How do you treat travel burnout?

How do you treat travel burnout?

Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote an article about how to avoid travel burnout. The steps outlined in it really helped us make the most of our time on the road. Step three was particularly effective (i.e., schedule no more than 60% of your schedule). Between planning, traveling, writing, filming, photographing, and submitting external assignments, we would have quickly collapsed if we hadn't built in downtime. This worked well until we got to Bolivia.

Ah, Bolivia. In Visiting Salar de Uyuni, I admitted that Bolivia was the first country I really wanted to go home to. The feeling was fleeting, but it was a sure sign that all was not well. I felt this way partly for Bolivian reasons (icy cold showers, boring meals, exhausting altitude), but also because we had started moving faster than before. By then we had covered 10 countries in nine months and spent almost a month in each location. Now we had to get to Patagonia before the onset of winter and race south, rarely spending more than two nights in a hostel. When we arrived in Argentina we were both exhausted. This gave us insight into the travel burnout that affects many long-term travelers. If you're longing to go home, here's how to prepare to hit the road again.

1. Stop!

The first thing you should do is stop traveling if you can. Take a week or two (or four if you can afford it) to simply pause and refresh. The reason we stayed happy and excited for nine months is because we stopped and spent Christmas in Tahiti so we could reset.

Use Airbnb to find a cozy home, or check HelpX to see if you can volunteer for food and meals if you're strapped for cash. With HelpX you won't have 100% of your time to relax, but just staying in one place for a while will work like a balm. You may feel like you have to see one more place at the end of your trip, but it's better to see eight countries and really enjoy them than ten countries while feeling drained. When you get back on the road, go slowly and plan no more than 60% of your schedule.

2. Compare it to life at home

“Sometimes I just want to cry,” Anna said in Peru, describing the logistical challenges of overland travel in South America. I was impressed by their openness, but not surprised by the mood. I've probably felt like crying a few times (namely while camping). The question to ask yourself on these occasions is: Is travel stress worse than stress at home? For me the answer was always a resounding no. It's true I don't like camping, but is waking up in a tent on a beach in Fiji worse than fighting my way to the center line every morning for my long commute? Of course not. This recognition goes a long way toward getting you ready for the road again.

If you answer yes to the question above, pay special attention to the last step below.

3. Squirt out

Whether it's booking better accommodation for a few nights, overpaying for a few custards or going out for a nice dinner, treat yourself to something nice.

In Buenos Aires we booked an apartment for four nights and ate ice cream more often than necessary, but it was a great way to de-stress after a hectic month of travel. A vacation while on vacation sounds overindulgent, but it's certainly effective, especially when you're having a rough time.

4. Get healthy

It's difficult to maintain an exercise routine on the road because you don't have a set schedule, but getting active really does make you feel better. Feeling pretty optimistic, I downloaded a 7-minute workout app and completed it twice in our Argentinian apartment before giving up. If you find it difficult to motivate yourself, incorporate activities into your travel style instead: walking, trekking, walking, cycling and swimming wherever possible.

Also, try not to give up cheesy pizzas, sugary drinks, and the like. Eating healthy was difficult in South America, but I made small changes (e.g. drinking water instead of cola) to help where possible. Getting and staying healthy will put you in a better mood.

5. Let go of YOLO and FOMO

The phenomena YOLO (You Only Live Once) and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) encourage us to say yes to everything. You travel, they say. Go out! Beverage! Dance! Have fun!

Saying no is important not only for preventing travel burnout, but also for treating it. You can't and don't want to see everything. You only have so much time and energy, so sometimes you have to miss out - not just at parties and events, but also at sights and attractions.

In Peru we spent time in Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes (for Machu Picchu), Nazca and Puno, but we missed Colca Canyon. In Argentina we saw Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, El Calafate (for Perito Moreno), El Chalten and Buenos Aires, but we miss Salta, Cordoba and Mendoza. Don't try to do everything.

6. Find the same thing

Loneliness can play a big role in travel burnout. In this case, look for expats from your home country. Search relevant expat groups on Facebook, ask the tourist office for expat meetups, check out WAYN to find like-minded people. No traveler wants to spend all their time with people from home, but a taste of the familiar will definitely be a comfort.

7. Have an end in sight

We met Australian backpacker Tanya in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. She had been traveling for 14 months after selling her property and planned to move on with no set deadline.

A month later we met her by chance on our way to Atacama, Chile. She told us she had booked tickets and was flying home in a few days. This was a big surprise (for us and them). She said that a never-ending journey sounds great in theory, but is quite overwhelming in practice.

If you're lucky enough to have as much travel time as you want, it might make sense to still set an end date. This way, you know your time on the road is limited and you'll be more likely to make an effort to enjoy it.

8. Seriously consider whether you want to return

As we said goodbye at London Heathrow last year, Peter's father leaned over and said to me (presumably familiar with Peter's many "quirks"): "If you find yourself wanting to come home early, come home. There's absolutely no shame in that."

He's right. If you've really had enough of being on the road and are sure it's not just homesickness and none of it has helped, then seriously consider going home.

Snacks on tap and endless hot showers? Seriously. We will all understand.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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