This is How to Make Sure You Stay on Track With Your Goals

Guest post by Elizabeth Yuko
We all have a list of goals — either written down or floating around in our heads — that will help take our lives in the direction we want. Having that list is a great first step, but you have to actually keep track of, and then follow through on your goals in order to make them count.

Major behavior changes don’t happen overnight — you’re far more likely to succeed if you use Microsteps (small, science-backed incremental changes) that can make a big difference. Here are three additional strategies to help you stick to your goals so you can achieve them:

1) Find people who will keep you accountable

You might be hesitant to share your goals with other people. After all, if you let others know about your goals and then end up not being able to achieve them, you may feel as though you’ve failed. But in reality, telling people about your goals and asking them to hold you accountable actually helps. And it can be a two-way street: Return the favor by finding an accountability buddy, and you can each help each other stay on track.

2) Do a distraction detox

If you’re finding that you are not reaching your goals because instead of chipping away at them, you’re constantly turning to technology or devices when you have some downtime, consider trying a distraction detox. As Thrive founder and CEO Arianna Huffington writes: “We’re being controlled by something we should be controlling. And it’s consuming our attention and crippling our ability to focus, think, be present, and, most important, to truly connect, both with others and with ourselves.”

Of course, technology can be very useful and, in some ways, make us more efficient. Huffington is simply urging us to reconsider our relationship with our devices — disconnecting from them when needed, and reconnecting with ourselves, and in turn, our goals. For example, if your goal is to get better at drawing, instead of spending an hour each night watching TV or scrolling through social media, use that time to draw instead.

3) Give yourself time off

Being disciplined is a great thing (and a vital way of reaching your goals), but don’t forget to take the time you need to relax, reset, and recharge. Meeting your goals will be impossible if you’re burned out. Instead, give yourself some time off for good behavior. Take a break from your environment, spend some time in nature, or spend an hour wandering through a nearby museum. Allowing yourself time to do something other than work towards your goals is healthy and necessary. It may also spark curiosity and creativity, and make you even more productive than before when you’re ready to refocus.


Ready to give yourself some time off or have a change of pace? Find a new city to explore for a month, get started here.

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This Female Founder Is Making Hair Accessories More Fun, While Giving Back

At Behere, we travel often and are always looking for brands and products that are great for travel, and the world. That’s why we were excited to connect with a female founder giving back – and creating a brand with a philanthropic focus! We caught up with Elle Draper, founder of Lemonelle, to learn more about her initial idea for her company and how she’s giving back through her passion.

Elle shared her initial ideation for Lemonelle

“I’ve been sewing since I was very young (mainly self-taught), and I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mind. I moved to NYC right after college, and having studied/ practiced art and design my whole life. I knew I wanted a career in the creative space, but I didn’t have the guts to start something on my own until I had spent a few years working at and learning from other companies.

After two years working as a graphic designer at a female-founded startup, where I was creating relationships with hundreds of small unique retail brands, I realized I was ready to BE one of those brands. To initiate my creative brainstorm, I thought back to my childhood and the days I spent playing around on the sewing machine.

I dusted off my machine and started tinkering with small accessories, simple dresses, and scrunchies. I saw scrunchies coming back into the high fashion world, and that was the idea that I ran with. Like a mad scientist, I started creating scrunchies of all sizes and materials, testing out different elastics until I landed on the *perfect* pattern, which is the one I use for all my scrunchies now.

The name came next. I didn’t want to limit myself by putting ‘scrunchies’ into the brand name, so I thought back to the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” and ‘Lemonelle’ was born! Another reason I like the ‘lemon’ concept is the phrase can have different endings – lemonade is just one of many options.

Cool! Tell us more about the scrunchies

“Everything is made in the USA, and I hand-pick all the fabrics myself from a variety of sources. I choose fabrics that make sense for the season, and the product. I have to consider what material(s) will look and feel good even after they’re all cinched up. Stretch velvet works nicely and has been a popular style for fall and winter. I like satin/silk combos with beautiful prints, and for the summer collection I’m using a lot of fun spandex/swim-friendly fabric.

Recently, I’ve been designing my own *custom* fabrics (also manufactured in the US). Early on, I was sewing all the scrunchies myself, but once I had perfected the product design and packaging, I decided it was best to outsource production so I could spend more time on marketing and website design.”

Being a first time founder is never easy, Elle shared some of her journey

“Finding the right manufacturer is a trial and error process. I cold-called a long list of NYC based manufacturing studios, and found three different spots that agreed to do small batch production with my original pattern. After a few rounds with NYC based production, I decided the costs were a bit high, so I expanded my search into the rest of the US. I found a studio in Kentucky, and one in LA.

I still sew all the initial samples of each style myself when I first pick out the fabrics, but then I send the fabric to those production places for the rest. Everything is made in small batches because I think it’s special to create scarcity with limited editions. It also helps me figure out what my customers are drawn to the most.”

Not only does she hand-sew each initial sample, but Elle also focuses on having a social impact

“A portion of every sale goes towards a charity called Sew Powerful, an organization that teaches women in impoverished countries how to sew.

I chose to give back because I wanted my brand to have a social impact. Sew Powerful was my charity of choice because when I considered the skills that made it possible for me to start a company, sewing was top of mind. I realized how grateful I am to have been exposed to a sewing machine at such a young age. I want to give other women the opportunity to create things with the same versatile skill and hopefully enable them to provide for their families or themselves.

In certain cases, my donation will go towards another charity. For example, I collaborated with a musical artist, Anjali World, on a specific scrunchie style (a green one called ‘Nani’, based on her nickname). Anjali founded a non-profit called Jaws and Paws which aims to protect wildlife. The proceeds from the ‘Nani’ style go towards her organization, and I plan to expand my donations with other collaborations later.”

lemonelleWith so many hair accessories now, what makes Lemonelle unique?

“Oh so many reasons! The philanthropic aspect of Lemonelle is one piece of it, but also the product design and the whole brand-experience is different than most. The packaging is very thoughtful; each scrunchie comes in a small clear cylinder (a pillow shape for the three-packs) with a citrus candy (lemon!) because I want the ‘unboxing’ experience to be as special as the product.

Delighting the customer is really important in creating loyalty, so I also include a circular ‘thank you’ /informational card about the company and the cause within each package. The plastic containers can be repurposed as cute little catch-alls, and the aesthetic just feels more luxurious than the typical cardboard hanger that we see for most scrunchie displays. Each scrunchie style has a fun original name to suggest a more dynamic ‘story’ beyond the color, and in each scrunchie we sew a signature yellow satin ‘tab’ for an added flair and brand recognition.

As a solo female founder, I am quality assuring every single scrunchie before I send it out, and I produce all my own social media content/ website designs (for now).

Lemonelle is also very collaboration friendly! I’ve worked with a few other small brands to create cross promotional opportunities and make special ‘bundles’. For example, over the holidays I partnered with a cosmetic brand. We created a bundle where her lipstick color matched the Lemonelle scrunchie and sold it as a duo. I have more exciting collaborations in the works too.”

And of course, why are Lemonelle scrunchies so great for travel?

“They are debatably the best travel accessory! They fit anywhere, they’re light as a feather (won’t weigh down your suitcase) and they’re incredibly versatile. Scrunchies can be dressed up or down, and unlike certain jewelry they won’t get impossibly tangled up in your travel bag.

They’re also comfortable and beneficial for hair-health. Regular hair-ties can cause split ends and unwanted kinks; scrunchies are gentle on your locks and, in my opinion, way more fun. They can be worn on the wrist like a bracelet, or in an updo for an effortless flair.

They’re perfect as travel GIFTS too; I’ve gotten amazing feedback from customers who have gotten Lemonelle as bachelorette party gifts or a bridesmaid goodies. Suitcase-caused fabric wrinkles are a non-issue as well. I never go anywhere without my scrunchies!”


Check out Lemonelle on Instagram. And if you want to support a female founder and get your hands on Elle’s scrunchies for your next trip, head to lemonelle.co.

Do This If You Need to Make Decisions Better and Faster

How to tell the difference between thoughtful analysis and overthinking it

Believe it or not, it’s entirely possible to get better — and faster — at making decisions. Dean Graziosi, a New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur has come up with three tips for choosing the best option when speed and time both count. Keep these in mind the next time you’re faced with a major decision, either at work or at home:

Understand that decision-making isn’t black and white

We’re conditioned to believe that there are either “good” or “bad” decisions, but in reality, most fall somewhere in the middle. Coming to terms with this is a big part of allowing yourself to trust the decisions you make in a relatively short period of time, Graziosi says. Part of this involves letting go of decisions you made in the past that you weren’t entirely satisfied with and not letting them haunt you in the present, or with regard to your decisions about the future.

“Inevitably, when we hit these proverbial crossroads, when we choose one road over the other, there will be plenty of consequences,” he says. “Our choices do impact our relationships, our home lives  —  everything impacts everything.” The key to reducing your stress about that is to give yourself a break, and realize that there are positive and negative implications to everything… and that’s ok.

Focus on what could go right

Of course, Graziosi isn’t saying that we should entirely block out any potential negative consequences when making a decision, but it’s crucial — especially when we’re in a time crunch — to focus more on the positives and on what could go right. Though this sounds like a relatively simple switch, in reality, it can make a big difference.

“Focusing on the positives creates, in turn, positive energy, which makes us more creative and more genuinely inspired,” he says. “It encourages clear thinking. It even opens up a more clear line of communication between your mind and your gut  —  allowing you to feel your way to the right, more correct decision, as informed by your core values and your capital-B Big Goals.”

Similarly, an article in the Harvard Business Review explained that although corporations have spent a lot of time and money on strategic planning, in practice, the process can actually a barrier to good decision-making. The authors don’t argue that planning isn’t important (of course, it is!), but they point out that sometimes we can get so focused on avoiding negative outcomes that it prevents us from making better, faster decisions.

It’s OK to change — or challenge — your core values

Most people don’t hold the same set of beliefs their entire lives — and that’s normal and healthy. It means we have an open mind and are willing to learn about new perspectives. This is also an important part of effective decision-making: Graziosi says that we have to give ourselves the freedom to change our core values if they no longer make sense.

But beyond simply having the freedom to change our core beliefs, being able to reason and reconsider our positions on something is an important part of being human, as Aristotle writes in Nicomachean Ethics. Exercising our ability for rational thought, and rethinking situations we previously thought we had figured out not only strengthens our character, it also makes us better decision-makers.

The example Graziosi gives is someone staying in a bad marriage because they were raised Catholic and taught that this was an unacceptable way for a relationship to end. In reality, though, this person may rethink their beliefs and make the decision to get a divorce, knowing that it’s the best option for them in the long-run.

The same type of thing can happen in the workplace, too. Let’s say you work for an advertising agency and, as a matter of principle, only represent companies whose products you’ve used and loved. At one point, though, you’re offered the chance to work with a new client whose products you’re unfamiliar with, but who seems like a compelling partner when you meet. In this case, you may rethink your own stance and make the decision to work with them. In either case, it’s crucial to understand that as humans, we grow and change, and our decisions — and decision-making — can and should reflect that.


7 Experts Share Their Tips to Balance Work and Travel

Despite seeming like a dream, balancing work and travel can quickly become overwhelming. From finding the right remote job, to managing your new found freedom with travel, it’s not an easy task. But one that is well worth it – our amazing community is proof.

At Behere, we’re always looking for tips to making it easier. That’s why our team sought out some of the experts to find out their best work and travel tips. These women have found a way to work and travel with balance. Their offices have been in airports, parks, cafes and restaurants, around the world and they know a thing or two about working on the go. From creative industries, to technical ones, there’s so many roles that can be done on the go. The key is to find that all too challenging ‘balance‘.

martina martian

Martina Martian: Artist & Creative

“My top tip for working while traveling is to always figure out how many hours you need in the week to get your work done but be flexible about when those hours are! Leave room for spontaneity and new plans- we are lucky not to have to stick to a schedule.” –  @martinamartian & martinamartian.com

 

Lauren Meeker: Founder, Photographer & Content Creator

“Go slowly – spend at least one month in each place and bounce around less. When you have the freedom to be working from anywhere in the world, you can sometimes feel like you need to be everywhere at once, seeing everything and going everywhere, always taking full advantage of this incredible opportunity. But making a conscious effort to spend at least a month in each place you travel will give you enough time to get into a healthy routine in each location, and help you stay productive while working around the world.” – @splorinlauren & voyageandventure.com

 

travel and work tips

Carrie Mitchell: Writer, Author & Creative

“Invest in a digital work management platform (like Bonsai) and apps that can help you organize and stick to your project timelines while you are traveling. Having reminders and everything in one place is a lifesaver.” – @carrieamitchell

 

Meesen Brown

Meesen Brown: Founder & CEO

“When I started working while traveling, I quickly learnt the key for my productivity is being prepared, before I arrive. This means booking an apartment that has home comforts, in a safe area, finding a coworking space with good community, and booking fitness classes or finding a running route. Doing these in advance allow me to actually enjoy the new city I’m in, and get my work done. Plus it saves me tons of time and headaches.” – @meesenb & gobehere.com

 

bucketlist bombshells


Cassie & Shay: Online Course Creators

“Be intentional about maintaining a routine on the road — we love to create a new schedule that adjusts with each location we’re in. It allows us to create routines, practice self-care and be the best version of ourselves for our business!”   – @bucketlistbombshells

 

work and travel tips


Roota: Marketing Expert & Freelancer

“If you’d like to travel while making a full-time income, I recommend you learn well paying marketing skills. Those skills will help you land high-ticket clients who are happy to pay for your services. I’ve scaled my online business this way for 2 years and have been able to make a comfortable full-time income out of it. There are tons of online courses which help you fast track the above process for you. Enrol in one, work hard to implement your knowledge and know that the remote work lifestyle really is possible!” – @i_am_roota

 

freelancer


Cassy Martinez: Entrepreneur & Freelancer

“As a digital freelancer and entrepreneur, I work on projects from anywhere in the world with good wifi. When I’m on the road, one of my favorite things to do in is Google “Best wifi cafes in _____.” Each day, I pack up my backpack, hit up a local cafe and bang out a couple hours of quality work, rewarding myself with a taste of the city afterward. Exploring each new destination and switching up work environments keeps me stimulated and inspired to bring forth my best work and tackle projects that I had put on hold previously.” – @cassyymartinez, @weareladylab & weareladylab.com

These ladies tips will help you find your balance, and enjoy your work and travel lifestyle. Be sure to let them know on Instagram if you use any of their tips!


Thinking about taking the leap to work and travel? Use the above tips and stay productive using Behere! Get started below.

 

Why We Need Work Cultures That Make Room for Travel

This is Why we Need to Adopt a Work Culture that Includes Travel

While the travel industry is booming and employs millions of people around the globe, we’re on a different track in the U.S. According to Project Time Off, there were 705 million unused vacation days reported in 2018 in the United States. Ahem, we’re going to repeat that … 705 MILLION!

On a more positive note, the outlook doesn’t look as grim for future years, but there’s still a long way to go. Companies are beginning to recognize the value in encouraging their employees to take their time off. They are also implementing mindfulness, play and other practices into the work culture. Science shows that travel has been proven to increase creativity and productivity, reduce stress, decrease sick days and improve overall well-being. What boss doesn’t want that?!

Science says we should travel

There is a renowned 1992 study that still upholds today called, The Framingham Heart Study. After tracking workers for twenty years the results concluded that men were 30% more likely, and women 50% more likely, to have a heart attack if they hadn’t taken a vacation. The results held even when they added in other risk factors such as cigarette-smoking, diabetes, income levels and obesity. Travel is a major stress-reducer, according to a study completed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and many others just like it with the same findings.

Don’t get overwhelmed planning, use the tools available

Vacations are so much more than beautiful photos posted on Instagram. That’s why we created Wild Bum – as a tool that encourages people to travel, with real, trustworthy information. We know that after you’ve decided to use your vacations days, the first step is choosing a destination. This means doing the research to make it a meaningful trip. But, this is where people get stuck and overwhelmed by the piece-meal tools that exist. After one page of a Google Search, they throw their hands in the air, declare they will do it later and … poof! There went the remaining part of the year and your vacation days along with it!

It’s proven, life is better after a vacation

Another interesting finding by the University of Massachusetts Amherst study noted above: results indicated that life satisfaction after a vacation is positively influenced by perceived control, psychological detachment from work, relaxation experience, and mastery experience during vacation.

Having well curated resources, created by real, traveling humans provides that perceived control and real experiences. Just like mindfulness, yoga and that client presentation — vacationing is a practice. So use the tools available to make it that much easier, and exciting!

Written by Mollie Krengler, Founder of WildBum.


Ready to take your vacation days and feel more inspired, creative and productive? Get started below!

Here’s How to Beat Jet Lag and Get Back to Work

One of the greatest joys of remote working is being able to jet-off to a sun-kissed paradise when you feel like it. You just need a laptop, phone, and internet connection. Whether you’re in the middle of NYC, or lounging on a tropical island (hello trip to Bali!) as long as you have those, you’re good to go.

But all that jet-setting can take its toll. If you’ve swapped the daily grind for a globetrotting lifestyle, then jet lag can take hours, even days, out of your schedule. This can leave you drained, fatigued, and behind on important deadlines. Luckily, there are a few ways you can combat jet lag and get back to work quickly.

1. Fly During the Day

If you fly at night then you’ll be more prone to falling asleep. If you’re crossing time zones, by the time you land and wake up, it could be time to fall asleep again. Whenever possible, fly during the early morning hours, stay awake during the flight, and try to adapt to your destination’s local time.

2. Avoid the Booze

A quick drink before the flight might seem like a great way to start your holiday and get you into the spirit. However, if it’s a working holiday and you want to keep the jet lag to a minimum, save the drink for later. Alcohol consumed at altitude can have a stronger effect on you, leaving you dehydrated and tired. It can also really bump up those effects when the jet lag eventually kicks in.

The same goes for sleeping tablets and sedatives in general. It may sound like a great way to shorten the flight, but it will only leave you tired and brain fogged for the first couple of days of your holiday. You may also want to avoid consuming too much coffee. If you’re a caffeine addict, drink in moderation and save your biggest dose until the plane lands – assuming it doesn’t land during the night.

3. Fly Smart

Some planes are better than others at helping you to beat jet lag. The A350, for instance, comes equipped with advanced humidification and air purification systems. Plus, it has lighting systems that simulate natural light regardless of the hour.
The same applies to a handful of other long-haul planes, but the plane isn’t the only way you can keep natural cycles. You can also try to stay within the same or similar timezones. If you have any pressing deadlines, make sure you’ll have a chance to work on these while on the plane. That way you can spend more time acclimatizing and less time working when you land.

4. Break-up the Flight

If you’ve always dreamed of flying to Australia, Japan or China, think about breaking the flight up with multiple stop-overs. Not only will you reduce jet lag, but you’ll be able to fly for less and see more. You’ll be able to visit a host of beautiful countries on the way. Give yourself a few days at each to truly explore all there is to see. This will also ensure your body has adapted before the next stop.

5. Eat Well and Move

Avoiding DVT on a flight is essential, especially if you’re already a greater risk. This is also true if you’re flying long distances or if you fly a lot. The things that help you to avoid this potentially fatal issue also help stimulate blood flow and keep jet lag at bay when you land. If you spend the entire flight sitting still, you’re going to be stiff and fatigued by the time you land. However, if
you get up to move (or be as active as you can be on a plane) it’ll be like any other day and you’ll be ready to go. You also need to eat well and avoid processed foods, as they’re loaded with refined sugars that cause your blood sugar to crash. Make sure you’re eating plenty of protein and complex carbs to keep those energy levels up.

Conclusion: It Can be Done

Jet lag is a real issue and it’s not something that will go away entirely, especially during long- haul flights. But if you follow these tips, you can keep it to a minimum and ensure it doesn’t impact your work.

Now that you’re ready to beat the jet-lag, book your next trip with Behere below!


Written by Nicky Sarandrea; a freelance writer who has written on dozens of subjects and published thousands of articles. He is a large advocate for the remote working and co-working industries and works out of the Cross Campus Pasadena office.

Meet the Woman Making Travel Snacks Healthy + Sustainable

At Behere, we travel often and are always looking for healthy, delicious travel snacks (not an easy feat!). So we were super excited to connect with a female founder making just that – and snacks that are good for the planet! We caught up with Courtney Boyd Myers (CBM), founder of AKUA, to learn more about her healthy travel snacks and how they’re helping the planet.

Courtney’s initial idea for Kelp Jerky (we love that it’s travel-related!) 

As an avid traveler, CBM splits her time between NYC, Lisbon and Cape Town, plus trips in between. It’s not surprising then that her Kelp Jerky idea came from the desire for a healthy, fast and sustainable, snack for travel. While rushing to catch a plane, she tried to find a healthy, protein-rich snack and came up short. Thus, the idea for AKUA came to life.

After 2 years of hands-on R&D, Kelp Jerky was launched with a Kickstarter campaign. Using her background in writing and marketing, CBM shared the story behind AKUA helping them surpass their Kickstarter goal.

Seaweed that tastes good, we need to know more…

Kelp Jerky, is a high-protein, high-fiber snack that’s free of refined sugars, soy, gluten, and major allergens. So far, it comes in three flavors (Spicy Thai & Spirulina, Rosemary & Maple BBQ, and Sesame & Nori Sea Salt) and even Richard Branson has said, “it’s delicious”. 

Plus, these healthy snacks are made from ocean-farmed kelp – one of the most sustainable food sources on the planet. As big supporters of environmentally friendly companies, we love the difference CBM is making with AKUA. 

Her goal with AKUA is to become a household name for sustainable, seagreens-based foods. We think she’s off to a good start.

Passion for food and the oceans

When she’s not busy working on sustainable seagreens, she’s also an adviser to GreenWave, a nonprofit that supports the regenerative ocean farming industry, a partner at Unframed IceCream, and a Director at Summit. Needless to say, CBM is a busy woman, making a great impact on our oceans, and tastebuds.


Connect with CBM on Instagram. And if you want to get your hands on her tasty Kelp Jerky for your next travels, AKUA has offered a 15% off discount for our community using code BEHERE

Snagged some healthy snacks and ready for your next trip? Get started planning it with Behere below!

6 Simple Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Workout

Expert-backed tips to get the most out of your workout.

Guest Post from Thrive Global By Elizabeth Yuko

Whether you’re a person who can’t wait for their next trip to the gym or 5K run, or someone who is still working to make working out a priority, we all want to make sure that every minute we spend exercising counts.

It’s also important to recognize that not everyone wants the same thing out of a workout session. While some are looking to improve their health, others may want to build their strength or endurance to get better at a sport, while others turn to exercise or other gentler forms of movement (like yoga or tai chi) for stress relief.

We should also remember that pain is not always gain. “Yes there may be some level of difficulty as you build up your stamina and strength, but pain is never a good thing, and you can get fit without pushing yourself to the point of hurting,” Bert Mandelbaum, M.D., a sports medicine specialist and co-chair of medical affairs at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles and author of The Win Within: Capturing Your Victorious Spirit, tells Thrive Global.

It’s up to you to determine your priority, but regardless of what it is, you should be getting the most out of your workout. Here are some tips from experts on how to do exactly that:

Have a consistent workout plan…

One way to maximize the benefits of your workout is to stick to a consistent plan. Rather than cramming a week’s worth of exercising into the weekend, Mandelbaum recommends trying to regularly schedule 30 minutes of movement each day. The half-hour doesn’t even need to be all at the same time: you can try breaking it up into two 15-minute segments, he says. And yes, out-of-the-gym activities like walking the dog, raking leaves, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator all count as exercise.

… But vary the exercises

So yes, you’re going to want to stick with a consistent workout schedule, but it’s a good idea to change up the exercises you’re doing, Mandelbaum explains. Not only does this keep things more interesting, but repetitive motion over time can really wear down and stress the muscles and joints, and make them more prone to injury, he says. To avoid this, instead of doing the same exercise three or four days in a row, Mandelbaum suggests switching it up and alternating with something different for one or two of the days to engage different sets of muscles.

Try an exercise ball

Chances are you already have one of those big exercise balls (also called Swiss balls) in a closet at home or sitting somewhere in your office — now is the time to put it to use. For starters, it’s a great addition to your regular workout, allowing you to stretch and move your spine in a controlled manner, Neel Anand, M.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles, tells ThriveYou can use the exercise ball for everything from crunches, squats, planking, and other forms of stretching, according to the Mayo Clinic (here’s some inspiration and visuals to get you started).

“Moving the vertebrae in this way can help nourish discs in the spine by increasing blood flow and lubrication to them,” she says. “Additionally, using an exercise ball in conjunction with core strengthening exercises will work the abdominal muscles and help to stabilize the spine.” They are also great for “active sitting,” engaging muscles while you’re working at a desk or watching TV.

Don’t forget about recovery

Your exercise session isn’t over when you step off the treadmill — cooling down and having a recovery period is also an important part of maximizing your workout. Stretching after a cooldown will loosen any tight muscles and increase flexibility, which will help for the next workout, Mandelbaum explains. You may also want to try using a foam roller after exercising, John Soberal, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy at Providence Saint John’s Health Center’s Performance Therapy in Santa Monica, CA, tells Thrive. He explains that it may help to “iron out” fascia — the connective tissue that envelops muscles that tend to cause mobility restrictions.

Plan meals around your workout

We’re not suggesting reorganizing your whole life around going to the gym, but some thoughtful meal planning can help ensure your workout is as effective as possible. For example, if you plan to exercise in the morning, don’t eat dinner too close to when you’re going to bed, Hannah Dove, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy at Providence Saint John’s Health Center’s Performance Therapy in Santa Monica, CA, tells Thrive. “Eating an extremely late dinner will make it harder for your body to digest on time and then you might feel sluggish when you wake up in the morning,” she says.

But, do take the time to prepare or set out your breakfast for the next morning, Dove recommends. That way you won’t waste time or energy deciding what to make. Then, the next morning, wake up and eat a light breakfast — like a banana and some peanut butter, or a hard-boiled egg and toast — to help give your body good fuel to use during the workout.  “In order to perform well, your body needs the right fuel at the right times, so make it easier on your body instead of working against it,” she adds.

Use your unplugged time to plan your workout

At Thrive, we’re big proponents of unplugging from devices to ease your body into sleep mode— ideally at least 30 minutes before bed. Dove suggests extending that to one or two hours, if possible, and using that time without electronics to plan your workout for the next day. “Picking what exercises and the order the night before will take all the guesswork and stress out of it the next day,” she notes. “Set your plan the night before, and then all you have to worry about the next day is executing your plan.” Your plan doesn’t have to be complicated: it can be as simple as queueing up your favorite exercise video or audio workout, deciding whether to take a class at the gym or go straight to the elliptical, or taking the time to visualize yourself going through the moves and getting in a great, productive workout.

And while you’re unplugged from your devices in the evening, Dove also recommends taking the time to write out your goals for the following day. These can be specific to your workout, or general health and fitness goals with ideas of how you plan on achieving them. “You are much more likely to succeed if you hold yourself accountable by writing down your intentions and plans,” she explains.


At Behere, we know it’s essential to maintain your routine – including exercise – wherever you are in the world. That’s why choosing a fitness studio, along with apartment and workspace, is key to your time spent in a new city. Learn more and get started below!

Originally posted on Thrive Global. Written by Elizabeth Yuko, Staff Writer/Editor at Thrive Global.

Eco Friendly, Sustainable Travel Tips: Reducing Your Impact

April is Earth Month and our team has been discussing sustainable travel and ways to reduce our environmental impact. Being a distributed team, our work is all done online, so we save thousands of trees each year by not printing or buying office supplies. Further, we encourage, and share, eco friendly tips and behaviours with the team, such as cutting out single-use plastic and using reusable coffee cups and water bottles.

Still, our team travels often and knows air travel emits a large amount of carbon dioxide (currently 2% of carbon dioxide emissions globally). This is why we focus on ways to reduce our overall carbon footprint, while still being able to experience new places.

So as Earth Month comes to an end, we wanted to share some of the thing we discussed to help make travel more sustainable, year round.

Here’s our tips for sustainable travel

 

1. Stay in apartments vs hotels

Hotels are most often not an eco-friendly option. From single-use plastic toiletries filling the bathroom, to the daily cleaning of the sheets, towels, etc.. Plus the coffee, tea, mini bar restocks and plastic straws galore – you get the picture. Staying in local apartments eliminates these excess single-use and one off items. It gives you the opportunity to cook, instead of living off take out, do your laundry when the sheets and towels are actually dirty, and eliminate the endlessly replaced travel-sized plastic madness in the bathroom. It also gives you a much more local feel, like you’re actually living in and experiencing the city vs being a tourist.

2. Slow down

When planning a trip somewhere new, we’re often inclined to fit in as many cities as possible. While that might seem great for your bucketlist, it’s not great for your energy levels – or the environment. By staying in one place longer, you’re reducing the number of flights, trains, cars etc. that you’re taking, and will actually get to enjoy a place. Further, you’ll have a more local experience, meet new people, and not burn yourself out from all the travel. We recommend a month or more in each city, to really get a feel for it. Taking direct flights to your destination is another good way to reduce your carbon footprint.

3. Do as the locals do

When traveling, sometimes your first instinct is to grab a tourist map, find the closest cup of coffee to-go and hit the town. However, if you take a minute to find a local place, then sit down for a coffee and snack, and watch the daily life. Ask locals for recommendations, skip the tourist buses and really get a feel for the city – at Behere we connect you with a local host so you get all their amazing tips!

sustainable travel4. Bring your reusables

We’ve all seen it – people dumping full plastic water bottles at airport security, then buying another for twice the price on the other side. Luckily for you, if you bring your empty reusable bottle through, you can refill it on once in the terminal, saving money and the environment. Plus, you’ll have the bottle for the rest of your travels. If you want to bring travel sized products, find some eco friendly sized products here.  And don’t forget the reusable shopping bag! They fold up small, can be used to store loose items in your suitcase, and come in handy for market trips.

5. Shop local

Use the aforementioned reusable bag for good and hit the market! Opt to skip the grocery store, instead shopping at the local markets for fruit, veg, eggs, cheese, bread etc. In Europe, it’s easy to find cheap, fresh produce and delicious freshly baked bread that aren’t wrapped in plastic. Bonus – it’s better for you to shop at the markets as the food is fresher and healthier!

6. Pack and shop smart

It’s easy to overpack, throwing way more things than needed in our suitcases. This means you wind up with a heavier bag, and every kilo counts when flying. That and all the unworn clothes will still get tossed in the laundry and it creates an unnecessary amount of lugging your things around. If you want to do some shopping on your travels too, plan in advance as most souvenirs end up in the garbage. So pack smart and shop smart. Bring what you need, think of what you want to buy before – and don’t buy it if you don’t need it!

7. Plastic-free picnics and no takeaway

When you need a pick me up while traveling, opt to dine-in instead of taking it go and always say “no” to plastic straws. If you can, bring your own cutlery, and cup or for picnics cook at home and pack food in reusable jars and containers.

8. Plant trees or donate to environmental initiatives

Doing all these things are great, but in order to really offset your carbon footprint from traveling look to give back to the environment. I grew up watching and helping my father and grandfather plant trees and gardens, and it’s something I continue to prioritize. Whether you take time to plant a tree, or donate to organizations that help the oceans or our planet, find a way to give back to this beautiful planet.

These are just some of the ways you can travel more sustainably. We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips, let us know in the comments. At Behere, we’re committed to helping you travel in a way that is conscious and respectful of local cultures, people, economies and the environment. And if you’re ready to plan your next trip, in a more sustainable way, get started below!


meesen brownWritten by Meesen Brown, CEO of Behere.
Meesen is the cofounder and CEO of Behere. She’s an avid traveler, speaker, dual citizen, healthy snack lover and is always looking for ways to reduce her carbon footprint. She spends most her time in New York, Barcelona or Toronto.

Traveling for Work? Here’s How to Stay Healthy & Productive

If you’ve taken one of the 465 million business trips in the US last year, you’re probably familiar with the hassles that come with traveling for work. The headaches of being in a new city and having to familiarize yourself with and figure everything out.

You may have experienced a lot of wasted time, delays, searching for a place to stay, dealing with unreliable wifi and uncomfortable or unsatisfactory accommodation. You might’ve skipped the hotel gym or craved a home cooked meal after a couple days. All these things, lead to a loss of routine – the lack of; home comforts, reliable work areas and exercise. That loss of routine can end up costing more than just your time. It can cost your company and team, a lot of time and money.

You see, when you lose your routine it throws you out of whack. Couple that with being in a subpar hotel room, eating out every meal and letting your activity levels slip, and you can fall into a funk for days, even weeks, after you return home.

Here’s what will help you stay sane and productive while traveling for work:

A comfortable apartment.

When traveling you need a place to feel at home, take a hot shower after a long day, and make breakfast without having to put on pants. Having a space to work on your laptop at home is also a necessity. Forget hotel rooms that make you feel like a tourist or stuffy corporate traveler. Relaxing in a comfortable, private space that feels like home does wonders for your morale while traveling.

A designated space for work & meetings.

You need a place to take calls, work on presentations and prep for meetings while traveling. It’s best this is a designated space to go to plug in and do what you’re there for – work. Hotel lobby’s and cafes have unreliable wifi and get loud and distracting. When you use a coworking or office space, you can get online and into your work, fast. Plus, they have call and meeting rooms so you can be distraction free and present for your important meetings.

Prioritize your health and fitness.

Whether you prefer to squeeze in a 15 minute HIIT workout, knock out some stress in a boxing class, or decompress in an hour of yoga, having somewhere to move while traveling is essential. Prioritizing your health and wellness, lead to a happier, more focused and more productive you. Booking fitness classes ahead of time area a proven way to commit to your exercise goals while traveling. By booking ahead you’ve already committed, so even if you don’t feel like working out, you know you’ll be thanking yourself after.

Gain some knowledge on the city before you go.

Don’t waste your time spending hours searching for neighborhoods, city info, restaurants etc while there or taking the touristy suggestions. Getting information on the city, as well as local recommendations before you go, mean you can spend more time enjoying and less time being unsatisfied. Having recommendations and helpful info curated by locals, also mean you can skip the touristy areas and opt for some seriously delicious – and lower priced – restaurants. Plus, knowing the currency, cultural information, if there’s Uber there or which cabs to take, and which neighborhoods to stay in, come in super handy before arriving.

Stay connected to your team.

Staying connected to your team while traveling is incredibly important. Being in a different city or time zone can pose as a challenge, however if you’re prepared it shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re looking for the best tools to stay connected while working remotely, we shared them here.

All these should help make your business travels significantly better. While the airport line ups and travel time can’t be reduced, these four things will save you a lot of time – and headaches – ensuring you’re putting your best foot forward for your work trip. Plus, with staying healthy and booking in advance, you might just have time to see some neat places in that city! At Behere, we know how important these are, which is why we take care of all of them, in one easy to use booking platform. The best part, it’s free to use and your travel manager can also sign up and monitor your trips.

Ready to book your next business trip? Head to Behere or choose your city below. Want to share with your travel manager, send them this link. If you don’t see the city you’re traveling to next, send us an email [email protected].


meesen brownWritten by Meesen Brown, CEO of Behere.
Meesen is the cofounder and CEO of Behere. She’s an avid traveler, speaker, dual citizen, healthy snack lover and is always looking for ways to reduce her carbon footprint. She spends most her time in New York, Barcelona or Toronto.