With the emergence of hybrid work, employees choose to work while being on holiday. This phenomenon is called bleisure travel.

Imagine being on a beach, spending your leisure time alone or with your family. You’re enjoying the spectacular ocean view and eating some good food. But you also brought your laptop, and you’re attending to some work emails. You’ve chosen to do some work despite being on holiday.

With companies shifting to a hybrid work model, more and more employees are finding new ways to take leisure time while working. Because the way we work is changing, employees are also adapting and changing how they take some time off. Regardless of whether the formal boundaries between work and rest are blurred, employees feel that working while being on holiday is okay. This combination of work and holiday is known as “bleisure” travel.

What is bleisure travel?

“Bleisure” is a portmanteau of “business” and “leisure.” Originally, bleisure travel referred to when business people extended their work travels to sightseeing.

However, with the ongoing shift to remote work, the definition of bleisure travel has also changed. Work-from-home employees now take their work from anywhere else they choose.

Choosing to go on a bleisure trip

Many people are choosing to work while being on holiday, particularly young workers. A new survey by SiteMinder revealed that more than a third of travellers are working on their next trip. About 45 to 49 per cent of them are Gen Z workers.

About 65 per cent of travellers from Thailand and 47 per cent from China are interested in adopting bleisure travel. However, Australians are not quite interested in taking a bleisure trip.

Only about 24 per cent of 800 Australian travellers surveyed in the study said they would work on their next holiday, which is amongst the lowest in the entire survey. Of this number, 45 per cent were aged 18 to 25.

Regarding macroeconomic factors, the survey revealed that Australian travellers had the highest number of respondents who said inflation had “no impact” on their travel decisions.

Is it a good idea to work while on holiday?

There’s nothing wrong with choosing to work during a holiday, especially if no one is forcing you to do so. A study by Wrike has shown that 36 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women enjoy their holiday more and even feel less stressed when they can stay connected and check in at work.

But another study by Harvard Business Review, which assessed the intrinsic motivation of employees who worked during time off, revealed that, on average, people who worked during certain weekends felt less intrinsic motivation for work. This result is because workers separated their time into time for work and time for rest, but because engaging in work during holidays or time off causes conflict between expectations and reality. As a consequence, they find their work less meaningful and less engaging.

So what should we do?

Working while being on holiday shouldn’t be the norm, but the exception. Suppose you plan to log on to work while you’re away, set limits. Set the expectations that there is a possibility that you won’t be able to work at all. It means your co-workers should be there for backup in case this happens.

In the end, working while on holiday can help ease the stress of not being connected to your computer for work, but it can also blur the line between work and rest. Set boundaries so that you don’t feel burnt out.

Summer is here, and Statesboro residents are eagerly heading out on their vacations. But it’s easy to overlook one crucial detail: your car’s readiness for the journey. Before hitting the road, ensure your vehicle is in top shape with a checkup from your local auto technician to avoid any unwanted travel disruptions.

With summer approaching, more Statesboro residents are making plans for a summer vacation. You’ve booked your hotels, packed your bags, worked out your schedule, and bought your tickets. You’ve prepared everything, right? You might be surprised to realize you’d forgotten one very important thing.

Before you race to head out on the long road, it might be time to take your car to your local auto technician for a checkup. The last thing you want while enjoying your vacation is car troubles.

AC

With the summer heat baking everything outside, your AC dying could be catastrophic to your enjoyment of your trip. Can you imagine spending hours in a hot car as you drive to your destination? Or worse, wasting precious hours of your vacation looking for a mechanic to fix it?

Having your AC checked before you head out can help you detect any problems that might arise on the road. It might be possible that your AC is low on refrigerant or that your filter needs to be replaced, especially if you’ve been struggling to cool your car.

Tires

Coming out of winter, the air pressure in your tires might be lower than recommended. Not only can a flat tire lead to dangerous wear and tear, but it will cost you on your gas bill. Lower tire pressure significantly reduces your mileage. While you’re checking your tire pressure, it can’t hurt to check the tread depth, too! It could be time to rotate your tires to avoid uneven wear before you head on the road.

Engine

With summer temperatures only rising, you need to keep your engine from overheating. Thankfully, your engine has a system to keep it cool. However, this system needs to be in top condition to cool properly. A number of factors could lead to your engine overheating, such as a broken belt, a cracked hose, or low or leaking coolant.

An automotive technician can examine your engine for damaged parts and ensure that any important fluids are topped up. Even without damage, your engine can’t keep cool if the level of coolant is low.

Brakes

No matter how early you leave, you’re likely to be stuck in traffic at least once during your road trip. You need to trust that your brakes are reliable during that stop-and-go traffic. Over time, your brake pads will wear out, and worn brake pads reduce the efficacy of your breaking. A technician can examine your brakes to determine if your brake pads need replacement as well as any other issues that might affect the safety of your travel.

Oil Change

After 5,000 miles, it’s important that you change your oil! If you’re going to be driving a significant distance, why not prepare ahead and make sure your oil is free of contaminants? Even if you might not have driven much during winter, changing your oil during summer can help protect your engine from the increase in stress and heat due to high temperatures.

Alignment

If you want to remain safe, it’s important to have your vehicle’s alignment checked. Misalignment can cause issues such as your car pulling to one side, your wheel vibrating, or the wheel struggling to remain centered even when driving straight. While misalignment can be caused over time, it can also be caused by driving on rough roads, which may have been the case during the winter months.

Monsoons are the most awaited season to explore destinations while enjoying the refreshing rains.
The monsoons are a welcome relief from the blazing sun when the rain settles down all the pollution and dust around bringing out clean green surroundings.

Travelling during monsoon is one of the most adventurous and fun experiences you can have when dark clouds shower drops of bliss on earthlings. Monsoon season is one of the best times of year for travellers to explore a rainforest, a beachside town or a hilly city which offers ecstasy, beauty, and divine delight.

As a traveller, you must be careful while wandering around during monsoon due to extreme weather conditions. The wet season can make travel more complicated.

If you’re planning a trip during this rainy season, the constant temperature shifts can take a toll on your skin and leave it irritated and oily. The high humidity can affect skin health negatively.

Like any trip to a faraway destination, preparation is key. The following practical tips explain how to travel during the rainy season:

Use Waterproof Sunscreen
Despite the rain and cloud cover during monsoon season, UV rays can still harm our skin, even on overcast days. Sun is barely visible in this season, so people tend to skip the sunscreen thinking their skin will not get damaged as the weather is cloudy and rainy. However, UV radiation can be higher during cloudy days because the clouds can reflect and scatter the UV rays, increasing their intensity.

The weather is humid and the thick formulation of sunscreens can make your skin oily, sticky, and sweat all day. So it would be a good idea to pick something that’s gel-based lightweight and does not end up clogging your pores. For the monsoon season, one must opt for water-resistant sunscreen. A single application will not protect your skin the entire day. Sunscreen must be reapplied every three hours for the best result and strictly to reapply after prolonged sun exposure, heavy sweating, swimming, or heavy exercising.

Keep it Minimal
Applying makeup can be challenging during humid weather during travelling as they might have a chance of melting in the rain.
In the monsoon season, less is always more. So, you may want to consider pausing the usage of heavy moisturisers and facial oils for skin preps.

Embrace a minimalistic approach to your makeup routine. Opt for a natural, dewy look with gel-based moisturisers and lightweight serums enriched with hyaluronic products that enhance your features rather than masking them. For your base, you can also substitute a foundation with a BB or CC cream to even out your complexion followed up with a hydrating concealer to cover up any blemishes.

Antifungal Treatment
A jump in a puddle in the rain might satisfy your inner child but this could cause a host of fungal infections to you. High levels of humidity in the air allow bacteria and infections to multiply with ease which leads to problems like itching, swelling, and a foul smell. The air is saturated with moisture during the rainy season that makes it an ideal breeding season for bacteria, viruses and fungi.

In humans, fungal infections happen when an attacking fungus takes over a part of your body, and your immune system is not capable enough to ward it off.

Lotion based moisturizers are better than cream based ones in this season. Pure coconut oil provides instant relief. In its unheated form, coconut oil works as a potent antifungal agent. Applying it over the skin makes it a good, safe topical medicine.

Neem oil is considered a natural antifungal. Neem is easily available and works as one of the best treatments for fungal infections.

Washing the infected area with neem water helps in treating fungal infections. To make neem water, boil neem leaves in water for a few minutes and let it cool. It can be used to massage the feet and can be applied to the toes. Lightly dab the neem oil onto the area using a cotton swab or cotton ball, and allow it to soak in for up to 30 minutes. Wash off the oil with warm water.

Dry and crush some neem leaves. Add this powder to sandalwood powder and make it a paste with rose water. Now apply this paste to the area where you have the infection in feet and nails.

Waterproof Shoes
Whether you’ve got caught in a downpour or you’ve been forced to walk through an unavoidable puddle, Waterproof boots are rightfully beloved for their ability to shield your feet from the discomfort of damp conditions.

So Waterproof shoes are essential for maintaining comfort and dryness during the rainy season travelling. Choosing the right pair of waterproof shoes can be a daunting task for travellers. It’s critical to try shoes before you buy them whenever possible to ensure the upper fits the way you like. Preferably buy sneakers, that are comfortable to walk in and are skid-free.

Invest in a pair of popular brand waterproof, windproof and breathable socks that live up to their name. Not only will they keep your feet safe from dirty water and slippery paths, but they also make for a great statement piece for your outfits!

Hydration
Dehydration is a common complaint during travelling in hot and humid weather. The increased humidity during the monsoon can increase your sweat rate, which can cause dehydration. It can make you sweat incessantly, losing more water. Dehydration strips the cells of water and vital minerals and hence a person feels tired, lethargic and dizzy. It’s essential to drink water regularly, regardless of your thirst level, especially during the rainy season when you might not feel as thirsty due to cooler temperatures. Water makes up 70% of our body mass and is one of the most vital nutrients. On average, an adult needs 2-3 litres of water daily to stay well-hydrated.

During monsoon, your drinking water may get contaminated and hence packaged mineral water is best during monsoon because it is loaded with essential minerals and nutrients. You must try tender coconut water, lime water, kokum squash, buttermilk, soups and fruits-vegetables with high water content like watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber etc. to keep the body hydrated

It’s no secret travel can be as stressful as it is rewarding — from planning and packing to navigating and adapting, you learn to expect the unexpected.

However, traveling with kids can involve a lot more moving parts to the process of getting to your destination. When traveling, making sure your kids stay safe and healthy during your trip is a top priority. Gathered from fellow parents, get a head start on your next adventure with this list of the top 10 best tips for traveling with kids.

1. Pack extra clothing in your carry-on

Accidents can happen with kids of all ages. Parent Nubia Duvall Wilson recalls how she wishes she remembered this packing tip, “Our potty-trained toddler son had an accident right before boarding a plane. We had to clean him up in the bathroom, and he ended up without underwear. He was a good sport, but I felt terrible for not having a spare pair.”

Always keep an extra outfit and underwear in your carry-on for an easy change that will keep your child clean and comfortable.

2. Protect against germs on public transport

Airplanes, trains, buses and boats, whatever the mode of public transport — it probably has a lot of germs, especially on tray tables, arm rests and windows. Wilson also recommends wiping down these surfaces thoroughly, as your child is likely to touch and press against them often. A quick but thorough cleaning can help prevent the spread of bacteria and keep your child healthy for the remainder of the vacation. Frequent hand-washing or hand sanitizer is a good idea as well.

3. Remember hydration, snacks and sleep items

Ensuring your kids stay hydrated, well-fed and well-rested is crucial during travel. Always have reusable water bottles handy to refill and grab a bunch of healthy, packable snacks to avoid overly sugary options on the go. Comfort is key for better sleep — bring familiar items such as their car seat for the plane, an extended seat cushion or travel pillow for head support. Noise-canceling headphones or a soft eye mask can block out ambient noise and light. Additionally, a favorite blanket, stuffed animal or even a cozy set of pajamas can provide a sense of security, making it easier for your child to settle down and rest.

4. Opt for grocery delivery

Vacation rentals often offer the convenience of grocery delivery. This can be a lifesaver, especially when traveling with toddlers. Wilson shares, “We chose vacation rentals over hotels to have groceries delivered in advance. It saved us from the hassle of shopping with cranky kids who just wanted to get to the pool or beach.” This also allows you the ability to customize your order, so you’ll have your kids favorite foods easily available and will be able to feed them balanced meals throughout the trip, rather than relying solely on limited restaurant kids menu options. You’ll likely save money too!

5. Use digital devices for safety

When visiting crowded places like Disney, consider equipping your kids with digital devices to maximize travel safety. These allow for convenient tracking and communication in case you get separated. Wilson told us, “Our kids, aged 7 and 8, had their Gabb watches on during our Disney trip, giving us peace of mind knowing we could contact them if necessary.” If your kids are too young to use devices, parent Daniel Clarke suggests waterproof silicone bracelets or clothing tags with your contact information and any medical details to help you feel more assured.

6. Be consistent with sun protection

Traveling, especially during summer, means constant sun exposure — and nothing ruins the fun on vacation like a bad sunburn. You can protect your kids by frequently applying sunscreen, using sun shades in the car and encouraging them to wear hats and sunglasses. Parent Amy Johnson mentioned, “Our car has sun shades, which help our kids nap and stay cool during long drives. I always keep sunscreen sticks handy to avoid getting my hands dirty.” Of course, sunburns do happen, so adding aloe or cooling lotion to your bag is a smart choice too.

7. Prioritize time management and regular breaks

Traveling can require a lot of waiting in lines and sitting still in a seat. With kids, it’s best to give yourself an extra time buffer whenever possible in case of unexpected challenges or delays. Plus, not rushing will protect your peace of mind and mood. On long trips, Johnson also recommends frequent stops to prevent your kids from getting too hot, overstimulated or uncomfortable. Whenever possible, encourage them to get up and move around to burn some energy.

8. Try out portable potty solutions

For those potty training or dealing with unfamiliar public restrooms, Johnson says that portable potty training chairs and folding travel potty seats have been super helpful for her family. These items not only make bathroom breaks more manageable but also help keep your kids safe from bacteria in public restrooms.

Frequently asking your children if they need to go to the restroom can prevent urgent situations and can also help them get used to the idea of going in new and unfamiliar settings.

9. Bring travel a first-aid kit and important documents

A well-stocked first-aid kit is a travel essential. Beyond the basics like Tylenol, Advil and bandages, consider including motion sickness medication, antihistamines, anti-itch cream, and stool softeners. “These items have saved us from emergency visits,” says parent Richard Campbell. You might also want to bring copies of any important medical documents or consider investing in travel health insurance for your kids, as it provides coverage for unexpected medical expenses and emergencies. Dr. Preeti Parikh, executive medical director at GoodRx, said it’s important to “make sure your children’s vaccines are up to date to prevent infections from diseases like measles, mumps and polio. Keep an eye on how your kids are feeling during travel and consult a medical provider if something feels off.”

10. Ask for help and split the work evenly

Traveling with kids can be overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to ask for help and split the work evenly among adults in your travel group. Discuss contingency plans, assign different responsibilities and share the load to reduce the mental burden. Above all, be patient with yourself — no travel experience will be perfect and that’s OK. If you’re traveling alone, check in with yourself often and remind yourself that you’re doing great. Be sure to set reasonable expectations and lean on others around you — you’ll often find kindness and support close by no matter where you are.