Avoiding Painful Travel
November 14, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Saying that pain should be avoided is pretty obvious. Figuring out the best ways to accomplish this, however, takes a little help, so Road Warrior went to an expert at WebMD’s Back Pain Health Center for a little advice. As with any Internet advice, including Road Warrior, always check with your doctor or other professional before undertaking any changes in routine.
Here are some of the ideas our WebMD friends provided. First and foremost, stay relaxed and do things that are comfortable. You won’t get rid of backache by doing a bunch of painful exercises in a tiny hotel room. A large, comfortable room at one of our Extended Stay Hotels will help to reduce the stress of business travel that can keep that backache going.
Second, do gentle stretching and strengthening exercises in your most comfortable position. If sitting feels good, stretch with your hips bent. If standing is better, think about walking or other straight hip exercise. Remember, keep it comfortable.
If you must spend a lot of time in your car, take regular breaks to stretch and walk around. Don’t wait until you feel you need to stop; build in some rest time along the way. Drivers with seat heaters can deliver soothing warmth to lower back muscles by applying heat from time to time.
Daily stretching exercises, especially when traveling, can mean the difference between a great trip and a miserable time. WebMD has some helpful ideas and even provides pictures so you get the most from your effort. Click here to visit their site, and then click on “How do I exercise to reduce low back pain?” Road Warrior learned a few new tricks; you may as well.
As always, you should seek the advice of your physician with any concerns you have regarding a medical condition, as this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Travel Shouldn’t be a Pain
November 13, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ever reached for your suitcase in the airport and felt that sharp back pain? If you have, you might expect an uncomfortable few days on the road. Road Warrior has some ideas that might make your business travel a little more comfortable.
For most back pain sufferers, applying heat or cold helps relieve the pain. If heat is your preference, here are some ideas. Put a damp hand towel in the microwave for 30 seconds, adding more time if necessary. Place the warm towel in a plastic bag and apply to the appropriate area for 15 to 20 minutes, rewarming the towel as needed.
If cold is your preferred treatment, stop by the corner grocery and pick up a couple of bags of frozen peas. Because they confirm to almost any shape, they deliver plenty of cold to just the right places. If you don’t want to head to the store, put a damp hand towel in a plastic bag in a freezer for 15 minutes. Then apply the bag to the painful spot.
Hopefully you are staying at an Extended Stay Hotel since all of our hotel rooms have both a microwave and a freezer. After all, making you as comfortable as possible is what Extended Stay Hotels are all about.
As always, you should seek the advice of your physician with any concerns you have regarding a medical condition, as this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Road Warrior has more ideas to help keep your business and pleasure travel painless, so come back again soon.
Safety First
October 30, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Someone once said that it is always “better to be safe than sorry.” We couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to safeguarding our valuables when traveling.
Protecting our money, credit cards, and other valuables is not something most of us think about until we find that we have been pickpocketed and are scrambling to set things right.
A future Road Warrior blog will offer some ideas about dealing with a loss while traveling, but for now, let’s consider the “ounce of prevention” that is so preferable to the “pound of cure.”
First and foremost, when in a new place, be inconspicuous. If you’re attracting the attention of other travelers, you are also making yourself known to pickpockets. Thieves often choose the person flashing the most cash, wearing the most expensive clothing, or laughing the loudest in crowded bars or hotels.
To limit losses, carry only the cash and credit cards you need, leaving the rest in a secure place, like the free safety deposit box provided at the front desk of every Extended Stay Hotel. If you are traveling in pairs, split valuables between you and keep them in several locations on your person.
For men, front pants pockets are better than back pockets, since most thieves want your wallet and not to look you in the eye. Women travelers should wear their shoulder bags with the strap diagonally across their body.
Here’s a tip for those of us who love long walks along a crowded city street - walk against the pedestrian traffic. The clever pickpocket wants to slip up behind you, something made almost impossible by walking against the flow.
Whether we're on the road for fun or business travel, let’s be sure we remain one step ahead of those who would steal from us.
Bus Travel
September 4, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The bus seems to be the ugly stepchild of business travel. Why would you take the bus? It takes longer and is prone to getting stuck in traffic. It may be cheap, but that isn’t usually the first business travel concern. However, buses really get an undeservedly bad rap. And that may be changing.
Some bus companies are enticing travelers by offering perks such as Wi-Fi access, comfortable seats, and express routes. They are usually cheaper than driving since the cost of fuel is shared, and with a driver at the helm, you can do work, read a book, or sleep.
Considering the time it takes to get through security, taking the bus to nearby places may not take longer door to door. And like the train, the bus usually goes from downtown to downtown, making it a convenient option for many. Plus, for some routes such as between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the bus is actually faster than the train due to its many stops. Given increasing airline delays, the bus can even be faster than planes.
Train Travel
September 2, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
With airlines now charging extra for baggage, in-flight entertainment, and even food, it may be time to rethink that next flight. Yet you may still have to get to that client meeting or other business event, so staying home isn’t necessarily an option. One alternative is train travel.
While fuel is making all travel more expensive, it is hitting some types of transportation harder than others. Train travel in the US is expensive due to the cost of track upkeep, yet it does not show signs of rising considerably higher. With plane tickets going up, there may be some advantage to staying on the ground.
Trains often run through cities, meaning that you can go from downtown to downtown. This means if you’re headed to a city destination, you can get there without worrying about grabbing an expensive cab to bring you in from an inconvenient airport. Trains also make you jump through fewer security hoops, so you don’t have to factor in hours at the airport. This also means your shoes can stay on your feet and you don’t have to dig out your laptop multiple times before you can travel. And while the cost may not be very different, you can feel good about choosing the “greener” option.
For more information on train travel, check out Road and Travel Magazine for tips on an enjoyable train ride and visit Amtrak to book tickets. Then be sure to book an Extended Stay Hotels suite at your destination.
USA Today just had an article discussing the possibility of a rebound in train travel. What do you think? Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Best Morning Coffee
July 17, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
One thing many road warriors want to have before starting out on a busy day is a cup of coffee. However, traveling takes you away from your own pantry, where you may stash your favorite brand of coffee grounds or beans. So where do you get your coffee when you’re on the road? Do you bring your own beans, find your favorite chain coffee store, or hunt out a favorite local coffee shop?
Extended Stay Hotels has a coffee maker in every suite, making it easy to make your own coffee first thing in the morning, saving you the trip to the coffee shop; you can also stash a frappuccino or two in the fridge. If you would rather someone make your coffee for you, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have many choices of coffee flavors as well as cold coffee drinks for the summer. Finally, by finding that hole-in-the-wall local place you can be rewarded with the best coffee in the area. However, it may take some hunting to scout out that perfect morning stop.
Most of the coffee chain places have store locators online and there is also a Caffeine Finder application available for your Blackberry. If you prefer to brew your own, don’t forget to pack a travel coffee mug.
Driving Tips for Road Warriors
July 1, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Driving this summer may be easier due to fewer cars on the road, but it will certainly be more expensive as well. Here are some driving tips for road warriors about how to keep costs down while still making it to all business destinations.
Pay in Cash
You might still be able to find gas for less than $4. There are some gas stations that are giving discounts for paying in cash. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to keep the receipt for reimbursement or a tax write-off.
Slow Down
With a tight schedule and a less crowded highway, there is great temptation to have a lead foot. However, this kills your gas mileage, costing considerably more for every mile over 50. Also, some counties have started adding fuel surcharges to speeding tickets, making them even more costly.
Keep Up on Vehicle Maintenance
An oil change while traveling on business can be an annoying chore, but probably worth the time and expense. A well maintained car is more gas efficient. This may be a reason to opt for a rental car, since the maintenance is already taken care of. Either way, be sure to check the tire pressure and add air as needed so you can pay less at the pump.
Ride Sharing
February 19, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Being eco-friendly while traveling is on the forefront of the minds of many Road Warriors lately. We have written before about green travel and now ride sharing, an earth friendly option, has been made easier to arrange and execute through an online program.
Ride sharing can take cars off the road and benefits business travelers headed in the same direction who may want some good company. PickupPal is a website that connects drivers and passengers online. It allows you to read reviews of drivers and passengers so you can make an informed choice. Rides are usually given at a price the driver chooses, but because you are sharing the ride, this could save you money over other means of transportation.
These kinds on online ride sharing sites are in some ways similar to hitchhiking, so use caution and common sense if you decide to use the service. You could meet a great new friend or business contact, all while helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Cup Holder Meals
February 12, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
If you've spent much time in a car on the road, I’m
sure you've discovered techniques for eating while driving. For anyone
who would rather not take on this juggling feat, it looks like there
might be a solution. Maybe. Check it out,
the all in one chicken nugget drink cup. The insert fits into the top
of the cup and is the perfect place for finger foods. Then, the cold
drink is in the bottom, reachable through the straw hole.
I must admit, it has potential. It's not the healthiest meal option, but what fast food is? For a healthy alternative to this all-in-one cup holder meal, perhaps you could grab one of those drinkable yogurts, or roll up your sleeves in your Extended Stay Hotels in-suite kitchen and make your own.
Travel Humor
February 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hopefully your next trip goes smoothly, but we all know that no matter how much you plan, travel can be frustrating. Sometimes the one essential thing to bring with you in order to keep your sanity is a sense of humor. To stay amused while on the road, check out some of these funny sites.
Air Traffic Controller Quotes
The Perfect Storm by Dave Barry
New Strain of Jet Lag Devastates Airline Industry by The Onion
Airline Humor from World's Best Deals
Travel Humor from Johnny Jet
