At home we may feel a lack of purpose , direction , or usefulness that we get from being a part of a “ tour family ”. We can feel isolated amongst friends and family who may have difficulty relating , or who may express jealousy of your life on the road . Seeing the world is amazing , but the downsides are many . We are not always able to keep constant , quality communication with loved ones . We can experience long stretches away from home , followed by extended periods at home without work and a paycheck . We sometimes may struggle with relating to the 9-5 lifestyle or feel out of touch with our home lives . We miss lots of events and have a tough time planning or committing to things more than a few days in advance .
Depression and anxiety are ramped in this tour life . We often don ’ t know exactly what our schedule will be or when we ’ re leaving next , sudden extended tour dates or worse , cancelled ones . When it ’ s good it ’ s great , and when it ’ s not it ’ s rough . Your mental health is where your resilience , strength and prosperity will lay . Be proactive instead of remaining in denial that you are impervious to any of this . Be prepared when getting ready to head out on the road .
Take control …
First , visit your doctor and talk about your mental and physical health . Make sure you are always on top of needed prescriptions . Besides those who need medication there are things we all should do for our mental “ hygiene ”. Learn about coping strategies like diet , exercise , meditation , keeping a journal , supplements etc .
Some mental health issues are genetic and those who know this affects them should take the extra steps needed to be prepared . The US embassy can help you locate medical services and also help with what substances are prohibited in any given country .
Monitor your intake . It is no secret that touring , as has been the subject of our other articles , can play havoc on the body and the mind . We ’ ve said it before and we ’ ll say it again- late nights , early mornings , little sleep , long hours , questionable food choices , irregular exercise , alcohol and drugs can take a life lasting toll if not controlled or counteracted with good , consistent habits in time .
Seek Help . If you feel you are struggling with burnout , depression , anxiety or general feeling of isolation due to the nature of touring , reach out either to a professional , a mentor , trusted friend , family or significant other . Do not be afraid to ask for help . We all need to lean on each other now and again . Everyone should seek a mentor or counsel from others they trust . This quality makes us stronger , not weaker , and is way to relate to others .
There are many options these days utilizing technology to connect you with therapists , family , friends or significant others including something as simple as using Skype . There are apps available that help with mood tracking . Mood tracking can help you figure out if there are specific triggers that contribute to whatever you may be struggling with .
All work and no play …
Days off on the road can be a sacred time to catch up on rest . Although this can be necessary , try to add other activities as well . Make some time to get out and explore , go for a walk , visit a museum , go to a gym , do yoga or just stretch . Mobility is you next biggest asset in longevity after your mental state . Set some goals .
It ’ s a new year , some say it ’ s a time for new beginnings , new perspectives and maybe a renewed interest in self-improvement . It can be a time for setting new goals or maybe — finally accomplishing old ones . This for some can be invigorating , inspiring and full of hope . For others it can be daunting , overwhelming and sometimes depressing . For those who feel that pressure or self-doubt , let me just say take a breath . If you ’ re seeking change , as most of us are in the new year , don ’ t set yourself up for failure by biting off more than you can chew . Before you start your journey you need to mentally set yourself up for success . You should first have some smaller goals you can accomplish quickly , which will build confidence and then larger ones that will need you to be consistent over a much longer timeline .
You ’ ll ultimately need to build better habits not just temporary fixes in order to make lasting change . Just like trying to get to the top of a building that does not have an elevator , you need to take it step by step in order to get to the top . Each small step you take gets you closer to your larger goal . Too often we overwhelm ourselves with everything all at once . This is the mental war we fight before we even get started . We often talk ourselves out of the first step mentally before we even take a single step physically . All action starts in the brain . Why does this matter ? Well , as a culture we put very little effort into our mental health , yet it is the birthplace of all our ideas , reactions and habits ; good or bad . Having the right mental attitude towards the outside world and ourselves will determine almost everything about our lives .
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