This week on the PC Housing blog we thought we would address an audience who doesn’t get much attention from us. Rookies. As hardened road warriors, we tend to forget the days when we were just starting out. Not yet masters of packing light for a 2 week conference or charming our way into an upgraded plane seat. With that in mind, we want to share some pearls of wisdom with all the fresh-faces in the room.

Peace & Love at the airport

On choosing the right luggage…

  • First things first, choosing the proper luggage should be at the top of your priority list. A busted suitcase can make or break a trip. ConsumerSearch has done the research and offered reviews of some of the top travel-friendly brands. Of course, these aren’t Wal-Mart prices, so be prepared to shell out a little extra for a quality carry-on, but in the end you will be extremely grateful you did.

The Road Warriorette is a great resource for seasoned travelers and newbies alike. Her advice on all aspects of travel is priceless and we highly recommend spending some downtime digging around the site. Following is a few choice morsels taken from their Business Travel 101 series:

Get it while you can

On long flights..

  • Bring the things you need to sleep. For me, nothing is more frustrating than being exhausted on a plane and not able to sleep. Plus, sleeping on the plane allows you to wake up refreshed, or at least not zombie like, when you get to your destination.
  • Entertainment yourself. Please. Whether you enjoy reading, listening to books, watching movies, playing games, knitting, whatever. Bring stuff to entertain you during the flight and during the layovers

The long lonely road

On fighting loneliness..

  • Set Skype dates…With Skype dates,  you can say goodnight to the kids, which makes them happy and makes you feel less isolated. Also, don’t forget about friends and family. If you talk to your best friend or sister or mom on a regular basis, give them a call. Just because you’re not home doesn’t mean you can’t maintain your relationships.
  • Exercise. I know it’s a cliché, but exercising really does improve your mood.

On traveling when you’re sick..

  • Hydrate. Drinking sufficient water is even more important when you don’t feel good. My pharmacist told me when I’m feeling bad to drink enough ounces of water to equal half of my body weight.
  • Give yourself extra time. When you are moving slowly, it gives you a little peace of mind to know that you have extra time to get places.
  • Treat yourself, just a little. If you normally drink Diet Coke but getting a real Coke will make you feel a little bit indulgent, do it. For me, getting a big cup of Earl Gray while in the cold, cold airport comforts and warms me.

Other  than provide our customers with top-notch furnished apartments and corporate housing options, PC Housing also frequently offers compelling advice on everything from unusual dining etiquette, tips for surviving a business trip in 2012, how to turn a business trip into a vacation and the best ways to tour a city,  so be sure to to browse our past articles and keep coming back every week for more great business travel-related posts!

Images: TheMinimalists, PeaceLoveWorld, SoloFemaleTraveler