By Larry Olmstead 

Like many executives, I travel a lot for work – in fact, last year I became a one-million-mile customer with American Airlines. I have decided to confront some truths:

• Air travel isn’t as fun as it used to be.
• I’m getting older, and too much travel can wear me down.
• Extensive travel is the surest way to disrupt the balance I try to keep in my life between professional pursuits, family, recreation, culture and spirituality.

Here is what I’ve come up with so far: I must avoid multi-city trips. This cannot always be done, but the effort is worthwhile. I find that more than one stop on a trip multiplies the hassle and stress factor considerably.

I now take a set of exercise clothes and walking shoes on every trip. Ideally, I would hit the hotel gym, but they vary in quality and I’m not always motivated while traveling. However, I am always up for a long walk or two and benefit from the exercise and fresh air.

One reason trips are grueling is that I find myself going hard through the day, then either working at night or doing a business dinner. Now, I try to give myself a night off or to sleep in late one morning.

While in transit, I think in advance about how I will use the time – making sure work is accessible on the plane, and always keeping plenty of reading material on hand. I also have found meal management is important. I never board a plane without having the kind of sandwich or snack that will get me through the trip.

These are the initial steps I have taken, and they are helping. I want to hear how others are handling this too. This is work in progress. I will keep you posted as I balance the demands of travel with the need to stay healthy, fit and vital.