Travel burnout, or travel fatigue, may sound like the biggest first-world problem there is – people getting stressed, depressed, and crushed by the fatigue of traveling.
But travel burnout is very real, especially for long-term travelers.
The constant schedules, frantic movements from one place to another, and the mental pressure of never truly being in a familiar place can easily start to weigh down on the mind. It is something which is added to the natural (and arguably always present) feelings of being uncomfortable, having a culture shock, or being fatigued
Understanding travel fatigue, its signs, and strategies for coping with it can ensure your journeys remain enjoyable and fulfilling. In this post you will find some suggestions on how to prevent it and how to cope with it if and when it occurs, without resorting to the ultimate solution, namely, pack everything up and go home.
Recognizing Travel Burnout
Travel burnout doesn’t manifest overnight and is instead a gradual process. Symptoms include increased tiredness and being unmotivated to do much, anything really, as you suddenly lose interest in your trip and even start to get homesick. Some tell tale signs include:
- Physical Fatigue: Continuous travel, from switching time zones to endless walking and activities, often leads to exhaustion. If you find yourself perpetually tired despite adequate sleep, it might be a sign of burnout.
- Emotional Numbness: A key indicator is losing enthusiasm for activities you normally enjoy. Iconic landmarks, vibrant markets, and even new cuisine may no longer evoke excitement.
- Irritability: Frequent irritability over minor inconveniences or changes in plans is another red flag. Small annoyances that wouldn’t typically bother you might start to feel overwhelming.
- Apathy Towards New Experiences: When joy in discovery fades, and the thought of exploring another museum or embarking on another tour feels burdensome rather than exciting, burnout might be unfolding.
Preventing Travel Burnout
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are proactive steps to keep travel burnout at bay:
- Pace Yourself: Avoid the temptation to cram every tourist attraction into your itinerary. Allow for downtime between activities. Slow travel—spending more time in one place—can offer a more relaxed experience and deeper immersion.
- Plan Rest Days: Schedule days dedicated solely to rest and recovery. Enjoy a lazy morning in bed, savor a slow breakfast, or find a serene spot to read a book.
- Stay Healthy: Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Exercise regularly, whether it’s a morning jog, a yoga session, or a swim. Adequate sleep is crucial, so invest in quality accommodations that facilitate restful nights.
- Stay Connected: Keep in touch with friends and family back home. Social connections can provide emotional support and a sense of normalcy amidst constant change.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Be prepared for the highs and lows of travel. Not every moment will be perfect, and that’s okay. Embrace the unpredictability as part of the adventure.
Coping with Travel Burnout
If you find yourself already feeling the effects of travel burnout there are some strategies to bounce back, such as:
- Stop: the most important and most of the below advice can be summarized with this one. Just stop. Be it in a nice hotel, an apartment, or a crappy bedroom that you don’t get out of, just stop moving and let your mind get accustomed to looking at something familiar for more than a day. So take a break, find a place to settle for a while, and spend a week or more in a single location to establish a routine and regain a sense of normalcy.
- Indulge in Comforts: Treat yourself to familiar comforts from back home. Whether it’s a favorite meal, a movie night, or simply staying in a homely environment, little comforts can bring significant emotional relief. As I wrote in this article on the importance of comforts, I personally find this to be the most effective. Going to a nice hotel, ordering room service, and watching TV series really helps to recharge. It brings you back to what “normal” people do and what you would do back at home. A nice hotel goes a long way toward recharging and alleviating stress. Even for couples traveling, having days apart with spa treatments while the other hangs out by the pool or at the bar the whole day can really recharge the batteries.
- Rent an apartment: Instead of staying in a hotel, renting an Airbnb for a week can really recharge. You can cook for yourself, and do proper laundry. All things that you would normally do at home. Bureaucracy and small fixes, like doing online payments, cleaning your worn-out shoes, going out to buy batteries or beauty products, and going shopping in convenient, easy, and recognizable malls, also helps in giving that sense of familiarity and break from the constant whirlwind of new things.
- Engage in Self-Care: Focus on self-care practices. This could include meditation, journaling, or visiting a spa. Listen to your body and mind, and allow yourself the space to rejuvenate. Similarly, workout can be a powerful rejuvenator, so if you’re one of those weirdos addicted to the hormones released after a workout, go to the gym.
- Drop the weight: Whether backpacking or traveling with suitcases, a good way to remove that mental weight is to actually get rid of the weight you’re carrying around. See this article on light packing for further tips.
- Look for familiarity It’s okay to go to familiar places or eat comfort food. They may be all the same everywhere in the world, but nothing beats a McDonalds or a Starbucks when all you want is to order “number #4”.
- Limit Technology: Disconnect from the continuous stream of social media and emails. Spend time offline to reconnect with your immediate surroundings and inner self.
- Reevaluate Your Itinerary: Be flexible with your plans. Prioritize experiences that genuinely interest you rather than feeling obligated to check off a list of top attractions.
- Start a blog Most travel bloggers will not admit to this, but the reason they started a blog was to have those overviews of their travels and share them. To stop experiencing constantly and step back and share the experiences they had. It brings both focus and much-needed rest (at first).
- Seek Professional Help: If feelings of anxiety, depression, or excessive fatigue persist, seeking professional advice from a therapist or counselor can provide valuable support and coping mechanisms.
Embracing a Balanced Travel Approach
Travel burnout is an indication that it’s time to realign your travel style with your personal well-being. Embrace a balanced approach to travel, prioritizing experiences that nourish your spirit and allowing for moments of rest and reflection. Remember, travel is not solely about the destination but the journey itself, including the care and mindfulness you bring along the way.
Happy and balanced travels
