Being on the road is an essential part of both being a musician and being a fan of music. If you are in a band, then taking the step to that point where you can start playing gigs in other cities and towns in a huge moment, and if you can play in other countries, then you are never going to forget it. And if you are a die-hard fan of a band, you know that there is nothing like going to see them in different venues. There is something truly special about following your favourite band and getting to witness how they play in other towns (not to mention seeing how their set-list varies!).
But travelling on the road, whether it’s for work or pleasure, is something that can really take it out of you. If you are not careful, you run the risk of burning out and putting your physical and mental health at risk. Just because you are traveling, that does not mean that you can’t take care of your body and your mind. Here are a few tips for you can keep everything ticking over on those long-haul travels.
Ease Up On The Junk Food
Part of the grand tradition of road trips is eating all sorts of junk that you would never normally put in your body in the course of a normal week. The snacks, the candy, the burgers, and the hot dogs that smell amazing when fried up may not be as good as they first appeared…the list goes on. But while the occasional treat is absolutely fine, you need to watch yourself if the trip is a long one. Overdoing it on the junk food means that you are going to crash later on, which is no good for your mood or anyone else who is travelling with you. And while this may sound like a buzzkill, you need to start thinking about your heart health and diabetes as you get older. The kind of food that most of us like to snack on while we are travelling can cause all sorts of health issues if we overdo it, so maybe think about picking up some health snacks too and drink plenty of water.
Get Some Sleep Where You Can
Music is very much a nighttime activity, which means that whether you are on the stage or in the crowd, you are going to be getting to bed very late. If you are getting back on the road the next morning, then you are not going to be getting as much sleep as you need to. Now, most people can get by on less sleep than they would normally get for a short stretch of time, but if this is going to go on for longer than a couple of days, you need to start prioritizing your rest. When you don’t get enough sleep, your physical and mental health will suffer. See you if you can give yourself a day cushion where you can catch up on those hours or try getting to the next city early so you can get some sleep before the next gig.
Find Some Ways To Take Your Mind Off The Journey
As much as we all like to romanticize the open road, the fact is that travelling for long stretches can be pretty, well, boring. There are always going to be some amazing patches of scenery, and it’s always a thrill to find yourself in a completely new town, but it can start to get draining when you are getting up, getting on the road, checking into another hotel and so on. It helps to find an activity that is completely related to what’s in front of you. For example, a lot of people find that playing cards is one of the best ways of ing the time, but you won’t always have people around to play with and there are only so many hands of solitaire that you can play without losing your mind. Online casinos can be a great way to have some fun and relax, and if you have never played with one before, a casino guide can tell you everything you need to know about the games on offer. Play Live Casino guides break down games, rules and more to help you have the best experience.
Try To Stretch Your Legs
Anyone who does a lot of long-haul travelling knows how important it is to get the blood moving when you’ve been folded up into a coach or car seat for hours. There are a lot of physical health benefits to trying to ensure that you get some decent physical exercise (we should all be getting at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week at any rate), but it is important to that it is good for your mental health too. When we exercise, our brain releases endorphins. Everyone should be trying to get more physical exercise, especially in the winter months. If you’ve noticed that you’ve started feeling a little down on the last stretch of the journey, try a quick jog around the block next time you stop. You may be surprised by how much of a difference it makes.
Get Out And Explore
Finally, let’s end on a fun note. One of the best things about travelling on the road for music is that you get to see places that you never normally would otherwise. There are so many amazing cities out there, and they all have their own unique charms. While it is important to make sure that you are getting enough sleep as we mentioned, you should definitely take this opportunity to get out and explore. Find out if there are any particularly beautiful spots that you should check out while you are there. Look at what the local food specialities are and try something completely different! Talk to the locals about what you absolutely cannot miss and ask them what makes their town so special.
