AKRON, OH – Thanks to advanced technology, business travel gets more efficient every day. Yet, even with all of the modern-day conveniences, corporate travel can still be stressful and exhausting.

Travel delays, limited access to creature comforts and the general fatigue that comes with having to be your at your best, regardless of time zone, are just a few of the ways travel can all take a toll on a person. We asked a few well-traveled aftermarket executives for their best tips for staying healthy and focused during business travel.

Having visited 47 countries, Dil Kulathum, VP of International Sales for CARDONE Industries, knows a thing or two about business travel. Kulathum said he spends about 40 to 50 percent of his time traveling for work, meeting with sales reps, WDs, jobbers and shops.

After years of experience and learning the hard way, Kulathum said he tries to maintain a pretty healthy regimen while on the road, but the key, he says, in every aspect, is moderation.

"One of the biggest things is to make sure you are prepared ahead of time so that you don’t feel rushed. I am big on planning ahead, so that I’m not adding more stress when I’m visiting a site," said Kulathum."

"I also try to get adequate sleep, which can be difficult when you are traveling to different time zones. I avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol. All that in moderation is probably better than excess. The same thing goes for meals."

“I also find myself being more disciplined about exercise while on the road. Even when I can’t get to a gym or there isn’t one available, doing 100 push-ups and 50 sit-ups in my room gets me going.”

Karen Miller, director, business development for Adayana Automotive in Henderson, NV, also goes the extra mile to maintain her healthy eating and exercise habits on the road.

“In airports, I make a practice of trying not to take the electric walk ways or escalators, but keeping the same pace. It’s a small way of getting some leg exercises, not good for cardio if in a suit and pumps though," joked Miller.

"I carry cut up fruits and vegetables with me all the time," Miller added. "I just use zip lock bags, freeze one with ice and bring a small soft sided cooler that fits easily in a carry-on. It’s easy on the outbound flights, and on longer trips, there is always a “Whole Foods” or similar store to pick up a new batch of healthy foods. It’s much better than grabbing fast food in an airport or on the road, even great for a late night snack. I also pack one or two health bars and a bag of cashews or almonds for that quick pick me up, again instead of a candy bar while waiting in line at the airport."

Viewing travel as an opportunity to see and learn something new is also helpful, according to Vonda Lee, vice president of Halcyon Management Corp. in Murfreesboro, TN.

“The key for me is to think of every business trip as an opportunity to broaden my life’s experiences," said Lee. “Whether it is gaining additional information about a business associate, admiring a newly-visited city’s architecture or simply eating at a new restaurant, I try to expand my horizons. Life is so short. Grabbing every opportunity that is presented to you to obtain wisdom, share a smile or create a memory, is priceless.”