The Travel Manager’s Guide to Supporting Your Employees’ Health & Wellness During Travel

Employees are the backbone of any organization and supporting your employees’ needs is an excellent way to support your business. Business travel presents employees with a range of challenges including logistical difficulties in completing work tasks, unexpected travel delays, and added stress when juggling responsibilities while navigating unfamiliar locations. That’s why investing in the health and wellness needs of workers who travel frequently for business has never been more important for HR managers. Sanctifly is here to help corporations take care of your employees with new wellness options to change the landscape of corporate travel for employees.

Booking Direct Flights Whenever Possible Reduces Hassle for Traveling Employees Finding a direct flight for employees traveling for work is a great way to decrease travel hassle. Direct flights are often more cost-effective and can reduce the time travelers spend waiting around on extended layovers. Choosing the most efficient flight gets workers to their destinations more quickly with less risk of lost luggage. According to recommendations from SmarterTravel, a direct flight serves as one of the best ways to avoid connection issues during travel. Travelers can also avoid delays due to missed connecting flights.

Aim for “Goldilocks Layovers” for Flyers If layovers are unavoidable, finding a layover that’s not too short, but not too long either can reduce stress and time in transit. Although comfort level varies for each traveler (and also by airport, size, and time of day), a good general rule is 1 hour minimum for transfers, and no more than 3 hours total in the airport. For tickets booked with a single airline, the airline sets minimum transfer times for each hub they serve, and they’ll book passengers only on connections that meet those minimums. However, if you’re booking each leg of the journey yourself, it’s important to ensure travelers have enough time to change flights comfortably without added stress, but if that requires a much longer layover, be sure you provide wellness recommendations and access at the layover airport. Remember that changes between domestic and international flights almost always involve a terminal change, and that will take longer than changing flights within the same terminal.

Look out for open bid actions on Business and First-Class Tickets Register for auctions for seat upgrades. Sometimes there can be great deals to be found which fit in to your travel bduget. Additionally, these upgraded seating opportunities deliver access to perks such as increased in-flight food options as well as more space and time to comfortably get work done during travel time. Economy seats often don’t come with any included meals except on longer journeys, and travelers have to remember to request or pre-pay for meals that accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences they may have. While business and first class tickets have the obvious perk of being more comfortable, the upgraded meals, quieter cabin, and better service can go a long way to helping your travelers feel cared for and relaxed when they land at work or home.

Upgraded Accommodations Can Make Being Away from Home More Comfortable As employees prepare to tackle important assignments on a corporate trip, being well-rested is vital. While being away from familiar comforts is unavoidable, obtaining upgraded accommodations for workers can help provide a restful environment to support them in taking on business assignments with energy.

Having Prepared Food and Meal Delivery Options for Travel Days Alleviates One More Concern for Travelers During business trips, the ability for employees to prepare their own meals can be limited. Since not all accommodations provide access to kitchens or kitchenettes for guests, having a plan for acquiring prepared food or taking advantage of meal delivery options is a great way to alleviate workers’ concerns about locating convenient meals during travel. While the easiest way is to provide food during long meetings and conference days, it’s also important to remember that people often have to make sacrifices and compromises when it comes to their dietary preferences during long travel days. It’s difficult to provide food options on travel days, but travelers who are members of the Sanctifly app are able to view healthy food options and airport maps for hundreds of major airports around the world, allowing them to see what’s available at their terminal, and even access exclusive options in lounges and hotel gyms and restaurants that would otherwise only be available to lounge members and hotel guests.

Provide Meditation and Mindfulness Resources to Help Employees Maintain a Problem-Solving Mindset While Traveling Remaining work-focused while on a business trip can prove difficult. Between the unfamiliar work environment and grappling with the loss of everyday routines, workers may struggle with decision fatigue and distraction. Providing meditation and mindfulness resources offer employees an opportunity to reset and access their problem-solving skills to better accomplish tasks. With a Sanctifly membership, your travel team has access to a wide range of tools designed to support a mindset of mindfulness during business trips. Travelers can access our library of mini workout and stretch routines that can be completed in a hotel room or even while waiting for their flight to help get re-centered in the midst of a hectic schedule.

Establish Backup Options in the Event of Delays and Cancellations to Reduce the Stress of an Unexpected Situation Flight cancellations and travel delays are among the most stressful challenges corporate travelers encounter during trips. According to Reuters, during the Memorial Day 2022 holiday weekend, more than 2,500 flights were canceled by United States airlines and this trend is expected to continue as the year progresses. As summer ramps up in 2022, staffing and pilot shortages are predicted to cause high rates of flight cancellations and delays. Having established backup plans in place to contend with these issues takes some of the anxiety out of dealing with these challenges. Make Sanctifly a proactive part of your organization’s travel planning. We work with our hotel partners to provide day rooms, access to hotel amenities, and other convenience features that make a delayed or canceled flight less stressful.

Access to Airport Maps & Healthy Food Options Helps Employees Quickly & Easily Navigate an Unfamiliar Airport When arriving at an unfamiliar airport, being able to efficiently navigate to areas such as car rental and return hubs helps to streamline the arrival and departure processes. Additionally, the ability to easily locate healthy food options while traveling can be a challenge. Travelers being able to identify a great spot for a meal can help cut down on aimless wandering around the terminal, resulting in less anxiety about finding food in time to be able to enjoy it before boarding their next flight. Additionally, being able to quickly and easily identify healthy meal options can help travel employees avoid the pitfall of choosing the first food option available, which may not offer the most nutritious dining experience. The Sanctifly app has healthy food options and airport maps for hundreds of major airports, allowing members to use a single app to get access to everything they need for healthy, stress-free airport downtime.

De-Stress the Travel Process with Perks like Massages, Saunas, & Spa Access Being away from familiar surroundings and routines can be stressful. Based on a study conducted for World Bank Group, approximately 75% of staff disclosed feeling high or very high stress related to business travel. Whether employees are looking for a way to get into a positive mindset at the beginning of a business trip or decompress as they journey home, travelers with a Sanctifly membership can enjoy access to saunas, a massage, or take advantage of spa services at participating partners. After working in a new setting, navigating an unfamiliar city, and contending with other travel-related challenges, employees can de-stress as they wait for a flight. Sanctifly offers access to 140 airport spa locations with a membership plan.

Provide Travelers with a Sanctifly Membership to Pass the Airport Downtime With a Sanctifly membership, travelers for your business can pass their downtime at the airport in comfort. Did you know that we partner with over 250 executive airport lounges that your employees can access using their membership? Whether business travelers are looking for a comfortable place to pass the time until their next flight or a place to quickly freshen up before or after a flight, we have our members covered. Are you ready to create a new mindset for your employees around business travel? Sanctifly is here for you. Join the world’s largest Travel Wellness club and provide worldwide travel wellness benefits for your entire team—for less than $1 per employee. Sanctifly partners with a wide range of businesses and services specifically designed to deliver a travel experience tailored to employees’ health and wellness needs.

From Bored to Blissful: How to Improve Your Travel Downtime Experience

Travel downtime includes time spent waiting in lines at bus stops, airports, and train stations. It can be tiresome, uncomfortable, and even upsetting to travel frequently. Downtime while traveling, meanwhile, need not necessarily be a bad thing. In fact, it could be an opportunity to relax, recharge, and even have fun.

Making the most of your downtime when traveling is crucial since it can greatly affect how enjoyable your trip is in general. You'll feel more renewed, energized, and even delighted when you arrive at your destination if you make good use of this time. Additionally, it can aid in lowering the stress and worry that frequently accompany travel.

Plan Ahead for Entertainment Prepare for long periods of waiting: Plan beforehand if you anticipate having to wait a long time. Bring enough entertainment to keep you occupied for the entire time you will be idle. Bring a variety of items: Avoid relying solely on one form of entertainment. Bring a range of things, including books, music, podcasts, games, and even downloaded movies or TV shows. Consider the type of transportation: Some entertainment alternatives can be more practical than others depending on the form of transportation you're using. Consider taking noise-canceling headphones, for instance, if you're traveling by plane and want to listen to music or podcasts. Bring a book or audiobook to keep you engaged on long car trips. Balance entertainment with relaxation: While entertainment is important, it's also crucial to unwind during your downtime while traveling. To aid you in napping or practicing meditation while you're idle, think about carrying a travel pillow or eye mask. Stretch and Move Your Body During downtime during a flight, prolonged sitting can make your body weary and stiff. You can feel better overall and reduce these sensations by moving your body, even in modest ways. Moving around can boost energy levels, alleviate muscle stress, and enhance circulation. Additionally, it can lessen the chance of blood clots, which can occur after prolonged sitting.

Stretch

You may perform a variety of easy stretches and exercises while traveling, including ankle rotations, shoulder rolls, leg extensions, and neck stretches. Yoga positions like forward folds and seated twists can be performed in confined spaces. Your Sanctifly membership has lots of stretchs and exercises routines that you can use again and again. Designed for when you are at the airport, apublic space with minimum workout gear to hand. Check out the Video tab under any of the TIME tiles in App.

During your downtime, set a phone reminder to remind you to stretch every hour or so.

Try Something New

Trying something new during travel downtime can help you make the most of your trip and create unforgettable experiences. Here are some ideas for trying something new during travel downtime: Language learning: During layovers, stroll through the terminal of the airport or the train station. To assist you to keep accountable for moving about when traveling, think about utilizing a fitness app or a fitness tracker. Meditation: Meditation can help you unwind and achieve inner peace when traveling, which can occasionally be stressful and overwhelming. There are numerous meditation applications available that provide guided meditations for travelers, like Headspace and Calm. You may appreciate the beauty around you and keep your attention on the here and now by practicing meditation. Journaling: Journaling is a great way to capture your travel experiences and emotions. You can use a traditional journal or a digital platform like Evernote to document your journey. Journaling can also help you reflect on your experiences and gain new insights. Creating GIFs: Consider making GIFs from your travel images if you enjoy photography and want to attempt something creative during your downtime. You use a GIF compressor to easily create fun and animated GIFs. Trying something new during travel downtime can help you break up the monotony of waiting and create lasting memories. It can also provide you with new skills and insights that you can apply to your everyday life. Don't be afraid to try something that challenges you, as it can lead to personal growth and new experiences.

Connect with Others Never be hesitant to start a discussion with other passengers. You can start by inquiring about their origins, intended destinations, or favorite attractions or activities in the neighborhood. This can be an excellent opportunity to meet new people, exchange travel advice, and discover various cultures. If you're traveling alone, especially, connecting with others can make you feel less lonely and alone. You can learn about various cultures and practices, develop new relationships, and obtain fresh perspectives and insights as a result. You may get the most out of your trip experience and establish enduring memories by engaging with others while you're idle while traveling. Don't be frightened to engage in conversation with a stranger and leave your comfort zone. Who you might run across or what you might learn is always a mystery. . Conclusion There are numerous ways to make the most of your downtime while traveling, whether you're sitting in an airport line or taking a break from sightseeing. You can transform your downtime while traveling from a tedious waiting game into a joyful and fulfilling experience by making plans ahead of time, being active, trying new things, interacting with others, and taking care of yourself.

Keep in mind that traveling is about the journey as much as the destination. You may make priceless memories and improve your vacation experience by making the most of your downtime while traveling. Make the most of your time the next time you have some downtime while traveling by using some of these suggestions.

Ronie Salazar Guest Contributor,. Ron is from VEED. He is a passionate content marketer with a wealth of knowledge in the online space. His curiosity and enthusiasm led to the development of a constantly expanding portfolio that includes anything from video editing services to publishing his original creations on top-notch websites.

What Perks Can You Get for Business Travel with Good Credit?

If we look at ‘How Business Travel Has Been Changed by the Pandemic’, it’s clear that automation and tech-driven innovation have been at the forefront of marrying remote working sensibilities and the need for face-to-face client interactions. While enterprises still aim to establish business relationships in-person, business travelers want more comfort and satisfaction to justify flying out all the time.

This shift is what makes memberships like Sanctifly an essential part of the business traveler’s arsenal. As travelers seek out perks that make each journey more fulfilling, much of it boils down to traveling with good credit. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits you can get from this pairing.

Access to Exclusive Airport Lounges

One of the most helpful resources to have during long flights and layovers is an airport lounge. This takes you away from the hustle and bustle of busy ports and gives you access to some much-needed amenities. Sanctifly members get a variety of options across airports that allow them to enjoy spas, fitness areas, and lounges that make it easier to make time spent waiting at the airport feel meaningful and even relaxing.

With good credit, you can also gain access to credit card-exclusive areas that have dining options with selective menus. According to Upgraded Points, credit card issuers not only do hard credit checks for applicants but also run soft inquiries to assess whether or not you have bad credit standing. It’s worth taking care of your standing if you frequent airports on a regular basis, if only to take advantage of the lounges.

Flight Delay Services

Air travel can be a real nightmare, especially in a post-pandemic world that is starting to see tourism rise again. Time Magazine reports that long security lines, flight delays, and unclaimed luggage are and will continue to be an issue for the foreseeable future. At some of the worst points in recent memory, flyers saw around 1,700 flights get cancelled in a single month.

While there’s no going around these major issues, having good credit allows you to streamline any flight adjustments you need to make and even access trip delay protection from select card memberships. With Sanctifly, you also get a benefit that awards you 100 points in your membership credit if your flight is delayed by two or more hours. This essentially gives you access to pool usage, gym time, or a spa visit for up to 16 registered flights.

Partner Promotions and Offers

One of the best things about having good credit is that you get access to a wider array of partner promotions and offers because of the financial lines available to you. Instead of simply flitting from location to location full of stress, you have the means to unwind at select spaces with discounts and complimentary services.

Among Sanctifly’s membership perks is access to over 30 hotel partners where you can take a break, have a filling and delicious meal, and enjoy the amenities. The shuttle service for hotels like the Sheraton at Schiphol and the Hyatt Regency Orlando, among others, also comes with the perk for free.

Travel Daily Media notes that 2023 travel trends lean toward wellness and improving quality of life. As recreational travelers focus on spiritual trips and locations, business travelers can bask in this experience by using perks to visit exclusive spas and wellness centers.

Travel Rewards Program Eligibility

When you maintain a good credit score, you are more likely to get higher tiers of memberships and credit cards that allow you to fully capitalize on travel rewards. This is particularly helpful when you want to get more out of trips you have to take for work anyway. With CNBC revealing that airlines are raising their standards for travel perk eligibility, you want to ensure that you are making your business trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible by keeping up your credit.

Over 50% of the options suggested by Sanctifly on how to make the most of your travel downtime are free and all the mediation, exercise and eating tips can be used again and again. Click here for more details on how to get the most from you Sanctifly membership

Navigating Business Travel as a Single Parent

Traveling for work can be exciting. It opens up opportunities to meet new people, grow your network, and experience new things. It also allows you to grow and develop new skills by being in different situations with different demands. However, when you’re a single parent, business travel can also be stressful and overwhelming.

You might feel guilty if you have to leave your children at home with someone else or take them to a friend or relative’s house. Then again, you could feel a different type of guilt if you choose to miss out on travel opportunities.

So, what’s the solution? How can you navigate business travel as a single parent without causing family issues?

Work With Your Employer

More than ever, employers are focused on company culture. They want to know what their employees want, so they can foster an environment of growth, retention, and loyalty. One of the best things you can do to navigate your concerns about traveling for work is to talk to your employer.

Women, especially, face different needs than men, including specific healthcare needs after having children. Talk to your employer about identity-specific care when you’re away from home. In addition to ensuring your health needs are met while traveling, ask your employer to consider how you might achieve a better balance with your home life if you’re going to be traveling frequently.

That might include working remotely when you’re not traveling, or taking a few extra days off to be with your family and recoup after a few days away.

More often than not, employers are willing to listen to the needs and wants of their workers, so don’t be afraid to speak up and work out an agreement that gets everyone what they want.

Identify Your Goals

Business travel is fun and exciting, but is it really doing anything to advance your career? Do you really need to be jet-setting away from your family to reach your goals?

That can be a hard question to ask, and an even harder realization to come to. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of traveling for work, and whether it’s doing anything for your career. When you identify your goals and consider how you want to advance your career, you might determine that traveling is unnecessary in helping you move forward. Or, you might decide that you need to keep traveling to build your network and grow your skills. Asking yourself some of the following questions can help you decide if your current job and travel situation are helping you advance:

• Is it possible to maintain my job while caring for my children?

• Do I have flexibility?

• Do I feel fulfilled?

• Is there room here for growth?

• Does my employer support me?

Asking yourself these tough questions can help you determine what you need from your current job, or if it’s the right place for you. No parent wants to be away from their kids more than necessary, so if traveling isn’t advancing your career or helping you reach your goals, it may be time to re-evaluate.

Strike the Right Balance

If you have to travel and it’s doing something good for your career, the next best thing is to find a healthy balance between your work life and home life. There are many childcare solutions for parents who travel, but that’s probably not your main concern.

Instead, you’re likely thinking about the things you might miss out on with your little ones, or how to handle missing them (and them missing you) while you’re away.

While leaving home will undoubtedly be difficult every time you have to do it, you can find a better balance by preparing your family for your trips.

Make sure your kids know what work travel is, why you’re going, and how long you’ll be gone. Don’t avoid the topic. Be open about it, and willing to answer any questions they might have. You can make the transition smoother by:

• Having a family calendar

• Preparing everything your kids need before you leave

• Discussing feelings

• Scheduling special time with your kids before your trip

It can also help to stay connected with your children while you’re away. Thankfully, technology makes that easier than ever. Consider reading to your kids every night over the phone, sending photos of your trip every day, and calling or using FaceTime as much as possible to hear and see them. You can even start a tradition of bringing home a postcard or special gift for them from each of your trips.

As a single parent, it’s essential to find what works for you and your family when it comes to traveling for work. Prioritizing the well-being of your kids, making sure you’re doing something that will help your career (and allow you to provide), and making the most of the time you do spend with your children will make all the difference. Every situation is different, so don’t hesitate to make a plan, talk to your employer, and experience less guilt and anxiety as you spend time away from home.

Prepare For Crowded Airport Lounges

Last year, airport lounges across the world were quiet spaces full of empty seats. Today, they are often full to capacity. There are three reasons why. First; the increased demand for travel is scaling beyond the ability of the operators to recruit. Covid restrictions also have a part to play, travelers are spending more time at the airport thanks to delayed and cancelled flights. Finally, we are all advised to arrive earlier at the airport, effectivly almost doubling the hourly volume of people in the airport at peck times.

The knock on effect is even with a Sanctifly access code, our members are unfortunately not guaranteed entry. While our lounges will do everything to admit guests with an access code, this will be limited to the capacity at the time.

We strongly recommend you book at least one day in advance and confirm on the lounge website your expected time of entry. Note this must be no more than 3 hour before your flight take off time.

For longer layovers, please confirm all the 3-6 hour options on the Sanctifly App.

A small comfort; if you are refused entry, Sanctfifly will reinstate your points so you can book another available location, we have 10 options at our top 100 airports to choose from.

Travel well

Which lounges are Sanctifly affiliated with?

We are delighted to partner with the following lounge partners: No1 Lounges, PlazaPremium and DragonPass. If you are having difficulties entering a lounge, here is what to do:

No1 Lounges: If you are entering a No1 Lounge, you will need to register your access code beforehand. We do recommend booking in advance to guarantee a spot in the lounge. You can book in advance here https://no1lounges.com. Enter your access code in the ‘Promo code’ box when asked.

PlazaPremium: access codes begin with “PPLNG”. Please advise the lounge operator that the code is compatible with PlazaPremium's system.

DragonPass: If your access code contains a “DP”, this means it is a DragonPass voucher. Please advise the lounge operator to drop the “DP” and enter the code into their system.

In the unlikely event a Sanctifly member is denied entry at a lounge, rest assured the points will be returned to your account.

Remember, Sanctifly is not just a lounge access app. If you are at the airport and the lounge is full, Sanctifly has plenty of other recommendations on how to spend your airport downtime. Our members get access to 3,500 wellness, fitness and relaxation options at 175 airports. Our members also get up to 100 hours of travel wellness content. Check out this blog to see how you can get the most out of your Sanctifly membership.

Get Better Value With Sanctifly

Did you know, that Sanctifly members get up to 75% discount at our paid location partners? We have hand picked a few of our most popular lounge, wellness, fitness and relaxation options for you to consider on your next trip.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK

JFK's Clubhouse is a space that oozes uptown style. The moment you walk in you’ll be transported into a world of graceful elegance, with soothing lighting and luxurious furnishings.

Save $43 with Sanctifly!
Walk Up Rate: $78
Sanctifly Rate: $25-$35 (125 points)

Hilton Boston Logan Airport

Sanctifly members get access to the hotel's top class fitness center and swimming pool. Plus, get access to the hotel's luggage storage facilities.

Save up to $304 with Sanctifly!
Walk Up Rate: Unavailable to non-room guests. To access the gym, book a room from $304.
Sanctifly rate: Sanctifly Rate: $18-$28 (100 points)

No1 Lounge at LHR Terminal 3

A place of sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle at one of the world's busiest airports is now back open daily. A visit to the No1 Lounge will leave you refreshed for your onward journey.

Save up to $26 with Sanctifly!
Walk Up Rate: $44
Sanctifly Rate $18-$28 (100 points)

Enjoy Sanctuary with SIXT

Sanctifly and SIXT have teamed up to offer Sanctifly members some amazing exclusive deals.

Sanctifly Members Get:

• Up to 15% discount on SIXT Car Rental at participating locations.

• Complimentary access to the exclusive SIXT operated Diamond Lounge at selected locations around the world when booking rentals in category P, L or X.

• 8% discount on SIXT Ride (chauffeur driven vehicles and airport transfers)

Hilton Munich Airport

Sanctifly members can avail of a 2 hour pass at the hotel’s newly renovated fitness center, pool and showers. The hotel is conveniently located between Termnal 1 and Terminal 2

Save up to $11 with Sanctifly!
Walk Up Rate: $29
Sanctifly Rate: $18-$28 (100 points)

Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow
Sanctifly members get access to the hotel's fitness center and swimming pool. Located 3 miles from LHR.

Save up to $100 with Sanctifly
Walk Up Rate: Unavailable to non-room guests. To access the wellness facilities, book a room from $118.
Sanctifly rate: $18-$28 (100 points)

Air Canada Maple Leaf at FRA

Get access to a private sleep pod, shower facilities, fresh food, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and much more during your layover at Frankfurt Airport.

Save up to $32 with Sanctifly
Walk Up Rate: $50
Sanctifly Rate: $18-$28 (100 points)

Tap Into Your Wellness Needs

Let Sahara Rose De Vore, help you tap into your wellbeing needs so that you can choose the best wellness activities and experiences that turn your trip into one of purpose, meaning, relief, and personalized outcomes.

Save $44 with Sanctifly!
Walk Up Rate: $100
Sanctifly Rate: $56 (200 points)

How Business Travel Has Been Changed by the Pandemic

Business travel used to be an absolute necessity in many industries, supporting millions of jobs and injecting billions of dollars into the U.S. economy. The Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting technological advances born of necessity from it, have changed the landscape dramatically. It used to be that any business with geographically distant clientele would be obligated to travel to connect with those clients. How could you do business if you hadn’t shaken hands? It was a no-brainer.

Today, many more businesses find themselves pushed into the sometimes uncomfortable yet vital realm of new technology to aid remote collaboration and build culture beyond the office. These companies’ careful weighing of the benefits and detriments of business travel is shaping the travel landscape as we know it.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

For some companies, pandemic-spurred technological developments are proving beneficial. Their business models and products allow them to leverage technologies like video conferencing and chat platforms to build and improve upon their company cultures. For other organizations, schools, for example, these technologies are simply an acceptable stop-gap.

Where a company or organization falls on that spectrum depends entirely on its unique business needs. If a company’s farthest business partner is a short two-hour drive away, for example, the notion of building an entire virtual team might be a little heavy-handed. Building a virtual team necessitates creating mechanisms to ensure strong communication, trust, team-building, and more. These aspects of culture and communication develop more organically in person, making simple in-person meetings a more effective way to manage the issues that arise in day-to-day business.

Alternatively, a company with partners across international time zones might find the flexibility of a virtual team invaluable. Instead of paying for employees to travel around the world, the company could simply assign an agent to the region and communicate across time zones virtually. Utilizing technology would allow the company to subvert the time constraints of a traditional work-day schedule.

There are also many pros to business travel. According to a report published by the Harvard Business Review a face to face request is 34 times more likely to succeed than an email request and 95% of people say that face to face meetings are essential for established long term business relationships. Business travel also affords you great networking opportunities to help broaden your network and progress your career and bring bigger and better deals to your boss.

Travel is a fantastic tool for broadening your mind and expanding your knowledge. When you travel for business you get the chance to experience new places, new cultures and different ways of working, all of which will help you build a more well-rounded world view.

Whether a company decides that its business needs require in-person interactions or can be transitioned to a virtual setting, one thing is for certain: post-pandemic business travel has become more of a choice than a requirement.

Business Traveler Satisfaction

The distinction between travel being a choice or a requirement has far-reaching implications not only for companies but for their employees as well. In February 2022, 42% of employees who traveled frequently for business pre-pandemic said “they’ll never return to the road.” Employees who opt for jobs that require travel have always had a certain amount of agency, but companies who decide to return to business travel post-pandemic must recognize that their employees now have an added layer of choice.

If travel is not an integral part of a company’s product, it is now a much harder sell to assert that it is a business necessity. There are legitimate virtual team-building technologies that have proven it’s possible to successfully side-step said travel. Virtual teams may require more front work on the part of the organization, but to an employee, it can be a real perk when done well. Through the lens of employee retention and satisfaction, if an employee is unhappy with their employer’s decision to require business travel, there are always competitor companies who would happily head-hunt dissatisfied employees and allow them to conduct all of their responsibilities from the comfort of their homes.

As employees travel for work in 2022, they want to feel safe. Traveler wellness is now a top priority for many companies, and benefits like Sanctifly are here to support this. Travel can often be stressful, but, with 3500 lounge, fitness, wellness and relaxation options at airports Sanctifly helps travelers to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Businesses are recognizing that in choosing to return to the practice of regular travel, they’re asking their employees to make sacrifices that are perhaps more difficult to justify. To keep those employees happy, even companies that opt to return to traditional travel must adopt new attitudes to incentivize and promote the mental health of their traveling class of workers.   

Bleisure Travel

All of these pandemic-induced factors coalesce to form a more empowered, flexible traveler workforce. Workers can now ask their employers to help them blend aspects of business and leisure travel, and not get laughed out of the office. “Bleisure” refers to this practice – it’s business travel, paid for by the employee’s company, that encourages coupling work and play to reduce stress and expense. This can mean bringing the family along on a business trip, spending an extra week sightseeing, or taking a few days in between trade shows to shop and eat out at local restaurants.

One thing bleisure is not is a company-paid personal vacation. At its core, bleisure travel is a wellness perk for business travelers. Companies are happy to support their employees in taking extra leisure time because they recognize the innately stressful nature of business travel.

In addition to encouraging employees to take advantage of blended travel opportunities, some companies further support their travelers’ wellbeing by signing them up for traveler wellness memberships like Sanctifly. Members get access to resources that help them fight jet lag, eat healthy in the airport, and find exercise options while traveling. A company willing to take care of its employee’s personal wellness on the road is the ultimate blending of work and personal travel. Programs like these will help business travelers of the future thrive and love that they eschewed work-from-home for a career that includes travel.

There is no doubt that business travel has changed since the pandemic reshaped our global business world. Business travelers saw the most immediate impact of global shutdowns and travel restrictions, and since then it has been up to every company to decide how they want to move forward.

Not every company will change its travel practices dramatically, but most have seen the promising influence that technology can have on their business models and employees. Company leaders have seen the ways that technology can support their company culture, can help them cross geographical distances, and can encourage them to prioritize individual wellness. A revised post-pandemic travel policy may not be right for every business, but the technological changes spurred by the pandemic will have a lasting impact on every business traveler.

How Sanctifly Can Benefit Your Recruitment Process in the Face of the Great Resignation

Did you know that “in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs,” (Fuller & Kerr, 2022)? In the wake of the Great Resignation, having incredible benefits to offer prospective employees can make the difference between missing an opportunity and managing to hire the right person for your team. Being in a travel-heavy role has always been a difficult position to hold and the events of the past few years have only increased the stress and logistical issues travel employees have to contend with in their day-to-day work lives. Sanctifly is an excellent way for recruiters to meet a variety of needs for business travelers in a simple and cost-effective way. As an employer, I have seen first-hand the vital role travel worker support plays in retaining well-qualified staff and hiring exceptional new employees. Not only does providing a robust benefits package assist in recruiting and retaining employees. Workers who feel recognized for their efforts are more likely to be more productive and focused in their roles. Recruiters have the challenging job of proving to prospective employees how your business supports travel workers by providing easy access to tools and facilities that can help reduce work-related travel anxiety.

Find Ways to Combat Stress for Business Travelers

Supporting employees starts with maintaining a healthy mindset around business travel. As someone who travels for business somewhat regularly, I know how tiring being stuck in an airport can be and the past few years have only made those challenges more pronounced. There are a wide range of stressors that business travelers must face. Things such as loss of routine, difficulty in locating healthy meal options, and trying to quickly navigate unfamiliar areas can lead to exhaustion and burnout among travel employees. 

While every new airport presents a new adventure, for employees trying to complete vital tasks while traveling or weary travelers making their way home, being able to simply and easily navigate an unfamiliar airport is a relief. Providing access to information such as where to return a rental car, how to locate a healthy meal, or finding a place to quickly freshen up are easy ways your business can let travel workers know you’re here for their needs, whether they are working from the office or from the road. That’s where I believe Sanctifly can help your business in attracting the employees your organization needs. 

With a Sanctifly membership, your employees will have access to 260 airport executive lounges with showers so travelers can refresh on the way to their business destination or as they prepare to head home. Sanctifly also offers exclusive curated guides to wellness options available at any airport. 

Help Employees Contend with Travel Delays

What about when an employee’s flight is canceled? Rather than leaving your business travelers stranded and scrambling to revise their itineraries, let them know you have their back. Having a process in place for how to deal with cancellations and delays when they happen can help reduce the anxiety of contending with uncertainty. Make Sanctifly part of your flight delay and cancellation plan. 

No one likes being stranded in the airport for long periods of time. A Sanctifly membership offers travelers the opportunity to decompress from stressful delays by passing the time at available airport lounge and spa facilities. Employees can also enjoy access to day rooms and integrated luggage while waiting on a delayed or rescheduled flight. Letting prospective business travel employees know you are committed to supporting their wellness needs goes a long way to recruiting the right team members for your organization in a competitive hiring market.

Support Workers in Establishing a Routine While Away from Home

Being out of a normal routine can lead to employees struggling to focus in a new environment. As a recruiter, you want to let prospective workers know your organization is prepared to partner with them to make these transitions as painless as possible. Providing resources to benefits such as simple stretches they can do in the privacy of their hotel room, hotel pool access to energize, or access to hotel and airport gyms in the area can go a long way in ensuring you are delivering the support your teammates in travel-heavy positions need. 

Successful Employee Recruitment Starts With Benefits

In order to recruit exceptional staff in the wake of the Great Resignation, organizations must be prepared to support potential employees beyond a paycheck. Offering mental health support and benefits designed to combat burnout are an excellent step toward hiring the team member that is the right fit for your company. I believe Sanctifly’s wellness-focused approach to employee support is a common sense and cost-effective way to offer additional benefits for staff in travel-heavy roles.

Travel Wellness Roundup: Summer 2022

In 2022, both leisure and business travel have come roaring back. It all feels like a blur. Just a year ago, many of us were hesitantly dipping our toes back into travel. Now, although restrictions and safety practices remain in place, travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels. As our mission is to help you travel well & stay fit while you fly, we make sure to stay up to date with what’s happening in the travel wellness world. Here are some of the best reads of the summer so far.

This is the Travel Wellness Roundup – Summer 2022 Edition. We’re sharing the most interesting travel wellness content that the Sanctify team has encountered in the last few weeks. Travel well!

Travel as Healing – New York Times

Instead of hitting as many tourist sites as they can in a week, travelers are opting for more relaxing, wellness-focused vacations in 2022. The New York Times says that in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no surprise that travelers want to work on their mental and physical wellness during their time off.

“In a recent American Express survey, 76 percent of respondents said they wanted to spend more on travel that improves their well-being,” the New York Times says. “About 55 percent said they would be willing to pay extra for these services or activities.” (Concepción de León)

Worldwide Resorts To Celebrate Global Wellness Day, June 11, 2022 — Forbes

Global Wellness Day is an entirely not-for-profit day, a social project dedicated to living well. The purpose of the day is to ask the question, even if for just one day, “How can I live a healthier and better life?” and to direct the thoughts of both individuals and society towards “living well” and raise awareness. Now in its 11th year, Global Wellness Day is credited with helping change the perception of “self-care” from a selfish pursuit to a necessity. 

Many travel wellness trends have changed since the event’s inception eleven years ago. Wellness travel is no longer a luxury-only experience—it’s become more inclusive and accessible; spending time in nature has become more recognized as a wellness pursuit by both consumers and proprietors; and authentic experiences that reflect the local culture of a destination are more in demand. 

Participating resorts include Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic; Skyterra in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina; Half Moon, Montego Bay, in Jamaica; and many more. (Roger Sands)

With a rise in Covid cases, should people change summer travel plans? An expert weighs in — CNN Travel 

Memorial day weekend saw a jump in both Covid-19 cases and travel plans over last year. Should you cancel your summer travel plans? Dr. Leana Wen, author of Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health, emergency physician, and professor of health policy and management at George Washington University, says, 

“Not necessarily. There may be some people who want to reevaluate their travel plans, and everyone should think through contingencies — but I don't think that most people should have to cancel their summer travel… Those who are generally healthy, and vaccinated and boosted, are at low risk for severe illness due to Covid-19. It's reasonable for many people to say that, given their low risk, they are fine resuming pre-pandemic activities and are not going to restrict their travel or other activities. Yes, there is still a small chance they could become very ill, and long-term symptoms from the coronavirus infection remain possible, but many people are concluding that they will assume that risk because the value of travel and all other pre-pandemic activities is so high to them.” (Katia Hetter)

One Big Thing: The Summer of “Revenge Travel” – Axios

Axios says that after more than two years of COVID-19-related cancellations, Americans are shelling out cash for “revenge travel” to make up for experiences and time lost. Whether through upgrading to business or first class, splurging for a five-star hotel, or staying in destinations for a week or two longer, we’re all treating ourselves. Axios says that nearly 9 out of 10 Americans are planning to travel this summer, and they’re willing to opt for higher cost options while they’re at it. (Jennifer A. Kingson and Joann Muller)

These Are the National Parks Requiring Reservations to Visit in 2022 – Condé Nast Traveler

The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a national interest in getting outside into nature in an unprecedented way. For four consecutive months in the summer of 2021, Yellowstone National Park shattered records for most recreational visitors. 

“In 2022, visitor numbers are anticipated to surge even higher as more international visitors are expected to return. But that growth has a very real impact on the natural wonders that are meant to be protected and preserved by their NPS status. … The main strategy for crowd control? Reservation systems,” Condé Nast Traveler says.

Some of the most popular parks are now requiring reservations for some of the most popular hiking and driving routes. Those parks include Yosemite, Zion, Acadia, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Dinosaur National Monument. (Rachel Chang)

Hotels and Airlines Cause Stress. Now They’re Trying to Relieve It. — The Wall Street Journal

Simply feeling relaxed on vacation doesn’t cut it anymore for a growing number of travelers. Many say they are more intently focused on their mental health and overall wellness on their trips as they have navigated the stresses of the pandemic. 

Travel companies are embracing wellness travel, offering free virtual therapy sessions and ‘joy ambassadors’ as pandemic-weary vacationers hit the road. (Allison Pohle)

How Does Business Travel Impact Mental Health?

“I get to travel soon! But I have to work the entire time.” Have you ever had this thought? If so, you are likely aware of the ways in which business travel can stress you out, and even negatively impact your mental health. Below, we'll explore this issue and what you can do about it.

How Can Business Travel Adversely Affect Me?

Productivity

It might sound strange; after all, you’re traveling for work. How can your productivity be affected by that? As it turns out, we tend to be less productive when we’re on the road. This is due to a variety of factors, including more time spent in transit, recovering from jet lag or the general fatigue of travel, and even just the change of pace throwing our schedule off a bit. To top it all off, when we travel, we’re often disconnected from supervisors or bosses who typically support us.

Due to all of these factors, productivity can lag despite the fact that you're traveling specifically for work! Creating a work schedule can help you to achieve your goals while you travel for business.

Diet Disruption

Typically there are fresh foods to eat to maintain good health not only physically, but also mentally. When you travel, however, you often wind-up eating whatever’s most convenient. (Don’t worry, we’re all guilty of it). Often enough, that convenient food we eat during our travels isn’t the healthiest, and it throws whatever diet we typically maintain out of whack.

While this won’t necessarily do much damage if it only happens on occasion, problems may arise if you’re a frequent traveler. A poor diet can result in everything from weight gain, worse sleep, and to feelings of disappointment or failure.

The health food trend is a global one, and there are plenty of ways to stick to your diet, regardless of where or how you’re traveling. If you’re sticking to domestic travel, you can always pack healthy snacks, and to some extent entire meals. If work sends you abroad, meanwhile, try to do a little research in advance of your trip. You'll likely be able to get a feel for the area and figure out where to find healthier options. The Sanctifly app has researched the healthiest spots to eat at the airport. We recommend restaurants that serve freshly prepared, healthy meals. Download the app today to see our recommendations, and for more content on what snacks to pack on your next trip.

Family and Relationship Issues

A work trip once in a while usually isn’t cause for concern, but frequent travelers often find themselves in hot water with loved ones. Your family members may feel abandoned while you're out of town, and you may experience feelings of guilt as the traveler. Naturally, these negative feelings can be exacerbated by longer trips, or those that take you particularly far from your everyday life.

In all of these ways, work travel can become a personal burden, and ultimately chip away at your mental health.

It’s important to keep in contact with family, even when you’re on a work trip. Technology makes this much easier than it used to be, and video calls are a cinch. Also consider separating time that can’t be touched by your employer, such as weekends or certain hours after the typical work day (which you should try to maintain even on the road!). This gives you and your family some time together regardless of what’s going on at the company.

Maintain Access to a Mental Health Practitioner

This is more of a tip for companies and employers than for travelers. But companies should ensure that employees have access to professionals who can offer mental health guidance when necessary. Today, experienced nurse practitioners are increasingly well trained in psychiatric and mental health areas, and can often be accessed via online portals and other forms of remote appointments.

Having these types of qualified professionals available –– whether through your company or via your own initiative –– ensures that help is an option if and when you feel the mental health burden of work travel.

The Sanctifly app can also help, with over 100 hours of wellness content in our library, ranging from mediations, exercise and stretch videos, and carefully curated healthy airport guides.

Unfortunately, stress from work travel remains an all-too-common issue. Findings from university studies of business travel have found definitively that those who travel more have the poorest "self-rated health," and suffer more from depression and anxiety.

Some of this is due to certain pressures that simply come with this kind of working lifestyle. However, by sticking to ordinary hours, making sure you have help available, eating healthy, and even keeping in touch with friends and loved ones, you can make frequent business travel less burdensome.

With over 3000 wellness options at 165 airports, Sanctifly is here to help support you and keep you healthy while on the road. Download the app and start creating better travel habits today.

Article exclusively written for Sanctifly

By Riva Jordyn

More Options added to Sanctifly!

36 New Lounges Added to Sanctifly

We are very excited to announce 36 new premium lounges added to Sanctifly, 25 of which are available to use right now. Located across USA, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia, Sanctifly members can unwind in these luxurious lounges. Amongst these new lounges are 5 Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges, 3 of which are available right now at JFK, SFO and IAD.

Enter these premium lounges today for amazing value. With Sanctifly, it only costs $25.00 on the pay-as you go membership to enter – or less than $15 on our premium plans. The best value on the market, anywhere.

Sanctifly Partners with Runnin'City 

We are delighted our new partnership with Runnin'City . Runnin’City is an innovative app providing its users with curated and narrated walking & jogging tracks at over 1900 locations globally. Sanctifly will be promoting Runnin'City's running & walking tracks at locations all over the world. This partnership will particularly benefit Sanctifly members who have a longer layover at the airport. Runnin'City members will also have the opportunity to purchase Sanctifly at a discounted rate.

Download Sanctifly Today

Download the Sanctifly app to explore all the facilities available to Sanctifly members.

Not traveling for a while? No problem! Purchase your membership today and wait to activate on your phone until just before you travel. Your 12 months starts on activation, not purchase.

No long term commitments. All memberships are backed by our 30 day no quibble money back guarantee.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Sanctifly Membership

The Sanctifly app helps our members to enjoy the journey and not just the destination. We have always been about wellness, and our goal is to help you develop better travel habits. As we begin to return to travel, you may find yourself asking, how do I find sanctuary while travelling? Where can I eat freshly prepared food? How can I make better use of my travel downtime? Sanctifly is the solution to answering all these questions and many more! Here are TEN quick tips on how to get the most out of your Sanctifly membership.

1. GO PREMIUM

As a premium member you can use Sanctifly points to gain access to our exclusive options such as access to gyms, spas and top quality lounges. Our members typically receive at least a 50% discount to the walk-up price.

Visit one of our premium lounge partners on your next journey. Escape from the overcrowded areas of the airport and relax in a quiet, luxurious space.

Melt away the stress and tension of traveling with one of XpresSpa’s exclusive relaxing massages, facials, nail and/or waxing treatments. An amazing way to enjoy your airport downtime, and it certainly beats sitting around by your gate!

Spend your airport downtime working up a sweat at one of our gym partners, then freshen up with a shower before your next flight. Our gyms are all located within a 5 mile radius of the airport.

Purchase your membership today to enjoy all the above and more!

2. TAKE A DIP

Is there anything better than a swim between flights? Use your Sanctifly points to go for a dip at one of our 42 pool partners, including the Hilton Boston Logan Inn, Le Meridien in Dubai or the Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre at London Heathrow. Feel energized and ready for your next flight, not to mention swimming has lots of mental health benefits.

3. BEAT JETLAG

Traveling to a different time-zone and worried about jetlag? We’ve got you covered! Minimize or eliminate any jet lag with Timeshifter. Use your Sanctifly points to get an annual membership. Timeshifter enables people to proactively “shift” their circadian clock quickly or “shift” the timing of an activity to the optimal circadian time to improve their safety, health, and performance.

4. EAT AND SNACK BETTER

When we are traveling, we are bombarded with many fast-food chains at the airport, or many of the airport restaurants do not freshly prepare the food onsite. Often the food arrives to the restaurant pre-made. Sanctifly guides our members to healthy food options, where the meals are prepared freshly onsite. Our app also contains content on healthy snacks you can bring for your journey. Through our partnership with AtYourGate, you can even get healthy food delivered directly to your gate!

5. UNLIMITED ACCESS

Did you know that Sanctifly premium members get unlimited access to exclusive wellness content? We have loads of easy to use fitness videos, only 10 minutes long which can be completed either in the airport or at home. Our videos cover a wide range of topics, from exercises for circulation to core strengthening and aerobics. You can also try our meditation exercises which can be completed anywhere. There are lots of blogs on topics such as how to find sanctuary at the airport, a return to travel Covid 19 series, or even what healthy snacks to pack for your trip.

6. PODCAST

Listen to our Traveler Reset: Redefining Healthy Travel series. Sanctifly experts discuss healthy travel topics with industry leaders. Health and wellness are a top priority and should be a key consideration when we fly again. We want to help travelers to prepare for their first flight in 2021 and make healthier choices while they are on the road. Let’s make healthy travel part of the conversation so that we don’t go back to our old unhealthy routines.
You can watch or listen to the full series today.

7. OVER 100 AIRPORT GUIDES

Sanctifly members get access to our carefully curated airport guides. These guides are broken down to separate time blocks, so we can recommend something for you, no matter how long or short your layover is.

8. THE SANCTIFLY TRAVEL WELLNESS GUIDE.

A comprehensive guide full of expert advice and tips to develop good travel habits for the future. The guide covers topics such as:

• Navigating the new normal

• Movement and fitness

• Eating well and nutrition

• Sleep well and jet lag management

• Managing travel stress

• Resetting your mindset

Download your free copy of the guide today. 

9. TAKE A WALK

If you have a long layover at an airport, we recommend you get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Our app recommends over 160 parks and beaches all over the world, all within a 5-mile radius of the airport. Go for a walk, run, stretch in the park, meditate or enjoy a book out in the open. Don’t feel like leaving the airport? We also have many other free recommendations such as meditation rooms, observation decks, or art exhibitions. BWI airport even has its own 5.7km indoor walking trail.

10. GET A RIDE

Sanctifly recently announced an amazing partnership with SIXT. Our members can now get up to 15% discount on SIXT Car Rental at participating locations.  When booking rentals in category P (Premium), L (Luxury) or X (Special), our members receive complimentary access to the exclusive SIXT operated Diamond Lounge at selected locations around the world. Our members also get an exclusive 8% discount on SIXT Ride, meaning you can book chauffeur driven vehicles and airport transfers for less! If you have a long layover, treat yourself to a chauffeur driven experience and explore your surroundings in style!

As you can see, you never be bored or stressed on a journey as long as you are a Sanctifly member! With tons of free and premium options to spend your downtime, Sanctifly is the essential membership for today’s traveler. Download the app today to explore our content and start building your healthy habits at home with Sanctifly.

For more information on our membership types, click here.

Restoring Confidence In Your Travelers In 2021 - Guest Post by TravelPerk

Happiness is a dish best served cold… and at 35,000 feet!

Most business travelers around the world have been grounded for over a year now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, business travelers had time to reflect—and realized that yes, they actually did miss it.

There has always been some kind of hidden magic with these trips. The opportunity to go somewhere new, to see new faces, to meet new people, and exchange ideas with professionals outside of your daily grind. For many, traveling for business is also a kind of reward. It’s an acknowledgment of a job well done, and of your ability to represent your team.

Over the course of the past year, traveler confidence started to fade. Fear of getting trapped in quarantine abroad, or of having to change or cancel flights and losing money as a result, became top-of-mind concerns. Travel restrictions and our own moral responsibility to not help spread the virus meant that we all knew that staying grounded was the only course of action.

You’ll be putting your seats in the upright position soon enough

We’re starting to see a positive, real-world effect of the global vaccine rollout. At the time of writing this article, more than 82,000,000 people have been fully vaccinated. And that’s something we’re already seeing reflected in business travel.

Our own data shows that domestic travel is bouncing back at a fairly steady pace. In fact, in January of this year, domestic travel in Spain, for example, was at 25% recovery. More importantly, we realized that 50% of our customers were already implementing new travel policies for this new normality. If we look to China, where recovery began earlier than in Europe and North America, “hotel-occupancy rates and numbers of domestic flight passengers bounced back to around 90 percent of 2019 level by the end of August” (McKinsey).

All of that points to a healthy recovery of business travel. Soon.

Why do we even need business travel?

We’re not going to lie. People have been asking this question since the world saw that Zoom pretty much works. Even Bill Gates argued that 50% of business travel will go away. Well, we clearly think he’s wrong. The reasons for that are fairly simple, and ultimately boil down to one fundamental truth.

Human beings are social creatures. That’s proven by 4.2 billion years of evolution.

UCLA neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman wrote that “mammals are more socially connected than reptiles, primates more than other mammals, and humans more than other primates. What this suggests is that becoming more socially connected is essential to our survival. In a sense, evolution has made bets at each step that the best way to make us more successful is to make us more social.”

Our basic need for human connection is the reason that business travel even existed in the first place. It’s also why it’s going to come back. From SMEs to the largest corporations, what we have in common is our drive to engage, interact, and come together.

So, why do people want to go back business travel?—you may ask. Here are just a few reasons:

People want to come together to foster relationships they made in person, or online. They want to meet their colleagues and build teams through personal connections They want to share their know-how and bring ideas together with different perspectives They want to carry out meetings and conduct sales pitches face-to-face (actually, 75% of business travelers claim that this just isn’t as effective online)

5 awesome ways you can help restore your travelers' confidence

Travel managers! Listen up! We know the road ahead looks long and bumpy. We know you think you’ve got an upward climb when it comes to supporting your travelers as they get back on the road. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be that difficult.

Yes, travelers lost confidence throughout the pandemic. They were afraid of getting infected. Of spreading the virus further. Of all of the legal restrictions and the impact that would have on them and their companies. Rightfully so. But that doesn’t mean that this confidence is gone for good. Now that we’re finally starting to see a light at the end of this long tunnel, the time has come to start preparing.

Here are a few awesome tips on how to properly support your travelers as they get back out there.

Change your management mindset

COVID-19 has changed the world. There’s no doubt about that. The whole “management knows best” policy has no place in our new reality. Running a 21st-century company means asking your employees what they want, how they feel. Sit down with your frequent travelers and ask them what their concerns are. Find a creative way to address these concerns when setting your new corporate travel policy.

Give travelers the freedom to book for themselves

Let them manage their own itineraries. Business travel should be easy, it should work for each individual traveler. Allow them to set their own travel schedules that suit their home life and their work life. Start using a business travel platform that not only enables travelers to independently book their trips, but that also allows them to change them around. In the new normal, we’ll have to expect the unexpected. Translated into the world of business travel - you’ll need to use a booking platform that lets you [change or cancel any aspect of a given trip at any time][11]. No questions asked. That way, you’ll make sure your travelers are safe, and you’ll save your company money in the process.

Informed travel is safe travel—give them that peace of mind

A new piece has been added to the travel management puzzle as a result of COVID. Now, travelers and travel managers need to always be updated on the latest, real-time travel restrictions. Start using a booking platform that features safety information at every stage of the booking process. Say goodbye to a million open tabs, just trying to find the latest health information. Save yourself time and give your travelers peace of mind in the knowledge that they have access to the latest information affecting their trip. If you can, integrate an API that provides this information straight into your own platform!

Yes, wellness absolutely matters

… and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Wondering what’s in it for you? 80% of employees in companies with policies that support their mental wellbeing and physical health feel more taken care of and more engaged. That, in turn, makes them +20% more profitable. That’s right—happy employees make for successful companies.

Make sure that you set travel policies that nurture your travelers. Make them feel like a business trip is a reward, not a dreary obligation. Add a little bit of wiggle room in your travel policy for travelers to give themselves a treat. Something as small as access to a business class lounge, or staying in a cute hotel can go a really long way! And don’t forget to give them some much-needed down-time when they get back. There’s nothing worse for morale than getting off an all-night flight, only to go straight into the office, tired and unshowered. Encourage a work-from-home day after a trip, or implement a no-emails policy for 6 hours after their arrival. Really get creative with this!

Remember that not everyone knows how to prioritize health and mindfulness when they travel. Teach them! Help them set healthy eating, sleeping, and exercising habits. Show them how to prepare for a long-distance trip with a large time difference. Jetlag can take a serious physical and mental toll on a person. Guiding them through the adjustment process will make a huge difference in their happiness and productivity. And yes, some travelers can be more nervous than others. They might not like flying, or they might just get a little too worked up before a major meeting. Giving them meditation tips for different stages of their journey could be hugely beneficial. Sanctifly members enjoy unlimited access to a library of exclusive content on exercise, stretches, meditations and wellbeing, along with wellness travel tips and airport guides.

Don’t forget to do a wellness debrief when your travelers come home from a trip. Checking in on them and understanding what they did to take care of themselves will really help you create a more comprehensive wellness plan.

Green is the new black

2020 gave rise to a “collective consciousness” on sustainability. Climate change represents one of the biggest, long-term challenges our society faces. As the deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030 gets closer, every business has a responsibility to do what it can to help. Business travel can contribute to that in so many ways. Something like working with a platform that helps you offset your carbon footprint when traveling for business can go a long way. And if you’re wondering how that helps with your employee happiness and engagement… well—did you know that 70% of millennials are more likely to choose to work at a company with a strong environmental agenda? Your employees care about sustainability. They want to contribute. Let them.

Going further together

Holmes needed Watson to solve crimes. Wilbur couldn’t fly without Orville. Would Abbott have been funny without Costello? Sometimes, a dynamic duo is exactly what you need.

TravelPerk is delighted to partner with Sanctifly to give our clients access to thousands of premium airport activities, exclusive membership benefits including delayed flight benefit, bespoke travel wellness content from industry experts, and carefully curated healthy airport guides.

Through our partnership, TravelPerk clients receive an exclusive discount on their first-year subscription to Sanctifly.

Please reach out to your TravelPerk Representative for more details. Not a TravelPerk member? Learn more here or visit the Sanctifly website today.

Seated Stretches - For At Your Desk Or On The Plane

For many of us, the last year has been a year of inactivity. The gyms were closed, we were encouraged to stay home, we lost our morning and evening commutes. As a result, most of us have been sitting for much longer than we ever were before, and it is taking a toll on our bodies. We use much less energy when we sit than when we stand or move. Sitting for prolonged periods can cause obesity which comes with a number of worrying health concerns. It can also lead to a weakening of the leg and glute muscles. We rely on these muscles to stabilize ourselves as we go about our day and if they are weak we can put ourselves at risk of injury. For many of us, working from home has been a huge factor in sitting all day long. As we sit at our desks hunched over our keyboards and peering into our screens we are putting enormous strain on our posture and our backs.

According to research published in 2020, you need to do 30-40 minutes of exercise every day to counteract a day of sitting. That sounds like a lot but remember every little bit counts. Standing up, walking to the kitchen, and getting a good stretch can all work towards offsetting the harmful effects of sitting all day. While we do encourage everyone to fit in some moderate-high intensity workouts throughout their week, the little things we do throughout the day will also have a positive effect.

As many of us prepare for a more active second half of 2021 and as we prepare for our first trip in a long time, we need to prepare our bodies by moving more now. But there is no need to overwhelm ourselves on the first day. If we work on building the habit slowly we will be more likely to stick to it and reap the benefits.

Here is a series of stretches you can do while sitting at your desk. Not only are these stretches going to be easy to incorporate into your day now (no need to get up or change into workout clothes for these!) they are also going to help prepare you for your first flight. Learn this routine now and have it on hand next time you find yourself on a long-haul flight or waiting at the airport.

Here are 6 easy stretches you can do while sitting at your desk

1. Hands above head

Find a comfortable seated position. Sit up straight, look straight ahead and raise your right arm above your head. Reach for the sky, engaging your arm muscles and stretching your fingertips up. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat for the left side.

2. Side neck stretch

Take your right hand to your left shoulder and place your left hand just above your right elbow. Drop your left ear to your left shoulder and straighten. You should feel a deep stretch along the right side of your neck. Repeat 6 times and then do the same on the other side.

3. Arm cross shoulder stretch

Take your right hand to your left shoulder and place your left hand on your right elbow. Pull the right elbow towards your left shoulder. You will feel this stretch in your right shoulder and upper arm. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat for the other arm.

4. Foot stretch

Bring the right ankle to the left knee. Hold onto your right knee if it feels more comfortable. Flex your toes towards your body and then away from you. Repeat 10 times. Repeat for the other foot.

5. Shoulder roll

Place your hands on your thighs, roll the shoulders up towards your ears and down. If you have a stiff neck this can be a challenging stretch. Make sure you move slowly through the rotation, acknowledging where it feels stiff and working through those areas.

6. Spine twist

Place your right hand on your left knee and your left hand either on the armrest beside you or behind your back. Twist your upper body to the left, looking over your left shoulder. Take three deep breaths. Repeat for the right side.

If you are looking for more tips on how to build a fitness habit from scratch check out this post. At Sanctifly we are here to support travelers build healthy and lasting habits. Even though we are not flying right now, maintaining healthy routines is still important. Building good habits around exercise both at home and on the road is one of the main pillars of support we offer our members. Find nutritional facts, healthy meal plans, and more in the Sanctifly app today and start your journey to better health and wellness.

You can find a video version of this stretch routine in the Sanctifly app. Download the app today to explore our content and start building your healthy habits at home with Sanctifly.

For more information on our membership types, click here.

Ten Tips To Help You Start Running

Exercising regularly can feel like a daunting task. Not only do you have to deal with the physical strain as you build up your fitness levels, but you also have to contend with the mental strain of creating a new habit. The positive impact of exercise can feel uninspiring when you are feeling tired or sore or unmotivated. That is why it is so important to work on building habits slowly and from the ground up. We can’t just wake up tomorrow and decide to be avid exercisers. We need to slowly build up our fitness levels, so it becomes easier on our body and we need to slowly build the habit, so it becomes easier on our minds.

When it comes to creating an exercise habit you should be focusing on three things: cardio, strength, and flexibility. Let’s focus on cardio for this blog post as we explore why running or jogging is a great option, especially for frequent travelers.

Why is running good for you?

There are so many reasons running is a great exercise to get into. Let’s start with the health impacts. Running is a great cardio exercise. It gets our blood pumping through our body, helping to strengthen our hearts and energize our muscles. Improved cardiovascular health also positively helps to reduce blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, and strengthens your immune system.

Running also has a positive effect on your mental health. Studies have shown that running can enhance your mood, relieve stress, and ease the effects of anxiety. Running also helps to improve and regulate your sleep which has a positive impact on your mental health.

A popular reason people avoid taking up running is the perceived impact it has on our knees. However, that is not exactly proven. In a study published in 2016, researchers found that people that ran regularly were less likely to suffer from knee pain. The key to protecting your knees from damage is to exercise and stretch your knee specifically. This will help build strength and protect from injury.

Aside from all the physical and mental health benefits, there are lots of other reasons running is a great exercise habit to form, especially for frequent travelers. Firstly, you do not need any specific equipment to run other than a good pair of running shoes. You also do not need to go anywhere in particular to run, i.e. you don’t need to go to the gym to run, all you have to do is step outside your door and start running!

Now that we have explained why running is such a good habit to get into, you may be thinking about giving it a go. That’s great! But it is also important to do it right. If you are not a runner it is highly unlikely that you will be good at it right away. We’ve put together a list of tips and advice to help you get started and to help you keep going when you feel like giving up.

Here are ten tips to start (and keep!) a running habit.

1. Use the run/walk method to get started

You need to build both physical and mental stamina when starting to run. The run/walk method helps you to slowly improve your fitness levels and build your physical stamina. Simply alternate running and walking, slowly increasing the amount of running time and decreasing the amount of walking time. The Couch to 5K training schedule is a popular and effective routine to follow that incorporates the run/walk method.

2. Start slow

Building the stamina to push past the mental blocks is as important as improving your physical stamina. However, pushing past mental blocks becomes a non-issue if you physically can’t go any further. In the beginning, make sure to start at a slow pace so that you can focus your energy on overcoming that voice in your head that says to stop.

3. Make sure you stretch so you are not sore

Running can be tough on your muscles and you will feel sore after a good run. Even experienced runners need to stretch after running to help loosen out their muscles. Check out this quick 10-minute post run stretch from Sanctifly’s Travel Wellness agent, Sara Quiriconi. Save it so you can stretch after your next run.

4. Try running in different places

If you feel you are not looking forward to going out for a run, not because it is hard but because it is boring, you may want to change up your routine. Yes, the fact that you don’t need to go anywhere in particular to run is a great benefit, but that doesn’t mean you have to run right outside your house. Perhaps running on a treadmill while watching something on your phone works better for you. Or perhaps you would find trail running out in nature more interesting, although we recommend getting some basic experience before attempting trail running. The point is if you feel uninspired to run, change up your surroundings to make it more interesting.

5. Try different things to listen to

This is a similar point to the one above. What you are listening to can help distract and motivate you while you are running. Perhaps a podcast or audiobook will work better than music. Perhaps you run better when you don’t listen to anything and instead use the time to process your own thoughts. Find out what works for you and change it up every now and again to keep it interesting.

6. Eat smart

The food you eat is an important part of your exercise routine. What you eat has a direct effect on your energy levels and can even impact your mood. Make sure you are eating energy food that is high in carbohydrates such as bananas and nut butter. Avoid stodgy, low-energy foods that are high in fat and processed carbs such as white pasta and pizza.

7. Stay hydrated

This is important all the time, not just while you are running. If you make sure you are adequately hydrated on your off days, you will have an easier time while you run. When you are running make sure you sip water rather than gulp it down. It can be tempting to drain your water bottle when the thirst hits you try to refrain. Running with a stomach full of water is not comfortable and may even make you feel ill.

8. Run with a friend

If you find yourself making excuses and avoiding going for a run, try to find a friend to run with. Having an accountability buddy is a great way to build and maintain healthy habits.

9. Finding it hard to find the motivation? Sign up for a 5k.

Having a tangible goal with a deadline to work towards can help with motivation. Signing up for a 5k is another great way to keep yourself accountable and make sure that you put in the work. 5K is a good starting point as it is very achievable.

10. Record your progress so you can see how far you have come

We build healthy habits over time, they become part of our regular routines. The goal is to make a healthy habit become the norm so that it no longer requires effort. Although this is the desired result, we often lose sight of how far we have come as we slowly build the habit. Keeping a record of how far and for how long you can run each week is a great way to see your progress.

 At Sanctifly we are here to support travelers build healthy and lasting habits. Even though we are not flying right now, maintaining healthy routines is still important. Although most of the content on the Sanctifly app was designed for traveling, it is applicable and helpful in all walks of life. Building good habits around exercising both at home and on the road is one of the main pillars of support we offer our members. Find exercise and stretch videos, fitness tips, and more in the Sanctifly app today and start your journey to better health and wellness.

Download the app today to explore our content and start building your healthy habits at home with Sanctifly.

For more information on our membership types, click here.

Foods To Boost Your Mood - How Diet Affects Mental Health

How can what you eat affect your brain and mood?

For many of us, there is no doubt that what we eat affects our energy levels. We have all had the experience of crashing after a sugary treat or feeling tired when we eat too many processed carbs. This drop in energy and lack of motivation is caused by our brains not functioning properly. Our brains are like any other organ in our body, they require fuel to function. And they get that fuel through the food we eat. If we don’t provide the nutrients that it needs we can suffer some negative side effects, such as sluggishness, disorientation, and fluctuations in mood. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key factor in regulating your mood, relieving feelings of anxiety, and helping you sleep. While we can’t get serotonin directly from food, the nutrients and vitamins we consume contribute to the production of serotonin with 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract (your mouth, stomach, intestine, etc.)

At Sanctifly we explore and write about 4 pillars of wellness: exercise, sleep, mental wellbeing, and food. Food is such an important factor in building healthy routines because it affects all the other pillars. The food you eat provides the energy and nutrients your body needs so that it can exercise, sleep well and regulate your mood. Food is the foundation on which we build our healthy habits. But instead of just telling you to eat these healthy foods because they are good for you, we want to help you to understand how food affects your health and wellness so that you can make informed decisions about what you eat, whether you are at home or on the road.

Here are six foods that you should be eating regularly and how they affect your mental health.

1. Fatty Fish

The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel have many reported health benefits including improved brain function and reduced anxiety. The fatty acids work towards building healthy cell membranes and promoting healthier brain cells. Add a fish dinner to your weekly meal plan and take advantage of this amazing superfood.

2. Eggs

Eggs are an amazing source of nutrients that help our bodies and brains function. They include vitamin D, protein and are a source of the essential amino acid, Tryptophan. Tryptophan is used in the creation of serotonin by the brain which helps with the regulation of mood. Add boiled eggs to your salad or an omelette to your meal plan and help your brain create some serotonin.

3. Dark Chocolate

Yes! Who doesn’t love a treat as part of a healthy, balanced diet? 😊 Dark chocolate is a fantastic source of magnesium. Magnesium has many positive effects on the body such as blood pressure regulation, blood glucose control, and how well your muscles and nerves function. According to a study in 2017, magnesium has positive effects in the treatment of mild depression. Magnesium helps to regulate cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone. If you are in a constant state of stress your body can create too much cortisol and anxiety, depressions, headaches, digestion issues, and more. Regulate your cortisol levels (and enjoy the treat!) by adding some dark chocolate to your pantry.

4. Green Tea

Green tea is reported to have many health benefits such as lowering your cholesterol, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, working as an anti-inflammatory, and improving brain and memory function. Through studies and anecdotal evidence (we’ve all been in a situation where things got a bit stressful and a cup of tea helped to calm us down), green tea has been shown to have a positive impact on mood and relaxation. Green tea contains antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is thought to make people feel calmer and to help reduce stress levels. Green tea is a great natural source of the antioxidant. Make a cup of green tea part of your daily routine and take advantage of the long and short-term health benefits.

5. Fermented Foods

Fermented foods such as yogurt, miso, and sauerkraut are rich in probiotic bacteria which is extremely beneficial for your digestive and immune system. According to a number of studies, probiotic bacteria, such as those you find in fermented foods, have a positive impact on mood, anxiety, and cognition. As mentioned above, 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract. Your stomach and digestive system are an integral part of your gastrointestinal tract. If that is working correctly and healthy it will have a positive effect on your mood. Yogurt is the easiest probiotic-rich food to introduce to your diet regularly. Add a pot of yogurt to your lunch or breakfast and get some of that good probiotic bacteria!

6. Whole Grains

Whole grains are packed with nutrients including protein, fiber, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Fiber is an important nutrient when it comes to regulating mood as it helps to slow down the breakdown of starch into glucose. It helps to regulate your blood sugar levels, energy levels, and your mood. Blood sugar spikes and dips can have a serious impact on your mental and physical health. Symptoms include anxiety and fatigue. Fiber also has the added benefit of making you feel full for longer so you can avoid reaching for the snack cupboard and consuming sugary treats.

How does being dehydrated affect your brain?

Although food has a significant impact on your mental and physical health there are many other factors you need to consider that may be affecting your mood. Adequate hydration is another factor that could be causing fluctuations in your mood. Research shows that staying hydrated has a positive impact on your mental health and that dehydration can increase your risk for depression and anxiety. When you build a diet plan to help regulate your mood make sure you add water to the list.

Looking after your health and wellness have never been more important than it is right now, whether you are traveling or staying at home. There are so many different factors that can affect your mood and working to create healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle can feel like a full-time job sometimes. Especially when we consider the significant amount of stress we are all under these days. It can be all too easy to fill up on comfort food because it makes us feel good in the moment, but we will end up feeling bad in the long run. So the next time you are feeling a bit down, consider what you are making for dinner as it could affect your mood.

At Sanctifly we are committed to helping you to make your health and wellness a priority. We have lots of helpful advice and tips in the Sanctifly app and on the Sanctifly blog, most of which is as relevant now as it will be when we return to travel. Become a member today and get exclusive access to fitness, meditation, stress management, and nutrition content from leading experts in the field to help you on your health and wellness journey.

Download the app today to explore our content and start building your healthy habits at home with Sanctifly.

For more information on our membership types, click here.

Travel Disruptions: How Brexit Affects Your Travel Plans

What Will Travel Look Like In 2021?

Many of us are desperate to travel overseas having missed out on holidays in 2020. Yet the prospect of travel in 2021 presents us with more uncertainty.

To simply plan a holiday requires assessing and making predictions based on the COVID situation. Also, if you are planning on traveling to and from the UK there are new regulations to consider post-Brexit.

To help you make an informed decision on when, where or whether to book, this article provides a simple overview of the 2021 travel situation.

Changes for UK Citizens Post-Brexit

Be aware that the new rules for UK citizens travelling in Europe only apply within the Schengen area.

The Schengen area covers 26 countries without border controls between them. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Different rules apply in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.

Passports

You don’t need to replace your passport. If your UK passport says ‘European Union’ on the cover you can still use it, it just loses all of its EU powers. The only requirement is that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your date of departure.

Tougher Border Checks

Before Brexit, border officials only checked to see if your passport was up to date and belonged to you. However, now they may ask for the purpose of your visit, where you plan to travel, how long you plan to stay and if you have sufficient funds.

Health

European Health Insurance Cards can continue to be used until the expiry date on your card, guaranteeing access to free medical treatment to UK citizens in the EU.

The EHIC will soon be replaced by a GHIC (global) card which will cover you for health treatment not just within the EU but also in countries where there are UK agreements in place, such as Australia.

Driving

You don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

The main changes are regarding motor insurance. You will now need to carry a physical, paper copy of a ‘Green Card’ (which provides a multilingual translation of your car insurance) when driving abroad. Contact your insurance provider at least six weeks before your trip to obtain this. 

Mobile Phone Charges

Sadly, UK citizens no longer benefit from the EU ban on roaming charges. Although the big phone providers have suggested they will not reintroduce these charges, they are now allowed to do so if they wish.

Some phone companies have said that they will now charge extra to those customers who spend half their time overseas. This means that retired people sending the winter months abroad or those with holiday homes wanting to use their 90 in 180 days allowance will be charged more for their UK mobile phones.

Pets

Pet passports which entitled the owner to easily take their dog or cat into the EU are no longer valid.

Pet owners must now obtain an EU Animal Health Certificate, for which the animal must be micro-chipped. At least 3 weeks before travelling your pet must have a rabies vaccination and dogs must be given a tapeworm treatment between one to five days before entering the EU. These details will be recorded on the health certificate.

How much time can UK residents can spend in the EU?

One of the biggest setbacks of Brexit is that the amount of time you can spend in Europe is now vastly reduced. Without residency or visas, even those who own EU homes will only be allowed to spend 90 days (about three months) in any 180 (six months) in the Schengen area.

Once you have spent a total of 90 days in 180, you are not be allowed to visit any EU country for the following three months. For example, if you spent three months in Spain from December you won’t be allowed to re-enter any country in the EU until June. 

However, the 90 day rule does not apply in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania. You can visit these countries without it counting towards your 90-day total.

Is this the end of living in Europe part-time?

Thankfully, it is still possible to spend longer in your favourite Schengen area country although it will mean applying for a visa.

These are reasonably priced but require you to prove you have medical insurance and sufficient funds to support yourself while you are there.

France has a one-year visa which costs €99. In addition to the above, you’ll also need to provide evidence of your accommodation.

Spain has a long-stay visa priced €60 which requires both health insurance and a medical certificate, proof you haven’t broken the law in the past 5 years and at least £2000 per month for your intended stay.

The situation in Italy is somewhat different. Whereas in France and Spain you can arrange a long-stay visa without applying for residency, in Italy, it is not possible to apply for one without the other. With an Italian long-stay visa, you can enter Italy, but you must get your Italian residence permit, to authorize staying for more than 90 days.

How Brexit affects travelers planning to visit the UK

At the moment, EU citizens can visit the UK with national ID cards. But from 1 October 2021, you must show a valid passport and travel documents covering the dates of your trip. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. Under the new system, if you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you can visit the UK without applying for a visa and in most cases, will be able to stay for up to six months. 

Nothing has changed for non-EU/EEA visitors following the end of the Brexit transition period. 

How COVID-19 is affecting travel as 2021 begins

The most significant factor shedding doubt on our travel plans is COVID-19.

For the moment, UK citizens are not permitted to leave the country except for work or for those with residency outside the UK to return to their homes.

The majority of the EU is also under lockdown restrictions. The EU uses a traffic light map as a guideline to the high risk countries (signalled in red) from which travel should be limited. At the moment the only green, (safe and unrestricted ) area in Europe is a small section of Greece.

The following section examines how the variables of COVID are shaping up. This should help you to predict if a booking for summer 2021 is likely to come to fruition.

Why we can’t rely on the ‘R’ rate as a predictive measure

The R rate, which gives a measure of how quickly the virus is spreading, is used by many countries to enforce restrictions. Last year, we saw how the R rate affected whether a country remained on ‘safe to travel’ lists. However, now that we have lived through repeated waves of the virus, we know that even if your preferred destination has a low R rate now this doesn’t mean it will remain low in the months ahead.

How will vaccination programmes affect travel in 2021?

The beginning of COVID-19 vaccination programmes have provided us with our first real glimmer of hope. As the Pfizer vaccine seems to also protect people from new strains, we hope that a return to activities like travel might not be too far away.

Here are answers to the important questions on COVID vaccines and travel

What percentage of the population needs to be vaccinated before things improve?

When so many people are vaccinated that the virus struggles to find people to infect, COVID will no longer pose such a threat. This is what is known as achieving ‘herd immunity.’

The number of people needing to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity depends on how infectious the virus is. As some strains of COVID-19 (such as the UK and South African) are reportedly more contagious, this could mean the ‘critical vaccination level’ will need to be higher.

The higher the critical vaccination level, the longer it will take to achieve.

Will COVID vaccination passports be available for travel?

There is speculation that a document will be available to those vaccinated which will enable them to travel. However, scientists are not yet certain whether the vaccine only prevents COVID symptoms. It is possible that, like the flu vaccines, those vaccinated will still carry the virus. In this case, being vaccinated wouldn’t mean you posed no COVID threat.

Will being vaccinated prevent me from spreading the virus?

It is expected that this information will be available from clinical trials soon. However, this article from a researcher at Cambridge University gives us cause to feel positive. 

It explains why the vaccine will help defeat COVID even if it doesn’t stop us from carrying the virus. Briefly, this is because carriers with no symptoms transmit less of the virus. Therefore, ‘vaccinated people are less likely to transmit enough virus to cause severe disease.’ So, even if the vaccine doesn’t prevent us from carrying the virus, it will help prevent those we infect from becoming seriously ill.

How COVID will continue to affect travellers

Although the ongoing vaccination programmes will eventually help defeat the virus, herd immunity won’t be achieved quickly. Unless the vaccine proves to prevent us from carrying the virus, those who have been vaccinated won’t be granted exemption from restrictions or other preventive measures. 

COVID travel protection measures, (such as testing before flying and/or a requirement to quarantine) are likely to be present for most of 2021, as will wearing masks and social distancing.

The return to travel and holidays as we knew them is still a long way off.  

Tips should you decide to book

Restrictions around international travel in 2021 are likely to be constantly changing. However, if you are eager to book try these tips to improve the chance of an exchange or refund. 

The best way to protect yourself from losing money on your 2021 holiday is to book a package through an ATOL protected company which means you will get a full refund within 14 days.

Be aware that your entitlement to a refund depends on whether or not your operator actually cancelled the booking. If they cancelled, you are eligible for a refund. If your plans change and you can no longer travel, most companies don’t have to offer an exchange or reimburse you.

As a result, airlines such as British Airways and Easyjet have started to offer flexible holiday bookings should you need to change your plans. Although you must inform them of changes 3 to 4 weeks before departure, this should make a booking, (if not confidence-inspiring) somewhat less risky.

Contributed to the Sanctifly Travel Wellness blog by Caroline James, journalist and editor of Immigration News UK

Travel Wellness Roundup - Feb 2021

Travel Wellness Roundup

February 2021

With the return to travel on the horizon we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of travel-related content, news, and articles being published every today. There is a huge amount of travel-related information and sources available and we understand that getting to the key points can be overwhelming and time-consuming. As a travel-wellness focused brand, we read lots of travel content every month. We want to take on the burden of filtering through hundreds of articles and present you with the highlights.  

This is the Travel Wellness Roundup- February Edition where we share all the most interesting, exciting, and topical travel wellness content the team at Sanctifly has read this week. Enjoy!  

“Digital health passports are the hot topic at the moment as companies scramble to become the go-to solution. It will be interesting to see what travelers think about them and if they are actually usable when people start traveling internationally again. We are also seeing lots of studies and reports coming out showing that travelers are desperate to get on the road again. I am not surprised about that at all. Let’s hope we all get a chance to scratch our travel itch in the first half of 2021! “ 

- Maeve Power, Editor of the Travel Wellness Roundup 

‘Study Finds Traveler Safety Concerns Will Diminish by Summer’ 

According to a survey of 2100 respondents conducted by Global Rescue, 77% are much less concerned about travel safety for the second half of 2021 (July to December) compared to last year, and 70% plan to take a trip by June 2021. It seems provided vaccine rollouts go according to plan people are planning to travel this summer. 

Read more about the survey. 

‘In The New World Of Business Travel, Traveler Wellbeing Must Come First’ 

Risk management and traveler tracking are must-haves in ensuring business travelers are safe when they hit the road again. But the invasion of privacy is a growing concern among business travelers that needs to be addressed. 

Read the full article. 

‘How To Travel Safely With Children In 2021’ 

It is likely that the first people to return to travel will be leisure travelers and that includes families. Euronews posted a great article with some helpful tips and ideas on how to travel safely with children in 2021. 

Read the full article. 

‘How To Use Travel Wellness To Stay Healthy While You WFH’ 

So many of the challenges faced by frequent travelers pre-COVID did not disappear when they started to work from home. We were delighted to contribute this article to our partner, TravelPerk’s blog sharing our top travel wellness tips and how we are repurposing them in the current climate. 

Read the full article. 

‘Digital Health Passports: Our Ticket Back To International Travel And Beyond’

Last week Plug And Play hosted a webinar about digital health passports that are currently being implemented and sparked an interesting debate about the need for common standards, privacy concerns, and more. In her opening address Stacey Fitzmaurice, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator at TSA stated that while it is important to implement safety measures for travelers it is equally important to tell them about it and educate them on how their health and wellness is being prioritized. We can expect to see a lot more info sessions around travel wellness initiatives in the coming months. 

Read Future Travel Experiences webinar summary. 

‘Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Launches 'Wellness on the Road' for Corporate & Group Travelers’ 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has launched a new global initiative to help corporate and meeting travelers maintain a healthy lifestyle and mindful balance while on the road. This is a fantastic move in the right direction towards prioritizing health and wellness for business travelers. 

Learn more about the programme. 

‘XpresSpa To Benefit From Improving Travel Trends, New Outlet Openings: Analyst’

From the beginning of the pandemic Sanctifly partners, XpresSpa, have been working hard to pivot their offering to provide health and wellness services beyond spa treatments. They almost immediately offered their in-airport spa locations as Covid testing facilities, making the process of getting a test easier for those that were still heading to the airport. It is great to see traveler health and wellness brands being highlighted. 

Read the full article here. 

‘Masks Are Now Mandatory In And On Public Transportation Across The US’

As of Feb 1, masks are now mandatory in airports, bus and train terminals, and on trains, planes, buses, and public transportation. The CDC stated that face shields, masks with exhalation valves, and other forms of face coverings do not comply with the rule. Within the airport, the TSA will be responsible for ensuring passengers are wearing the correct face masks. 

Read the full article here. 

‘Expedia Group Releases Trends and Predictions for 2021’

Expedia Group has released its Trends and Predictions report for 2021 and the sentiment is, people are desperate to get back to traveling again. People are planning to spend big on longer vacations in 2021 and plan to use travel to reconnect with the world.  

Read the full report here. 

At Sanctifly we are committed to providing you with the best in travel wellness content. Download the app today to explore our content and start building your healthy habits at home with Sanctifly. 

For more information on our membership types, click here. 

5 Breathing Techniques You Need To Know

5 Breathing Techniques For When You Are Stressed Out

1. Diaphragmatic breathing

2. 4-7-8 breathing technique

3. Body Scan -Focused breath

4. Alternate nostril breathing

5. Humming breath

We are living in stressful and uncertain times. Many of us are looking back over the last year and wishing we could go back to normality. While we will get there and things will eventually return to normal, we don’t want to go all the way back to our old ways. In this modern world of constant connectivity where progression and ‘success’ are valued above all else, stress is a serious issue for many people. We constantly feel that we are not good enough or not doing enough. No matter what stage of life you are in or what your daily routines are, we all encounter stress on a daily basis. And while some of it certainly can be avoided, unfortunately, some of it cannot. Therefore, how we deal with the stress and how we manage it becomes the most important tool we have for looking after our mental health and maintaining a wellness focused lifestyle. Let’s use this time to focus on building those healthy routines and creating a healthy habit toolbox so we can be ready for the return to normal.

How does breathing help with stress levels?

Breathing is a proven, long standing stress relief technique. The reason deep and focused breathing has such a profound effect on stress levels and its physiological impact is because it evokes the relaxation response. The ‘Relaxation Response’ was coined by Dr Herbert Benson of Harvard’s Mind/Body Medical Institute in his book of the same name. In the book, Dr Benson explores and explains the physical benefits of truly relaxing your body and mind and combating the negative impact of the flight-or-flight response. When we are stressed or scared or anxious our body and mind go into overdrive trying to keep us safe. Our heart races, our breathing quickens, and our minds race as we try to either get out of the situation or face it head on. While this is a valid evolutionary response, it just does not suit the modern environment we have created. And so, we end up having to deal with the truly negative effects of stress such as high blood pressure, anxiety, poor sleep patterns and more. The relaxation response tells our body and mind that we are safe and can help counteract those negative effects. Breathing deeply and practicing specific breathing techniques is a sure way to evoke the relaxation response and get your body and mind into the relax and restorative state it needs to heal physically and deal with mentally challenging situations.

Here are 5 breathing techniques that you need to know and how to practice them correctly.

1. Diaphragmatic breathing

Throughout our day, particularly on days when we are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, we tend to take shorter, shallower breaths. Taking short, shallow breaths can have a serious effect on our health and wellness. It increases blood pressure and heart rate and makes it more difficult to relieve stress. Taking deep breaths doesn’t tend to come naturally to us. We needed to make an extra effort to breathe deeply so that we can take advantage of the amazing benefits.

The key is to send the breath down into your diaphragm, making it expand as you inhale. Find a comfortable seated position. Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. Take a deep inhale, feeling your stomach expand beneath your hand, and your chest rise slightly. Continue this process, making sure that the hand on your stomach continues to rise and fall with each breath.

Diaphragmatic breathing is great for when you feel your heart is racing.

2. 4-7-8 breathing technique

As mentioned above, deep breathing is extremely beneficial for our health. Holding our breath and extended exhalation are the next step in utilizing breathing techniques to calm our nerves and manage stress. In a series of studies conducted in 2018 and 2019, longer exhalation showed a positive impact on combating stress responses and improving heart rate variability. The 4-7-8 technique can help you master extended exhales.

Find a comfortable seated position, making sure you are not holding any tension in your neck and shoulders. Close your eyes. Close your lips and press your tongue gently against the roof of your mouth. Count to 4 as you inhale through your nose, count to 7 as you hold your breath and exhale through your mouth slowly for a count of 8. Repeat for four breath cycles. It may take some practice to get the timing right.

Extended exhalations are great for bringing a sense of calm to your body and mind. Practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique if you feel anxious or on edge.

3. Body scan - focused breath

A body scan is a meditation practice that aims to create a deeper connection to your body and help you to acknowledge any feelings or sensations you might have without judgement. Although it is primarily used as a meditation technique it can be utilised in other ways. Some people use it to relax, to fall asleep and, when combined with focused breathing, to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Lie down on your back in a comfortable position. You can also do it seated but lying flat on your back is preferable. Focus your attention on your feet, don’t move them, just make then the focus of your thoughts. Acknowledge how they feel right now and take two deep breathes while focusing on them. Continue up through each part of your body, your shins, knees, thighs etc. Take two deep breaths each time you focus on a body part.

Focused breath breathing techniques are great for calming racing thoughts. Because you are giving your thoughts something specific to focus on it is much easier to quiet them and feel the full impact of the breathing exercise.

4. Alternate nostril breathing

Nadi Shuddhi, or alternate nostril breathing is a yogic breathing technique where you alternatively inhale and exhale through one nostril or the other. The practice is used to help control your breathing and reduce stress. The focused attention that is required helps to still racing thoughts and has added benefits for your lungs and respiratory system.

First, find a comfortable seated position. Hold up your right hand up with all five fingers extended and then bend down the index and middle finger towards your palm. Take your thumb and use it to close your right nostril. Inhale deeply through your left nostril, then use your ring finger to close the left nostril and release your thumb from your right nostril. Exhale fully through your right nostril. With your left nostril still closed, inhale deeply through your right nostril and repeat the process. Continue for 5-15 minutes.

Alternate nostril breathing helps to increase and improve lung capacity. Use this breathing technique if you often feel breathless when overwhelmed. It will help train your lungs to embrace their full capacity which will help relieve stress levels.

5. Bhrahmari or the humming breath

Bhrahmari Pranayama, also known as the bumblebee or humming breath is a yogic breathing technique that incorporates sound to help you feel grounded and calm. This breath practice is used to relieve stress, anxiety and anger.

Find a comfortable seated position and gently soften your gaze or close your eyes. Close your mouth with your teeth slightly apart. Inhale deeply and on the exhale press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and make a low humming sound. Continue making the sound for the entirety of your exhale. Repeat the process for six rounds and then return to your normal breathing.

The humming breath breathing technique is great for releasing tension, especially if you are carrying that tension in your mouth or jaw. Practice this method if you find yourself constant clenching your teeth or tensing your shoulders due to stress.

At Sanctifly we are here to support our community build healthy and lasting habits. Even though we are not flying right now, maintaining healthy routines is still important. Although most of the content on the Sanctifly app was designed for traveling, it is applicable and helpful in all walks of life. Building good habits around stress management at home and on the road is one of the main pillars of support we offer our members. Find stress management, wellness tips and more in the Sanctifly app today and start your journey to better health and wellness.

Download the app today to explore our content and start building your healthy habits at home with Sanctifly.

For more information on our membership types, click here.

5 Tips For A Healthy Heart

Tips to keep your heart healthy

1. Floss

2. Cardio

3. Eat a balanced diet

4. Manage stress

5. Limit alcohol

Over the last year our health and wellness have been at the forefront of our minds. However, because of Covid-19, the spotlight has been largely focused on our lungs. Though the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us and still a significant worry, it is equally important that we remember that there are other aspects of our health that need looking after. February is heart health month and with the added stress and anxiety of the past year, it is more important than ever that we look after our hearts. So much of our daily routines impact our heart health. According to the CDC, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among Americans. Some of the leading contributing factors towards poor heart health are high levels of stress, poor diet and lack of exercise. All these are challenges that are faced by frequent travelers every time they are on the road and, as we look back over the last year, they are challenges we have all been facing in our new normal. Our exercise, eating, work and travel routines have all been disrupted in 2020 and many of our previous healthy habits are no longer practiced. So let’s start building up some healthy habits again that are good for our hearts (and the rest of us!). Here are 5 tips you can introduce into your daily routine to help keep your heart healthy.

Floss

According to Harvard medical school, and countless other studies, there is a significant link between your gum health and your heart health. Although the exact cause is still debated, whether it be the prevalence of bacteria in the mouth or some other cause, the fact is the state of your mouth is an indicator of how healthy your heart is. So make flossing and good oral hygiene part of your everyday routine and you can reduce your risk factor for cardiovascular problems in the process.

Cardio

Cardio exercise gets the blood flowing and the heart pumping. Your heart is a muscle, and like any other muscle in the body if you do not build it up and make it strong it will not work as well as it could. Cardio exercise helps to improve circulation, lower your blood pressure and helps to regulate your heart rate, all elements that contribute to a healthy heart. Examples of cardio exercise are running, cycling, jumping – anything that gets the heart pumping.

Does the prospect of going for a run seem completely daunting to you? I get it, believe me. Running was never particularly appealing to me, even though I know it is a great (and free) way to get in some cardio exercise. My block against running was as much mental as it was physical. I could make sense of the fact that I would need to start slow in order to build up my fitness, but how do you overcome the mental challenge? When my mind was shouting, ‘Stop running!’ even though I was more than capable of going further? The answer for me was to follow a Couch to 5K running schedule, developed especially for beginner runners. It is a 3-week plan that helps introduce you slowly to running and build up your stamina. There are lots of apps you can download to help you keep track of the schedule, the C25K app is definitely one of the best. Download it today and start running!

Eat a balanced diet

They say you are what you eat and when it comes to your heart, it’s kind of true. If you stick to a stodgy, fatty diet with little variety it will take a serious toll on your heart and overall health. A healthy balanced diet full of fruit and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats is the best option. 

Here is a great tip to get started towards a healthy diet. Learn how to use fresh herbs in your meals. Herbs bring lots of flavour with little negative side effects. If you are someone that often adds salt or butter to meals for that added flavour, incorporating fresh herbs is a great replacement. Also, it is much easier to chop up some parsley and add it to your pasta sauce than sit down and eat a whole plate of vegetables. If you are not a vegetable eater, trying to force yourself to eat too much in one go will only have negative effects and turn you off. Start with some small wins by adding more fresh herbs to your next meal.

Manage stress

Stress can play a significant role in poor mental and physical health. According to this 2017 study, persistent emotional stress not only makes us more susceptible to risky behaviour such as smoking, drinking and other bad habits but the part of the brain that is activated by stress has a direct link to cardiovascular events. We are living in stressful times and unfortunately, it is unavoidable and out of our control. However, how we react to stress is within our control and the methods we use to deal with stress can have a direct effect on our hearts.

Here are some ways to help deal with stress.

1. Breathing exercises are a great way to calm racing thoughts and focus your attention on the present.

2. Exercise is another great way to focus your mind and body on the present moment.

3. Meditation has so many great benefits and the ability to process stressful events in a calm and controlled manner is just one of them. Check out this article for some tips on getting started with meditation. 

Limit alcohol

The idea that a glass of red wine now and again is good for your heart has been around for a long time. While it is true that the antioxidants found in red wine are good for you, a direct link between red wine and heart health has never actually been found. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your glass of wine. At Sanctifly we don’t believe you have to go all or nothing when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Have your drink and enjoy it! The key point to remember is to enjoy it in moderation. Limit your alcohol intake (especially when you are on the road!) and your heart will be happier and healthier for it. 

Looking after your health and wellness has never been more important than it is right now, whether you are traveling or staying at home. Now is the time to work on building up those healthy habits so that when we do return to normal we are better equipped than ever to deal with life’s challenges. Sanctifly is your guide to building healthy habits and resetting your mindset in 2021 and beyond. We are committed to helping you to make your health and wellness a priority. We have lots of helpful advice and tips in the Sanctifly app, most of which is as relevant now as it will be when we return to travel. Become a member today and get exclusive access to fitness, meditation, stress management and nutrition content from leading experts in the field to help you on your journey towards a healthier you.

Download the app today to explore our content and start building your healthy habits at home with Sanctifly.

For more information on our membership types, click here.