to be able to complete a 5KM, 10KM or 21KM run is already a big achievement for them. This also inspires others to want to join as well.

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As a seasoned runner, what has been your most memorable race, and why did it stand out to you?

My most memorable race would be the Tokyo Marathon in 2012, which was my personal best as well. The whole vibe of the race – from the race pack collection to the actual race day – was very positive and energetic. The atmosphere of the race was fantastic as there were music and people cheering us on from the start of the race until the finishing line. You’d never feel alone as the energy was high and I kept hearing people shout “gambatte” throughout the race and it was especially energetic and loud at the finishing line. Supporters along the race also offered unique local snacks and food for the runners. The baggage collection was also very efficient as the crew already had my belongings ready for me to collect when I crossed the finishing line.

How do you incorporate the unique characteristics of Singapore into your guided runs? Are there any particular routes or local sights that you enjoy sharing with guests?

Our guided runs are an alternate way to explore the city so I like to take guests on runs that pass by iconic landmarks like Marina Bayfront Promenade, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage, and the Singapore River. Routes include the 5 km Supertree Garden route, which course covers Marina Bayfront, the Art Science Museum, the Helix Bridge, DragonFly Lake, and Supertree Gardens by the Bay; and the  8 km Marina Barrage Rooftop Green Sunrise run, which also covers the Flower Dome & Cloud Forest, and Marina Barrage Rooftop Green.

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What are some of the common challenges that guests face when it comes to running in a new city, and how do you help them overcome those challenges?

Some of the common challenges include time zone differences and Singapore’s humid weather. I encourage guests to sleep and rest well for the first 24 hours in order to let the body acclimatise to different time zones, before going on their fitness routine. At The Westin Singapore, all guest rooms are equipped with the next-generation Heavenly Bed and Sleep Well Lavender Balm that promotes deep slumber. Once the guests feel well rested, they can rise early and join me for a morning 5 km run to get some fresh air outdoors and shake off remaining jetlag. Nothing beats rising early for a run to Marina Bay to catch the sunrise!

Many people struggle to maintain their fitness routines while travelling. How does runWESTIN support guests in staying active while they’re away from home?

As part of our Move Well brand activation, we provide a host of wellness activities to help guests maintain their fitness on the go. These include the RunWestin programme and concierge, yoga classes in partnership with PURE Yoga, WestinWORKOUT Gear Lending, Bala Sculpt & Flow kits for full-body workout essentials; and Hyperice Recovery & Recharge kits for users looking to release muscle tension and recover post-workout. There’s also the WestinWORKOUT Room Powered by Technogym, boasting state-of-the-art fitness equipment by Technogym, including a Technogym bike integrated with a full library of on-demand classes and entertainment options.

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As someone with extensive knowledge in sports education and fitness, what are your top tips for travellers who want to keep up their fitness routines on the road?

Train well, eat well, and recover well. Body weight exercise is a good workout routine. Or consider bringing along a skipping rope to boost the cardio training or a resistance band to empower your strength training and regain better mobility movement. Some recovery stretching and easy yoga practice help you stay relaxed and energized. Avoid overeating but eat moderate meals with a good combination of protein and complex carbohydrates and hydrate regularly for the day. And go easy on alcoholic beverages!

For beginner runners who may feel intimidated by the idea of running while travelling, what advice would you give to help them get started?

Start with an easy walk of 3 km to 5 km – this is a good start. Then add in time-based or distance-based goals, this is the typical process for beginner runners to get started. One easy routine I would recommend is to start a 15-minute run program on the treadmill: Run for two minutes at a moderate pace followed by a one-minute walk, and repeat this process five times. You can progressively increase to 20 minutes or 30 minutes and eventually do a 60-minute workout run. This will help beginners to build a better fitness foundation and they’ll eventually be able to do a 3 km or 5 km outdoor run.

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What’s your go-to warm-up or stretching routine to prepare for a long run, and how important is it for preventing injuries?

To prepare for a long run, you’d need to hydrate plenty and load your body with electrolyte drinks and fuel with an energy bar. The Hyperice massage gun is a great tool for pre-run warm-up as it helps to activate the running muscles such as the quadriceps, ITB, Hamstring, lower leg calves and glutes. I like to offer our guests to try the Hyperice massage gun to activate the running muscle before the guided run. Alternatively, we can also do dynamic warm-ups like stretching with run-specific movement drills such as hopping, jumping, lunges and calf raises.

Singapore’s weather and humidity are a huge challenge for many travellers. For runners to train well, it is important to hydrate plenty before and after the run, especially for post-run. Recovery drinks are essential and always refuel with good complex carbs to restore your body’s energy. Stretching is essential after a long run and the Hyperice massage gun is a great tool to ease off tension in the running muscle, especially the lower leg. Other recommended forms of recovery include using a foam roller for deeper stretch while swimming after runs helps to flush out the body’s lactic acid to relieve any sore muscles and these can all minimise the risk of injuries.

I’d also recommend the Muscle Recovery Massage at the Heavenly Spa by Westin. It is a deep tissue massage that targets the inner layer of the muscles by applying slow, deep strokes so it is perfect for post-workout recovery.

As someone who has worked in fitness club operations and has a background in sports education, how do you see the running and fitness landscape evolving, especially with more people focusing on wellness during their travels?

Over the years, I’ve noticed that more people are focusing more on wellness and fitness. Most jobs require people to travel frequently while some have very packed schedules that cause fatigue and their sleep schedules are badly affected due to different time zones. Many of our guests who are frequent travellers, maintain their fitness through gym workouts, practising yoga, or going on guided runs with me. Exercising is a good way to recharge the body. Staying hydrated and eating well helps build the body’s optimum energy while good sleep helps the body recover naturally.

The Westin Singapore also curated a Westin Wellness Weekend retreat to help guests reset intentions and find their balance. This 3D2N retreat that happens twice a year consists of a host of wellness and fitness activities for guests to experience different types of workouts from yoga to Pilates to HIIT to running. Other non-physical activities include mindful silent breakfast, and mental wellbeing talks by a certified psychologist.

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Have you noticed any particular running trends or fitness movements that are growing in popularity, especially among travellers?

There are many wellness and fitness apps in the market right now to allow people to access fitness content globally, at their own time. Most traveller use these apps to help them maintain their workout routine. I’ve noticed that more people are into running marathons, ultra-marathons, triathlons, etc, and these people would also travel to other regions to take part in different marathons for a different kind of experience while sightseeing. Running is an easy sport because you only need a set of good running shoes and apparel and a fitness tracker to track your mileage. Many seasoned runners are checking off world major marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York to earn the 6-star marathon medal.

I’ve also noticed the growth in CrossFit training groups, especially with the rising popularity of sporting events such as Hyrox where running is also a component in the competition. The running community has certainly expanded with the increase of CrossFitters.

You’ve accomplished so much as a runner and coach. What’s next for you in terms of your personal running goals? Any upcoming marathons or challenges you’re preparing for?

For 2024, I’ve already completed two half-marathons – one in Singapore and another in Koh Samui. The Westin Singapore is the Official Elite Hotel of Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon for the second year, and that will be my next marathon in December! I started my training in June to build my mileage and strength training. In order to have a good marathon, you’ll need to run at least three to four half-marathons to condition the body leading to the race day. On my off days, I follow my training plan which helps me to work on my endurance for long runs.

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The post Top Singapore Running Tips From RunConcierge Eddie Chang first appeared on The Art of Business Travel.

The new Higher State wellness centre at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport has business travellers’ wellness needs covered.

The post Five Ways to Rejuvenate Mind & Body at Melbourne Airport’s Higher State first appeared on The Art of Business Travel.

Partnering with Swire Properties, 1880 Hong Kong will debut by the end of the year across four floors of Hong Kong Island’s Two Taikoo Place, creating a completely new category in workspace entertainment that reimagines the ‘future of work’ by seamlessly integrating work and play. The dynamic new venue will also serve as a place where people can come together for conversations, be exposed to new ideas, and build thriving communities.

At the heart of the umbrella brand is the 1880 Hong Kong members club, located on the fourth floor and offering exceptional dining, lounge areas, a spa, and a gym. Spanning across the first three floors is the brand-new 1880 SOCIAL concept, which will be accessible to the public, inviting not only 1880 Hong Kong members, but also Taikoo Place tenants and the wider community to indulge in eclectic dining, curated drinks, and multi-faceted co-working and event spaces.

Both 1880 Hong Kong members and 1880 SOCIAL guests will be privy to a calendar of exciting events, ranging from thought-provoking talks, parties, film festivals, music performances, and immersive experiences that stimulate the intellect and senses. While 1880 SOCIAL offers a range of dynamic and inclusive events that foster community engagement, the 1880 Hong Kong members club provides an exclusive lineup of premium, curated experiences. Whether unwinding after work or seeking new avenues for discovery, this new hub brings the joy of conversation to life, creating a vibrant atmosphere where ideas and interactions flourish.

“1880 exists to inspire conversations that make the world a better place,” says 1880 Founder Marc Nicholson. “With the launch of 1880 Hong Kong, we’re not just introducing our unique brand of amenities and programming; we’re creating a space and a movement that brings together agitators, creators, explorers and adventurers to raise our collective consciousness. We look forward to embarking on this journey with Swire Properties and Taikoo Place to develop more platforms for conversations, and foster and create meaningful connections,” said 1880 Founder Marc Nicholson.

The brand-new 1880 SOCIAL concept on the first three floors also serves up a diverse array of culinary options to suit every palette, including coffee and wine bar The Double, Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant Hoi Polloi, fine-dining venue Té Bo, and American diner The Sports Bar.

The third floor is a natural extension of the working environment, which boasts fully serviced and publicly accessible amenities including state-of-the-art meeting rooms, a high-spec board room, podcast studios, a green screen room, a large-scale conference event space, an upscale social lounge, and more.

Seamlessly integrating elements of work and entertainment, the new concept will provide a holistic workspace setting that is uniquely designed for not only office workers in the global business district of Taikoo Place but also the broader community. With the support of an in-house event concierge team, 1880 SOCIAL is ideal for professional gatherings or casual get-togethers, ensuring an inviting atmosphere for any occasion.

Occupying the fourth floor, the 1880 Hong Kong members club is designed to elevate members beyond the ordinary from the moment they step through the doors. In addition to a signature restaurant outpost, Leonie’s, the club will house a bio-hacking-focused spa that is at the forefront of the wellness industry, and exceptionally equipped QUARRY Gym led by professional athlete Max Woodward – with both the spa and gym accessible to the public community as well for a fee (preferential rates and priority booking available for 1880 Hong Kong members).

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Travelling, even for work, gives you the chance to experience many new experiences and cultures. However, if you neglect self-care you may find yourself less than productive at best, and completely burnt out at worst. Therefore, it’s essential that you still look after yourself and complete self-care as you would when you are at home. We look at some of the reasons that self-care is so important when you travel.

Travel Has A Physical Toll On You

There is no denying that travelling can have a physical toll on your health. Regardless of whether you are walking, driving, getting on a plane, or having someone drive you, busy schedules and different cultural norms can leave you feeling drained. When you sit for extended periods it can lead to bad circulation and posture. Not to mention the early or late starts and carrying your luggage.

When you are on your journey you need to:

• Keep Hydrated: Make sure you drink plenty of water; either take a water bottle with you (and fill it after customs) or double up on the plane. Hydration salts are also a handy item for your carry on.
• Remember to Stretch: It’s a good idea to stretch when you have been sitting for a long time. If you are driving it might be worth taking a break halfway and having a quick stretch.
• Eat Healthy: Now, a big part of travelling is about indulging in new foods, but it’s a good idea to bring some healthy food, from nuts to fruit, on the road with you (just be aware of any security or bio-security restrictions).

Travel Can Disturb Your Sleep

This does go without saying, however, it is worth mentioning. When you grab a plane or train you may end up travelling either late at night or in the early hours. This gets your sleep patterns off track right from the get-go of your trip. On top of this, you also have the added element of time differences. They can be considerable, especially if you travel long-distance and these can send your sleep pattern completely out of whack and have you lacking sleep for weeks even after you return.

To help try:

• Stick to a Sleep Routine: Although it might be difficult, try to stick to a routine as much as you can. Calculate the time in your destination and try to sleep according to that time to mitigate jet jetlag.
• Create a Peaceful Atmosphere: it might be worth taking a travel black-out-blind with you, or a sleep mask. Earplugs are a must on planes, as are noise-reduction headphones.
• Limit Caffeine & Alcohol: Although it might be nice to indulge in these, they can make your sleep even worse, especially when you’re jet lagged.

Looking After Your Hygiene

When you travel, it can be really easy to let your personal hygiene and care slip, especially if you find yourself running around on your trip or travelling for a long time. Remember to take time to relax, grab a shower, and make yourself feel refreshed. Dye your hair with low maintenance hair colors before you travel, pack all the necessities for washing so you can grab a shower as soon as you arrive, learn how to do minimal makeup that still looks great, and pack small aftershaves/perfumes so you can still smell great.

Stick To Healthy Eating

Yes, a big part of travel is about trying new foods and enjoying a meal or two out, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t still involve healthy eating. It is important that you still make good diet choices when you travel so you can prevent yourself from feeling stodgy or lethargic.

Try these simple steps:

• Keeping Things in Moderation: Enjoy the food but don’t overindulge and overeat, you don’t need to try everything.
• Have a Varied Diet: try new things that may be unhealthy but balance them out by making sure you still get a balanced plate of food that includes healthy vegetables, fruit, and proteins .
• Research: If you are unsure about what is available in your location do some research first. Find out what is available and look at things like how they cater to any dietary requirements.
• Cook For yourself: This is a great way of making sure you are still eating well when travelling. It works great if you are travelling long term too. It can even help to keep your food bill down to cook yourself so consider looking for accommodation with self-catering facilities.

Look After Your Emotional And Mental Wellbeing

It can be extremely stressful to travel, there is no doubt about that. You are trying to stay on time, keep to a plan, and discover new places while still meeting work requirements, and it can be a little overwhelming. You need to find ways to keep yourself calm and to de-stress.

• Stay connected: Talking to your family or friends about your travels can help to take the pressure off. If your flight is delayed let your family know and have a chat with them while you wait. Can’t find your hotel? Have a giggle about it with your friends and see if they can help at all. You will feel like your problems are less of an issue if you try to make ease of them.
• Plan Your Downtime: It can be far too tempting to pack your time with action and have no time for rest. Yes, you want to see as much as possible or achieve as much as possible on a business trip. However, it is important to have a rest and take some time to recuperate. You will find that you enjoy sightseeing much more if you give yourself time to relax too.
• Take Your Time: Sometimes travel is going to be overwhelming and stressful, take some time, take deep breaths, and think about the positives rather than the negatives.

Have A Digital Detox

If you have ever felt like you could do with a digital detox then travel gives you the perfect opportunity to do this. Apart from letting people know that you are safe and well, you could give yourself a complete break from the digital world. Try:

• Setting Boundaries: Let your family and friends know when you will be in touch or how they can contact you, this way they won’t worry when they can’t reach you straightaway. Set yourself restrictions on when you are allowed to check your emails or socials too. Maybe an hour in the evening.
• Focus on Your Current Environment: If you are too consumed by your tech then you might miss all the wonderful things in your new surroundings. You want to enjoy the moment when you travel and you aren’t going to do that if you are consumed by your technology all the time.
• Completely Unplug: Not everyone enjoys doing this as they feel too lost. However, you might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes when you completely unplug from the technical world when you travel. You will experience more, see more, and learn more. Give it a try, even if it is only for a few days at a time.

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The post A Guide to Self-Care When Travelling for Business first appeared on The Art of Business Travel.

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Spending most of the day seated isn’t good for your body, and even after taking regular breaks, you may still feel stiff and uncomfortable, especially if you’re also battling jet lag and deadlines. But many of us have no choice but to spend long hours chained to our desks for work and pay the price with back pain and stiffness.

Jesse Gabler, the founder of YOGI TIMES, recommends these five simple yoga positions you can perform at in the office, at home or in the hotel, each aimed at reducing back pain caused by prolonged sitting.

The Simple Savasana

Also known as the Corpse Pose, to perform the Simple Savasana, lie flat on your back with your arms and legs comfortably spread apart.

This allows the spine to rest and align naturally, releasing built-up tension. Regular practice of this pose can greatly reduce stress in the back muscles and improve overall spinal health.

The Tree Pose

The Tree Pose (or Vrikshasana) involves standing on one leg while the other is placed on the inner thigh, mimicking the steady yet grounded stance of a tree. At the same time, the hands are brought together in front of the chest, or for a harder pose, extended above the head.

This pose strengthens the leg muscles and back, improving spinal alignment and posture, and enhancing core stability. It also heightens overall body awareness and concentration.

The Bhujangasana

Commonly known as the Cobra Pose, this position focuses on strengthening the spinal column. To perform the Cobra, lie on your stomach and lift your chest off the ground using only the strength of your back muscles, creating a gentle backbend.

This exercise alleviates back pain and stiffness, as well as enhancing flexibility and promoting better posture.

The Bridge Pose

The Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) targets back pain by strengthening spinal muscles. Here, you lie on your back and lift your hips upwards. Your abdomen will create a bridge-like arch while your feet and shoulders remain grounded.

This pose improves posture and core stability and can help in relieving mild anxiety.

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The post Beat Back Pain on the Move first appeared on The Art of Business Travel.

Following the successful launch of Peloton into select Accor hotels around 2022, the expanded agreement will see Peloton Bikes installed in more than 50 of Accor’s most popular hotels, resorts and apartments across Australia.

In addition, in the first-of-its-kind program in Australia and for a limited time, guests will be rewarded for working out with Peloton – with the ability to earn 100 ALL – Accor Live Limitless Reward points when they workout on the Peloton Bike or the Peloton App during their stay at one of the participating Accor hotels, including Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Novotel Perth Murray Street, and Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise.

To support the expanded launch, Peloton and Accor commissioned research with YouGov to uncover Australians’ attitudes to health and fitness while travelling for work or leisure. The findings revealed that maintaining their current fitness regime when travelling is important to Australian travellers, with two in three Aussies (66%) surveyed saying that maintaining their health and exercise regime when on holidays was important to them, with Millennials more likely than Gen Z and Gen X saying sticking to their regime is extremely important (37%, compared to and 21% and 24% respectively).

When it comes to business travel specifically, among the 50% of Aussies who travel within Australia for work, 76% – the equivalent of 7.5 million people – said that maintaining their health and exercise regime when travelling was important to them. In relation to what Australians are looking for when staying at a hotel for work or leisure, the majority (68%) would prefer to exercise using hotel facilities when they are in a new destination, with many stating that the opportunity to try new fitness experiences would enhance their stay.

To earn reward points while working out, guests simply need to show their workout in the Peloton App at the hotel front desk or in the gym, scan the QR code provided and register for the offer prior to check-out to redeem. The points can be redeemed for their next holiday or to unlock tickets to some of the most popular concerts, shows and sporting events around the world.

Whether it’s mirroring a strength workout from the Peloton App to your in-room TV, enjoying a cycling class in the hotel gym on the Peloton Bike, or taking an outdoor walk or run around a new location via the Peloton App, there’s something for every Accor guest to enjoy. Peloton’s 57 instructors lead live and on-demand classes across 16 different fitness modalities – from yoga and stretching to walking, running, cycling and more, so no matter your preference or fitness level, Peloton will keep you motivated and keep you moving.

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The study found that 92% of survey respondents listed the topic as extremely or very important. However, despite this emphasis, only 62% of the travel buyers surveyed said their companies provide traveller wellbeing support and only 14% said their companies plan to increase the budget for traveller wellbeing in 2022.

BCD previously also conducted a wellbeing survey of 875 business travellers in February. The surveys reveal similarities and differences in buyer and traveller sentiment. The research found that awareness of wellbeing measures to support business travellers varies – while 62% of travel buyers are aware of offerings within their company, among travellers this figure is lower (51%). Both travel buyers and travellers ranked convenient hotel location (73% and 58% respectively), direct flights (71% and 70%) and business class for long-haul flights (57% and 54%) among the top five policy options to improve traveller wellbeing.

Travel buyers also rated freedom to decide to travel or not (55%) and a simple trip approval process (55%) as important policy options that contribute to traveller wellbeing. Neither made the top five among business travellers, who instead were more appreciative of airplane seat selection (59%) and fast-track security programs (58%).

While 43% of buyers offer sustainable travel choices for a better traveller experience, only 20% of surveyed travellers feel this contributes to their wellbeing.

Wellbeing support showed the largest discrepancy between buyer and traveller sentiment. While travel buyers rated mental support measures (training in stress management, mental health counselling, and mental health support) as the most important, business travellers instead care more about physical wellbeing measures (restaurant recommendations, nutrition, sleep and recovery advice, and gym membership when travelling).

In terms of work-life balance support, travel buyers placed more value on the ability to work from home before or after a trip (64%) than did travellers (48%), though this option was highly ranked by both audiences along with allowing work from any location and bleisure. Furthermore, travellers are more interested in extra time off to compensate for business travel out of working hours (53% vs 20% for travel buyers), allowing a partner to accompany them (50% vs 19% for travel buyers) and time off after long trips (48% vs 7%).

“This survey reveals a significant gap between wellbeing supply and demand, as well as differing views on which measures most support traveller wellbeing,” says Mike Janssen, Global Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer for BCD Travel. “Travel buyers should align their policies to what their travellers value and need. At the same time, they may also need to put more time and effort in clearly communicating the benefits of mental support, which is currently valued less than physical support.”

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The post Wellbeing Tops Priorities for Corporate Travellers Says Study first appeared on The Art of Business Travel.

Many millions of professionals travel for business, and although it’s always exciting to gain new clients and succeed at work, and seeing new places is fascinating, you may find that you still have mixed feelings about having to leave your home and family so much of the time. For some, this can lead to unhappiness and dissatisfaction. It can even lead to problems in their personal lives. However, it doesn’t need to be like this. There are ways to ensure that you can strike a good balance and that you – and your family – can be happy as much of the time as possible.

Honesty

Being honest is important for both partners in a relationship. If one of the partners is not happy about something, they need to say so. Otherwise, things will just continue on as they are, and nothing will change. This can then fuel resentment and anger, and the relationship can suffer terribly because of it. Don’t leave it until the night before an early morning flight, though. If you do this, then nothing will be resolved because there is no time, and it will make your time apart even harder with so much left to talk about. Make sure you have the opportunity to talk things through and come up with a plan to fix the problems wherever possible. It might be that you decide to travel together from time to time, or that you choose to look into relocating because moving closer to work will mean you can spend more time together and less time traveling. Whatever is going to work to keep everyone happy should certainly be discussed. 

Know When It Ends

There is nothing quite so unnerving as ambiguity, so if you know when your business trip is going to end, let your significant other know as well. Otherwise they will be uneasy and unable to settle because they are wondering when you will get back. This can make their own work life difficult, and it can leave them anxious and unsure. When you do return, make sure you show how excited you are to be reunited, and beforehand it’s a good idea to work out something you can do together when you get back such as enjoying a meal at a restaurant or going for a romantic walk. 

Keep In Touch

Over time it can become easy for couples not to speak to one another when one partner is away for business. They just continue on with their lives and discuss everything between them when the absent partner returns. However, that can cause issues, and ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is never a good thing in a relationship. It’s far better to keep in touch regularly throughout the trip, so that you stay in each other’s minds. You can talk on the phone or over Skype or other video apps, or you can simply text one another. Say good morning, say goodnight. Let your partner know how your day went. Little things mean a lot and can keep your relationship happy.

Keep Your Promises

Just because you’re away, it doesn’t mean you can suddenly stop keeping promises. If you say you’re going to call at a certain time, then make sure you do it, for example. Otherwise you can leave your partner feeling worried and lost, causing them a lot of anxiety that isn’t necessary in the least. If something comes up and you really can’t make your appointment, send them a quick text to let them know and rearrange a new time to call. Don’t just leave them waiting; it’s not fair and certainly doesn’t demonstrate your positive feelings towards them. If you’re just the kind of person who forgets these scheduled calls, place a reminder in your phone. That way, you won’t upset your partner, and you won’t end up in their bad books for forgetting. 

Be Focused

If you’re busy or distracted and you can’t fully commit to focusing fully on your partner when you contact them, it might be a good idea to reschedule your call or Skype. When you’re spending some time together, whether you can see one another or not, be fully committed to them. If you aren’t, your partner will be able to sense it, and they will worry that something is wrong or that you’re upset in some way. This can then lead to them being upset too. So pay attention to the person you’re speaking to. They may have something important to say, and even if you’re just discussing the minutiae of life, this is still someone who loves you, and that is hugely important.

Be Together Separately

As strange as this may seem, it can be done. Try some bonding activities that you can achieve when you’re many miles away from one another. You could watch the same TV show then discuss it, or read the same book. You could set up Netflix and watch a movie together – you could even do this when on the phone to your partner so that you can comment on the movie in real-time. Perhaps you can join one another (through devices) on your morning run – if so, don’t forget to pack your sports skirts or shorts and running shoes to make sure you can carry out this activity. It is things like this that will make you feel much closer to one another, and that will keep you connected even when you’re far apart. 

Do Your Own Thing

As much as sharing activities with your partner is important, it’s also good to do your own thing. You won’t both always love the same hobbies, and being away is a good time to get some ‘me time’ in. This will keep you relaxed and happy, relieving stress. Make sure your partner does their own thing too. Of course, you can talk about these activities when you do get together, but always doing the same thing and always being together can be a bit much sometimes, and it isn’t always the healthiest way to enjoy a relationship. Whether you’re together at home or you’re traveling and your partner is by themselves or with the kids, these separate activities should definitely be part of your lives. 

Take Care Of Your Health

Traveling can be quite taxing on your health. Many people who travel for work often eat whatever is most convenient, such as fast food, because they are in a rush and don’t have time for anything else, or so they think. Because there isn’t always time to exercise or even sleep, your health might suffer greatly thanks to this poor diet. You’re tired, sluggish, and generally unwell by the time you reach home. Please do yourself a favor: make time for exercise and eat healthily. Many fast food places now offer healthier options, so choose a sub or salad instead of a burger and fries, for example. Being in a healthier mental and physical state will allow you to make the most of your family time.

Reframe Things

Being on the move can be isolating, particularly when you have a lovely family at home. Think of the time spent at home or at work over a longer period of time rather than summing it up in a week. You certainly can’t think from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Consider the larger picture. How long will you be on the road? How many days do you spend with your family? Taking a full week off after two or three weeks of travel allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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The post How To Have A Happy Home Life When You Travel For Business  first appeared on The Art of Business Travel.

The airline has dived into the wellness space with the launch of Cathay’s wellness journey. The new virtual health companion, found in the Cathay lifestyle app, rewards Hong Kong-based Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles members with miles as they take steps towards sustainable, better health. Members can now earn miles every day by completing daily wellness goals – without the need to spend a dollar.

Cathay has also launched a strategic wellness and insurance collaboration with Cigna Hong Kong with the exclusive Cigna Cathay Premier Health Plan – the only insurance product where members can directly earn and use miles when purchasing through Cathay.

Cathay and Cigna share respective visions to help Hong Kong people enhance their health and wellbeing. Both Asia Miles members’ voice survey by Cathay, and the Cigna 360 Well-Being survey have recently highlighted the importance of health and wellbeing for the Hong Kong population, who may find it difficult to prioritise their wellbeing in their busy lives.

The plan offers comprehensive protection whilst rewarding members for being healthy and means they can purchase Cigna products through the Cathay website and earn and spend miles on their health protection purchases. Members insured under any of the four Cigna health plans can earn 5x miles on Cathay’s wellness journey when completing their daily wellness goals on the Cathay app.

“At Cathay, we are ultimately trusted to help people move forward in life,” says Cathay Director Customer Lifestyle Paul Smitton. “With wellness, we aim to empower our members to make the most of what lies ahead and move beyond what they previously thought possible. Embarking upon an uplifting wellness journey can be challenging. We wish to help our members by encouraging and rewarding positive lifestyle habits that will lead to a better quality of life and health outcomes. With our new virtual companion, we aim to remove the obstacles they face as they make efforts to elevate their lives.’’ 

With the exclusive ability for members to earn miles directly when purchasing exclusive Cigna insurance products via the Cathay website – as well as the opportunity for all Hong Kong members to earn daily miles on Cathay’s wellness journey when elevating daily habits – the collaboration offers exciting new ways for members to get closer to their next flight, staycation, dining at partner restaurants or purchase from the online shop at Cathay whilst taking a proactive approach to their health and wellbeing.

Cathay’s wellness journey is a new and innovative feature within the Cathay app that’s powered by Sprout Wellness Solutions and designed to make developing daily exercise, healthy eating and mindful habits more rewarding. Each registered user receives a personal Health Score, which is calculated based on a combination of self-reported health survey responses and health data captured through connected wearable devices and manual activity tracking. Based on their Health Score and account status, members can enjoy exclusive offers, and engaging high-quality health and wellness tips from experts to help them on their journey. Users can also opt to receive healthy behaviour reminders and connect their wearable devices to the wellness journey allowing seamless activity tracking and encouragement as members improve healthy habits and reach their health goals. 

Members can earn up to 7 miles per day by completing six daily goals to improve aspects of their mind, body and diet – such as achieving 10,000 steps a day, doing 20 minutes of yoga, eating enough fruit and vegetables, getting a good night’s sleep of at least 7 hours, and more – all without spending a dollar. First-time wellness journey users also get 100 miles2 upon profile completion when they first receive their personal Health Score.

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The post CX & Cigna Offer New Wellness Collaboration first appeared on The Art of Business Travel.