Get Out!!

When traveling for business, it is very easy to go stir-crazy.  At a certain point, it does not matter how nice the hotel you are staying in is, they will all begin to look and feel the same.  Sometimes, the TV may only have 12 channels, or the sound goes in and out, etc.  This can drive you absolutely nuts!

This is why you should get out of your room.  Make yourself go to a local restaurant instead of the hotel bar for dinner.  Ask the check-in person if there are any interesting attractions around your hotel, or within local driving distance.

You will be amazed how much more fun traveling is when you are able to see the sights where you are staying.

I understand that sometimes there will be late night business dinners. or late night project completions, or late night catching up on emails, etc.  Obviously, you will not be able to spend every night on the road after 5 exploring fun new cities, but when you do have a few hours of down time, get out and see some new things.

On a side note, this should go without saying, but also use common sense.  If there is a full time police officer stationed at the entrance of your hotel, you probably should stay in your room and enjoy your 12 channel TV.  But, again, ask your check-in personnel, they will tell you if it is safe, or if you should drive a little further away.

When you start feeling claustrophobic and feel as if the walls in your hotel room are closing in on you, make yourself get out, life will be much better when you are traveling.