Business travel is often a necessary evil. Those first few business trips can be fun and exhilarating. After all, they’re often full of new and exciting destinations, room service and hey, you’re not in the office! But by your 20^th or so sales call-and after numerous flight delays and missed connections-it can be hard to see the appeal of business travel at all. But as I sit here at the airport about to embark on a weeklong trip for a work event, I’ve decided to look on the bright side and remember everything I love about business travel. After all, if you spend as much time on the road as I do, you’ll know that making the most of your business trips is the only way to go.

A Break from the Norm

Business travel gets you out of your regular routine, which can be good in many ways. You may be like me and have your daily schedule down pat-coffee at 7 a.m., check that favorite website at 10 a.m., and an afternoon snack at 3 p.m. on the dot-but business travel messes with all of those set schedules. It can force creatures of habit to branch out, try new things and see that a little chaos can actually be fun.

Getting out of your set routine while on the road will force you to shake things up-which is great for banishing boredom from both your mind and your body. If you’ve exercised for long, you know that as you get stronger, it takes more and more to challenge your muscles. What made you sore during your first workout doesn’t even take an effort these days. As you gain strength, your body adapts, which means that you must challenge your muscles in new and different ways to keep seeing benefits. Hitting the road for business will get you out of your workout rut. If you usually walk, try the elliptical or bike available at most Embassy Suites fitness centers. If you run, head out for some local hills or the stairwell at your hotel and do interval training by alternating running and walking. If you take the same yoga class, find a new, challenging one in your destination city to give your muscles a wake-up call. (The Embassy Suites concierge can help you find one.) Chances are, a break from routine will have you reinvigorated when you return home and remind you about the importance of new challenges, both on the road and at home.

Hotel Services

Who am I kidding? One of my favorite aspects of business travel is actually staying in a hotel. I remember being so excited as a kid to see what each hotel room would look like. It didn’t matter that they were always basically the same; I loved seeing the differences, and to me, hotel equaled vacation. While business travel is less about amusement parks and more about meetings and commitments, I still get flashes of that relaxed feeling I used to get as a kid when stepping into a hotel room.

One of the perks of staying at a hotel on business-besides room service, which is always nice-is the service aspect. At home there is no maid-heck, most of us are maid, cook and maintenance man-but when I’m at a hotel, I can sit back and relax. I don’t have to worry about laundry, the bed gets made, and the trash is taken out-and I never even see it happen. Beyond having the clean room, though, is the freedom maid service buys you. Because you’re not doing the dishes and worrying about cleaning up, you’re free to have some time for yourself, which, for me, includes an in-room workout or yoga session after a long day of meetings. When you don’t have the demands of chores and family, there really is no excuse for not exercising for at least 30 minutes.

Eating Out

I love to eat out at new restaurants. But for most people, schedule demands and money constraints require cooking at home and having that same old pot of chili once a week. Traveling for business is a great way to get out of your culinary comfort zone and to relax for your meals. Be careful though, because it can be so easy to overeat at restaurants. Portion size is often double what you actually need. Cut your portion in half when it arrives, and ask for a doggie bag so you’re not tempted. Embassy Suites has a handy mini fridge and a microwave that you can use to heat up leftovers for lunch or for your dinner the next night.

Because you’re trying new foods, it can be tempting to go overboard. But I find that when I’m eating out of town, I’m more likely to eat healthier. I go for salads more often than not, or I order a seafood dish I might not try at home. You’re already expanding your horizons with the restaurant; why not try to eat healthier while you’re at it?

A New View

Going on a run in your neighborhood can get old. You know every nook, cranny, pothole and barking dog. But going out of town on business can be great for spicing up your run. Central Park is a beautiful destination for a run in New York City. San Francisco has breathtaking views-and challenging hills. Los Angeles will, most likely, have good weather whenever you visit. Chicago has beautiful lakefront spots for jogging (just watch for those winters). No matter where you go, get online beforehand to find out what the destination offers. There is always an attraction and something to see, even in the smallest town. And even if your destination is Nowheresville, USA, at least it will offer you a greater appreciation for home.

Still Waiting

I used to hate waiting for flights. Even the nicest and most amenity-filled airports have a way of making you feel stuck. Then, once you’re on the plane, you’re waiting to take off, waiting to land. But since I’ve gotten busier and life has gotten increasingly hectic, I relish time at the airport and on the airplane. With few distractions-no laundry, no cooking, no work-I’m able to carve out additional time for myself. I have time to catch up on whatever I want. Sometimes it’s email, but oftentimes it’s grabbing that book I haven’t had time to crack open yet. Sometimes it’s just enjoying a coffee at the airport. Sometimes it’s catching a nap on the plane. These days you can even get spa services and massages at some airports.

We focus so much on physical fitness that sometimes we don’t think about mental health and fitness. Time without stimulation is so important, and we often don’t realize that until we’re over-stimulated, stressed out and at our wit’s end. So next time you’re forced to wait, make it into a positive. How many other times are you somewhere that you’re forced to turn off all electronic devices and just be?

Seeing People

I take a couple of business trips every year that land me near family. If you have an old friend in your business destination, look them up. It can be such a great stress-reliever to see family and friends while on a business trip. After a long day of making new contacts, it’s great to see people whom you don’t have to be your business self with and whose company is relaxing and enjoyable. Heck, you can even go for a walk together to catch up and get exercise. Plus, you might get a home-cooked meal and often get the behind-the-scenes scoop on local hotspots and cool places to visit.

So next time you take that dreaded business trip, try to look on the bright side. You’ll be back at home soon enough. What are your favorite business-travel perks?