Bleisure Boom in the US: Mixing Work with Exploration
Bleisure is typically tied to specific work events. Combining work and travel can be challenging for some. However, I’ve seen some patterns that can improve it. Here’s how.
Highlights
Bleisure lets you enjoy leisure activities during work trips for a better work-life balance.
Taking time to relax during business trips can reduce stress and increase productivity.
Freelancers already mix work and travel, but bleisure still offers structure for work-related trips.
Bleisure, a blend of 'business' and 'leisure' travel, has been reshaping the landscape of business travel for some time now. It offers employees (or contractors) a unique opportunity to extend their work trips with leisure activities such as sightseeing, city exploration, or local tourism.
The term "bleisure" originated from the consulting firm Future Laboratory. The company recognized its potential for improving work-life balance, boosting productivity, and helping employees enjoy every bit of their work trips. With the rise of remote work and hybrid environments, bleisure has gained another wave of popularity, with 80% of business travelers in the US adopting this trend in 2024.
This surge undoubtedly reflects a growing desire among professionals, primarily millennials and Gen Z, to optimize their time away from home, combining work responsibilities with personal time.
So, how does it work in practice?
It's a great question and one I've asked myself as well. Let me clarify the terms for you. By definition, bleisure involves adding a short vacation to a work trip or conference. For those working for an organization, as an employee or a contractor, it's a great opportunity to spice up their work life and discover something else, like a different city, country, or culture.
In fact, I’ve also experienced bleisure myself. Early in my career, I attended a conference from Thursday to Friday while working for a corporation (yes, I was also there). Instead of returning to Prague, I stayed two extra days to explore the city. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Why? Well, I discovered a place I probably wouldn’t have visited just for a vacation. I strolled through local markets, tried national dishes, and did touristic sightseeing.
This experience truly opened my eyes to the benefits of bleisure. I returned to work feeling refreshed, inspired, and surprisingly more productive. It's no wonder studies show that this approach can reduce stress, increase job satisfaction, and boost productivity.
But what about bleisure and us freelancers?
Well, it's a bit different. Many of us are already living the digital nomad life, blending work and travel as we please. In my experience, the lines between work and leisure often need to be clearer for freelancers. We're the ones you might spot working from a café or taking client calls from a beach resort.
That said, the concept of bleisure can still apply to freelancers, just to a lesser degree, and when we speak about work-related journeys. At some point, you have to commit to one business.
The Difference Between Bleisure and Digital Nomad Lifestyle?
While bleisure and the digital nomad lifestyle may seem similar, there are distinct differences. First, bleisure is typically tied to specific work events or trips, often lasting just a few days. Simply put, it's about extending a predetermined work journey for leisure.
On the other hand, the digital nomad lifestyle is more flexible. In particular, freelancers are not restricted to any specific location or timeframe. Their "office" could be a co-working space in Bali one month and a café in Barcelona the next. Long story short – freelancers or digital nomads (if you wish) integrate work and travel into their everyday lives, not just as an extension of a business trip.
Remember, you only need a laptop and a stable internet connection to communicate with clients and deliver KPIs. That's why you can find a lot of freelancers working from cafés, coworking spaces, and other common areas. In addition, I recently compared the pros and cons of working from a café to a coworking space. If you missed this, you can read it now.
To recap:
My 3 Tips on How to Combine Leisure and Work
Combining work and travel can be challenging for some. However, I’ve seen some patterns that can improve it. Here’s how.
Set Clear Boundaries. I define specific working hours that don't interfere with my exploration time. If I'm in a different time zone, I might work late afternoons and evenings, leaving my days free for adventures.
Prioritize Tasks Wisely. When on vacation, I focus on smaller, manageable tasks. I save the big, time-consuming projects for when I'm back in my regular routine. This way, I can still be productive without missing out on the experiences around me.
Embrace New Work Environments. This is my favorite part of blending work and travel. I've written articles in centuries-old libraries, taken calls from cafes and Airbnbs, and brainstormed ideas while working at some coworking spaces. Try new things – you never know where inspiration might strike!
Remember, the key to successful bleisure is finding the right balance that works for you. So, the next time you're packing for a work trip or planning your next remote work destination, think bleisure. It might just change the way you view work travel. You only know once you try, right?
