As increased security makes foreign travel even more tiring there's never been a better time to de-stress your business travel routine. If you've got a trip looming think carefully about how you can take the sting out of leaving the office.

Give colleagues plenty of notice of what they need to do while you're away. Copy your itinerary and mark important meetings when you must not be disturbed. Finish tasks well before your final day.

Scan and email vital documents, such as your passport and driver's licence, and email them to yourself. A close family friend or partner should also have a copy and know your itinerary. Carry an "ID card" with your age, blood type, important medical details, hotel and contact details of family and employer in the local language. Take details of important contacts who could help in an emergency.

Ideally, carry only hand luggage so that you don't have to hang around baggage reclaim. Whatever you carry make sure you don't strain your back and neck. One business traveller keeps all his metal objects in his jacket pockets so that he can put it on the X-ray conveyer rather than empty his trouser pockets.

Use a big wallet that will hold passport, tickets, receipts and a pen or pencil. Mark up receipts immediately so that you know what they refer to and do your expenses on the way home.

Trains, planes and automobiles

• Rail: Eurostar is highly efficient and fast and you don't have to check in early. Most European railways are cleaner and quicker than in the UK.
• Car: Look out for country parks or historical landmarks where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a better meal than at a roadside greasy spoon. If you're visiting a client find out in advance where you can park and allow plenty of time to get there. Pre-book car parking at airports - it's cheaper and less stressful. Remember to take the credit card you booked with and check how far the car park is from the terminal.
• Planes: Book a seat near the front so that you can get off first and take printed details of your seat in case the online booking system crashes. If you're a regular flyer make a note of the best seats on different airlines. Take an inflatable cushion, earplugs and eye shades to help you sleep and special socks to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis on long-haul flights. Save time by using the toilets when you're waiting for your luggage, rather than losing your place in the queue for passport control.