Many people think traveling for business is like getting paid to take a vacation. Unfortunately, that’s often far from the truth. Although it can relieve the monotony of the daily routine, it usually involves being at your best for official business. Since this can be tiresome, it pays to avoid any additional frustration. Here are some tips to make your business trip as stress-free as possible:

Pre-Packed Bags

One of the biggest hassles for a busy traveler is packing. Pre-packed bags are great for frequent business travelers on short trips. Keep them stocked with fresh clothes, toiletries, pens, notepads and headache medications. Even if you need to add stuff for a particular trip, the necessities will already be packed.

Pre-Book Your Car

Although you can find a taxi at any airport, you might have to wait in line. Airport fees can add to this inconvenience. Pre-booking your car can save you the trouble and you’ll be greeted by someone who’s waiting specifically for you. If you’re visiting the L.A. area, consider calling LAX Car Service for premier limo service to and from the airport.

Avoid Jet Lag

Jet lag can be a shock to the body, since humans weren’t designed to travel so quickly across time zones. If you’re traveling east, spend the days before the trip rolling back your sleeping and waking hours a few minutes each day. If you’re traveling west, do the opposite. Be sure to stay hydrated, especially if you’re drinking alcohol on the plane. Dehydration tends to worsen the effects of jet lag.

Avoid Germs

There’s no better way to ruin a business trip than to get sick while you’re away from home. Due to the large number of passengers that board a typical plane in the course of a day, there’s a better than average chance of picking up a germ. Wash your hands at every opportunity and carry some hand sanitizer to kill whatever germs you pick up shaking hands.

Tie Up Loose Ends

Catch up on everything you have to do at the office before you leave, so your mind won’t be back there instead of dealing with the present. Set up automatic responses for your email accounts to let others know you’re out of town. It’s also a good idea to create a list of tasks to knock out when you return, so you can clear your mind and avoid being preoccupied. Remember that you can only be in one place at a time.

Unfortunately, there’s no magic spell to create a stress-free business trip. However, if you follow the tips listed above, you can prevent some of the most common problems you’re likely to encounter. It all comes down to how well you prepare for your trip, before it’s time to leave.