Travel Managers protect their mental health with these easy steps

Travel management is an exciting and dynamic field, but it’s also one that comes with immense responsibility and high pressure. Travel managers are tasked with organising complex itineraries, managing tight budgets, dealing with unexpected disruptions, and ensuring the satisfaction of both corporate stakeholders and travellers. The fast-paced, unpredictable nature of the job can easily lead to burnout if mental health is neglected.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical strategies that travel managers can adopt to reduce their stress levels and protect their mental well-being.

Embrace technology for streamlined processes

One of the most effective ways to reduce stress is by leveraging technology to automate repetitive tasks. Modern travel management platforms offer solutions that can streamline everything from booking flights to generating expense reports.

For example, a good travel management software can:

Automatically track travellers’ itineraries
Provide real-time updates on flight status and delays
Integrate budgets and expense tracking

By automating these tasks, travel managers can free up their time and reduce the mental strain of keeping track of every detail manually.

Delegate tasks & build a strong team

Travel management can be overwhelming when you’re trying to do everything yourself. To avoid burnout, it’s essential to delegate tasks and lean on a trusted team for support. Train your team members to handle key responsibilities such as booking hotels, resolving last-minute issues, or coordinating with suppliers.

Effective delegation not only lightens your workload but also builds a sense of trust and collaboration within the team, ultimately leading to smoother operations.

Establish boundaries & stick to them

One of the biggest stress triggers for travel managers is the expectation of being available 24/7. The reality of international travel means that emergencies can happen at any hour, but that doesn’t mean you need to be “on” all the time.

Set clear boundaries with both clients and colleagues about your availability. For example:

Allocate specific time slots for answering non-urgent emails
Implement a rotating on-call system with your team for after-hours emergencies
Communicate when you’re stepping away from your desk or on vacation to manage expectations

By setting boundaries, you protect your personal time and prevent work from intruding on your mental well-being.

Stay organised with prioritisation tools

Organisation is key to reducing stress. With so many moving parts, travel managers need effective systems to track deadlines, bookings, and critical tasks. Use tools like task managers, calendars, or travel management apps to prioritise your day and keep track of key milestones.

Consider tools such as:

Trello or Asana for task management
Google Calendar or Outlook for keeping track of important meetings, bookings, and deadlines
Slack or Microsoft Teams for efficient communication with teams

A well-organised workflow ensures that important tasks don’t slip through the cracks, helping you maintain control over your workload and reducing last-minute upsets.

Adopt stress-relief techniques during the workday

Long hours spent on screens or juggling multiple tasks can take a toll on your mental health. Incorporating simple, effective stress-relief techniques during the day can help you reset and refocus, making the workload feel more manageable.

Here are a few techniques you can try:

Deep breathing exercises: Take 5-10 minutes during your workday to focus on your breathing. This simple act reduces stress hormones and clears mental fog
Stretching: Taking short breaks to stretch your body improves circulation, relieves physical tension, and gives your mind a break from work
Mindfulness or meditation apps: Apps like Headspace or Calm offer short, guided meditations specifically designed to lower stress and increase focus

Regular breaks for mental health and self-care aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity for maintaining long-term productivity and well-being.

Travel managers protect their mental health in the workplace

Plan for the unexpected

As any travel manager knows, travel plans can change in the blink of an eye – flights get cancelled, meetings are rescheduled, or weather disruptions throw a spanner in the works. While you can’t predict every problem, you can prepare for potential disruptions by building flexibility into your plans.

Some key ways to plan for the unexpected include:

Creating contingency plans for common disruptions (e.g., alternative flight routes, hotel backups)
Setting aside buffer time between key meetings or transfers
Communicating proactively with travellers about potential risks and backup options

By accepting that things will sometimes go wrong and preparing accordingly, you can face challenges with a calmer, solution-oriented mindset.

Take time off to recharge

Working in travel management often means managing other people’s time off, but it’s critical that you prioritise your own downtime as well. Taking regular breaks from work, whether through long weekends or extended vacations, allows you to rest, recharge, and return with renewed energy.

Remember, mental health isn’t just about avoiding stress – it’s about taking proactive steps to maintain balance. Schedule time for activities that you enjoy outside of work, such as exercise, socialising, or hobbies. When you invest in your own well-being, you’ll be in a much stronger position to handle the demands of your role.

Seek professional support when needed

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or on the verge of burnout, it’s important to recognise when you need help. Many companies offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide access to counselling services, mental health resources, or stress management programmes.

Additionally, seeking the support of a therapist or coach can provide you with coping strategies to manage the pressures of your job more effectively. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it – your mental health is worth prioritising.

Conclusion

Travel management has the potential to be a high-stress job, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to manage that stress and protect your mental health. And enjoy what can be an exciting and challenging career. By embracing technology, setting boundaries, staying organised, and making time for self-care, travel managers can thrive in their roles without sacrificing their well-being. Remember that prioritising your mental health not only benefits you but also enables you to be more effective, calm, and resilient in your work.

Take care of yourself – your work will follow.

Working with a Travel Management Company (TMC) can help alleviate the stress out of managing company’s corporate travel. MIDAS Travel offers a 24/7 emergency out of hours service, so we can take the call when you’re out of the office. We proactively manage traveller risk, disruption and any changes to travel itineraries. Why not speak to our team today and find out how we can help you?

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