WELL WISHES

Increasingly, business travelers are looking to sustain healthy habits on the road-and airlines, destinations and employers are helping them

- FATIMA DURRANI

WHAT DO travelers fear most? Beyond long lines, lost luggage or TSA delays, a quieter, more persistent worry looms: staying healthy during long-haul flights. It's not just cramped seats or altitude-induced headaches-it's the challenge of maintaining wellness amidst jet lag, fatigue and disrupted routines.

For today's business travelers, the stakes are even higher: delivering peak performance while navigating the physical toll of global travel. With wellness emerging as a top travel priority, both individuals and companies are redefining how to stay fit, focused and resilient on the road.

The concern of wellness goes beyond just body aches from cramped seating, headaches and ear congestion from altitude changes, or general motion sickness. Business travelers frequently experience "performance anxiety" as well, and the fatigue from insufficient sleep while hopping between flights only exacerbates the issue. According to Dr. Mark Fischer, regional medical director for International SOS, "Insufficient sleep can significantly impair focus, productivity and overall cognitive performance, especially for business travelers managing demanding schedules."