Business Travel & Cognitive, Fatigue Challenges

[sms1]

I'd like to learn more about strategies for managing heavy business travel from the perspective of addressing challenges of fatigue and loss of "sharpness" that can accompany this type of travel, but need to be worked through to be effectively manage the work at hand.

I am a 38 year old women and was diagnosed with MS in October when I encountered optic neuritis. I was treated with steroids right away and have pretty much felt fine since.

I do know I tire more easily than the average person. And, of course, being tired affects my cognitive abilities. But I don't have any specific issues with mobility.

Now I am considering a new job with extensive (40%) global travel... lots of flights back and forth from Chicago to Europe, Asia, Mid East, S. America.

I have read a lot about MSers managing travel, but its primarily focused on the mobility angle... emphasizing wheelchair use, etc.

Looking for insight from MSers with thoughts on addressing the the cognitive aspects.

[rdmc]

Years ago, pre MS, we did some long distance travelling (hubby travelled internationally for job and son and I tagged along.)

So if I look back, and try to superimpose MS on how travel made me feel, I'd think you biggest issue would be managing fatigue and jet lag. If you can manage the fatigue, you should be able to manage the cognitive functions.

I was never much of a "sleeper" when it came to long distance flights, but if you're going to be in a plane for 16 hours or longer if you're headed to China, I'd think if you could figure out a way to truly rest on the plane ride, it would serve you well.

[BigA]

I used to travel internationally before I was diagnosed. I'm like you - I get tired more easily than "normal" people.

I think the drill is to make sure you schedule enough time for rest, adding extra days if possible and always resting.

For sharpness in meetings, your doctor can prescribe ritalin or adderall which really helps with sharpness.

Finally, you might want to exercise - it helps with mental clarity and fatigue.

[onlyairfare]

Long reply!

I used to travel 80% for my job, but only domestically and I was always glad I didn't have to do international travel for my job because the time zone changes are tough, especially if the travel is 80%. I do still travel internationally a fair amount for pleasure or for "working vacations."

The key though for fatigue and cog fog issues is to get enough sleep. Even people without MS are going to feel cognitively challenged by sleep deprivation; scientific studies have shown that sleep deprivation impairs you as much as a blood alcohol level equal to "impaired," as in DUI.

Ideally your company will allow business class or first class travel for flights 8 hours or longer, so you can get some sleep on the flight in a "lie flat" seat. Many large corporations do have such policies, especially if they want you to hit the ground running shortly after landing.

If they don't pay for first class, amass your miles on one of the 3 alliances (Star Alliance, Sky Team or One World) to get to the highest elite level ASAP, usually at 75,000 or 100,000 miles. Then you will probably be able to get first class upgrades using your miles. The website FlyerTalk will give you a ton of information on how to choose the right alliance for you and to best manage your miles.

Try to bunch multiple destinations eastward to Europe into one trip, as once you are in Europe (7 or 8 time zones from Chicago), it is only one or two time zones difference between the UK, Scandinavia, France/Germany, and eastern Europe or even the Middle East. The one or two hour difference is not nearly as hard as the 7 or 8 hours. Do the same "bunching" when you head westward to the Pacific Rim and Asia.

I always travel with Provigil to help me wake up at the right time and stay awake. Also something to help me get to sleep at the right time. Your body will take about one day per hour of time zone difference to adapt to the different environment, but you will need to operate in the different time zone right away.

Travel eastward (eg toward Europe from the US) is harder than westward (eg home from Europe) because of two factors. 1) Our natural body clock cycle is 25 hours, not 24, so it is easier to stay up a little later at night; when you head west, you are basically staying up later. 2) When you head west, time zones work in your favor for "shorter flights." If you leave Paris at 10 am for Chicago on a 8 hour flight, you will get to Chicago at "12 noon" - an 8 hour flight covering 6 times zones, leaving a net 2 hour difference. Note this may vary slightly depending on start/end of daylight savings time, as Europe may be different than the US.

When you head east from Chicago to Paris, you'll leave at 8 pm in Chicago and arrive 8 hours later but it's 10 am Paris time. You're tired because you didn't sleep well on the plane, your body feels like it is the middle of the night even though it is broad daylight, and it is too early to check into your hotel for a nap. One solution is to reserve your room and pay for the night before so that you can check in and take a nap before you go out to dinner with clients. You should also enroll in the frequent stay program of your favorite hotel chain so that they might allow you to check in earlier than 4 pm and get that nap for free.

Travel to South and Central America is much easier - minimal time zone changes. I traveled for 36 hours to get home from a vacation in the remote Amazon jungle of Brazil, but for all that, there was only a one-hour time change. I got home Monday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend to find a ticket to Philly waiting for me so I could be there at 9 am the next morning for a major sales presentation. Piece of cake! No lost sleep in the 36 hour trip.

I don't have advice for the trans-Pacific routes as I don't travel to East Asia, and if I am going to south Asia or Southwest Asia, I travel via Europe so it is still east-bound. I do know that crossing the International Dateline makes all the calculations a lot different.

Since it sounds as though your MS is not causing you much disability at present, I'd take advantage of the job opportunity. It's great to see the world on the company dime and I think you will appreciate the advantages of getting a global perspective on business.

[sms1]

Thanks everyone!

[Jazzberry]

I travel for work domestically, but put in long hours that are rather mentally draining to the average joe, so I think I can offer what works (sort of) for me.

I always try and get in the day before my meetings and book nonstop or direct flights with as much extra time in my hotel room the eve before my mtgs. I also leave the morning after my meetings so I can rest up in my hotel room. I utilize the wheelchair escort service at all airports as I found it not only conserved my physical energy but my mental focus.

In those longgg meetings I get a decent breakfast (esp oatmeal with fruit/granola) as it seems to help my thinking. I avoid the grazing on donuts or sweet treats during breaks. I also recite the alphabet (in my head) to help me re-focus. I find it harder to go over financials or reports compared to a few years ago, but learned making tick marks on my paperwork as we go along helps somehow.

I also get up to stretch my legs in the middle of a meeting if I find I can't stay as focused as I need to. Since just about everyone has had a bad back, etc nobody seems to notice. It also gives a subtle "hint" to the facilitator that it may be time for a 5 minute break.

I have often ordered room service for a meal and headed off to bed rather early (compared to most people). The extra hours resting seems to help my body and my brain re-coup it abilities for the next day. I may loose a little on the socializing or sightseeing, but I learned it is what I have to do to keep my issues hidden.

If my speech gets goofy I pretend to have a coughing or sneezing episode - soehow it helps me speak cearly and cogently.

Good luck!