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WE ASK: Chris Koh
Travel burnout is real, especially when travelling becomes mandatory. In this article, we ask frequent business traveller Chris Koh, a Workplace Manager with an MNC based in Singapore, her revelations and learnings from her travels and how she deftly combines work with leisure while avoiding travel burnout.
Chris Koh’s work sees her traversing the globe, often travelling back-to-back in different time zones. Out of work, she also prioritises travel with her loved ones. A savvy traveller with no qualms about solo travelling, she shares her top tips on circumventing cultural differences, jetlag, and travel burnout.
Why do you travel?
I travel to learn, to make myself a better person. I always come back with new energy and new ideas which is crucial to my role. Now, I travel to relax.
Long flights and layovers can be tough. What are your hacks to staying comfortable and productive during long-haul flights?
Sleeping pills. I make sure to switch to the destination’s time zone the moment I step onto the plane. I will usually take showers during layovers.
How do you efficiently manage your time between work commitments and personal exploration during work travels?
Work first, play later has always been my motto. Should I wish to explore after a work trip, I will make sure I take a few days off. Going out after work on a weekday is not an option for me, even in Japan, which I’m most familiar with. I mostly end up in the hotel or bookshops.
Health and well-being on the road
Jetlag can be a challenge when constantly crossing time zones. How do you adjust quickly and stay energised when moving between continents?
I ‘drown’ myself with water once I am onboard. I always travel with vitamin C, curcumin powder, manuka honey and Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa cough syrup.
I make sure my throat is well-moisturised by taking Pei Pa Koa in the morning. Also, by the time I leave the hotel room, I will have already drank 1.5 litres of water.
Frequent work travel can take a toll on your energy. Do you ever experience travel burnout?
I rarely experience travel burnout. I prevent this by living the way I would live at home even when I’m holidaying. Think about this: Will you be walking 12 hours a day if you are home?
Packing and travelling smart: Practical tips
What are your top must-have items for travels?
Medicines, vitamins, and books. I only pack the basics nowadays: 4 tops, 3 bottoms and 1 dress is enough to last me for two weeks. I accessorise to change up my look.
From staying organised to booking last-minute flights, any recommendations?
Book direct with hotels and airlines. Only by doing so will you get the help you need should an emergency occur. Third-party providers rarely rise up to the occasion.
What are your top 3 travel tips?
Travel tip 1: Book direct with hotels and airlines. Travel tip 2: Stay loyal to hotels and airlines. Travel tip 3: Engage a guide in places you are unfamiliar with.
Any tips for solo female travellers?
Depending on where you go, always pretend there is another person living with you. Avoid airbnbs. Always make a booking for two persons.
What’s your secret to being so cheerful and upbeat? Do you have any useful strategies for handling travel fatigue, especially when it comes to back-to-back trips? How do you recharge between trips?
I am by nature cheerful and upbeat, haha! Life is too short to be negative. I always maintain the same routine I have at home. I don’t go out on weekdays. Even during business trips, I don’t do dinners on weekdays. Thankfully, I am not in sales, so after-work entertainment is not necessary. I meet business partners/colleagues during lunch.
The time alone after work back in the hotel is for recharging. I love it. I will take a good bath, read, listen to music, study my Japanese language or just drink a cup of tea. Oh, I travel with a tea set now. My latest obsession is Chinese tea because it brings great respite after a long day at work.
Navigating practical challenges
How do you stay adaptable in foreign countries and when meeting new work colleagues in unfamiliar cultural environments? Any advice?
With smartphones and countless translation apps available, I no longer see language as a barrier. The smartphone invention has made a lot of impossible things possible in travel. I stay adaptable by embracing local customs and keeping an open mind about different ways of life.
I eat Nasi Bryani with my hands with my Bangalore team. I say itatakimasu in Japan before I begin my meals. I eat hummus when in Tel Aviv (even though I don’t take it at home). These efforts have brought me closer to my new colleagues overseas, allowing me to connect with them on a personal level and navigate diverse work environments with ease.
You appear to enjoy the demands of your job, which brings you places but also pulls you away from your loved ones and important family engagements. Is there anything we do not see through your social media highlight reel that you would like to share?
Behind the social media highlights, there are moments of longing and the occasional guilt of missing family events (small ones, but still!). I make it a point to not travel during the Chinese New Year period or weddings of family members. I cherish the connections I have, and I make it a point to stay in touch through calls and messages. I try to plan quality time with my family whenever I can, because these moments are what truly matter.
I’m a creature of habit who finds joy in the simple routines of life. My two passions reading and travelling feed on my immense curiosity which provide infinite ideas for self-improvement and enhancing my work. I also love the aspect of discovering new cultures and perspectives during travels.
Travel philosophy and purpose
With so much travel under your belt, what drives you to keep exploring the world even in your free time? Has it evolved over the years? Do you think you will ever say, “Enough travels!”?
Yes, no more long flights except for work. It is only Southeast Asia for me now, which is also my top 3 favourite countries which are namely Japan, China, Thailand.
Has travel redefined what home means to you? How has it evolved over the years?
Absolutely, travel has redefined what home means to me. Initially, I viewed home as a physical place. Over time, I have come to see it as a feeling of belonging and connection. Each destination adds layers to my understanding of home, making me appreciate the people and experiences that make it special, regardless of where I am.
Meaningful travel experiences
Which places or moments in your travels left a lasting or life-changing emotional impact?
Two very sad moments stand out:
The first happened in Jerusalem Old City. I was waiting for a friend outside the Aedicule of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Tomb of Christ. As I crossed my leg, a guy in black dashed over and shouted at me to put down my leg.
He screamed a lot of words I didn’t understand. I felt very embarrassed by my behaviour but I really didn’t know it was taboo to do so in front of the Tomb of Christ. From then on, I make sure to read about every holy place I am visiting.
The second was when I flew to Frankfurt for the Christmas markets after my work trip in Boston. I had read that Germany’s Christmas markets are the world’s most beautiful. The plan was to take the train out daily to visit Christmas markets in different cities.
It was super cold, and it rained every day. I missed home so much that by day 2, I wanted to cut short my 5-day trip. However, I had prepaid for my hotel and the air ticket. I called Singapore Airlines and also spoke with Marriott. I told them I really NEEDED to get home. They accepted my request without any penalty and even refunded me. I was out and on a flight home on day 3 and I couldn’t be happier. That feeling was unforgettable. When it’s cold and raining, it’s just miserable. 🙁
2 places left indelible memories on me:
Auschwitz in Poland: Visiting Auschwitz left a profound impression. It serves as a haunting reminder of humanity’s capacity for both cruelty and resilience.
9/11 Museum, United States: The 9/11 Museum in New York City left me reflecting on the resilience of humanity in the face of tragedy. Standing in the space where so much loss occurred, I was struck by the stories of heroism and community that emerged from the aftermath. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and unity.
Yes, dark history is my thing.
Do you have one favourite place on earth? Why? Would you consider living there permanently?
My all-time favourite is still Japan. That’s why I have been learning the Japanese language for years. The kindness of the people and their attention to detail in everything from cuisine to craftsmanship create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
No, I will not live anywhere else other than Singapore because this is where home is.
How do you maintain a sense of wonder when travel becomes routine, especially for work?
I focus on finding the beauty in everyday moments, trying new foods, engaging with locals, and exploring off-the-beaten paths. I also keep a travel journal to capture my experiences and reflections, reminding me of the joy and excitement that travel brings, no matter how routine it may become.
Coping with loneliness and personal sacrifice
In moments of exhaustion or doubt, do you ever question whether the benefits of constant travel outweigh the sacrifices?
This has never crossed my mind. I mean, I am flying for free and eating free food plus staying in a nice hotel. And I have a job that pays. My exhaustion or doubt doesn’t come from travel.
Life lessons from travel
Are there life lessons you’ve learned being on the road so frequently and being exposed to so many different cultures?
Embrace flexibility: Adapting to new situations has made me more open-minded and resilient.
Live in the moment: Travelling has taught me to savour experiences and appreciate the present, rather than getting caught up in what’s next.
How has travel shaped you? Has it altered your perspectives on life?
The constant travels actually made me braver. By embracing unfamiliar situations, I have developed the courage to navigate through them and the willingness to face the unknown.
If you could write a letter to your younger self, just as you began your travel journey, what advice would you give her?
Save to travel!
What advice would you give to those who are looking for careers with frequent travel requirements?
Prioritise self-care: Constant travelling can be exhausting. You don’t have to say yes to every after-office-hour drink.
Stay organised: Keep track of your travel schedules, itineraries, and important documents to minimise stress. Keep at least one multi-adapter in your carry-on.
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