A life spent touring on the road sounds like a dream come true … to a high school freshman trying to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. A veteran musician will tell you that such a pleasant, picturesque fantasy is far from reality…
The honest truth is, life on the road can be brutal, especially for those starting out on shoestring budgets. If your group is heading out on a string of cross-country gigs and you don’t want to feel like a living zombie within the first week, you’re going to want to plan accordingly.
There are a million minor details for every tour, and we won’t have time to cover all of them here. However, here are a few of the more important, often overlooked things that you’re going to want to address before you hop into that van and hit the open road.
Take Time for Comfort
It’s easy to excuse all of the physical aches and pains that come with countless hours spent on the road as just another part of the tour life. But there’s no need to surrender yourself to this kind of long-term suffering. Bring a neck pillow, lumbar support for your seat, and possibly even a quality sleeping pillow and small mattress if you have the room. Set yourself up for comfort, and your body will thank you in the long run.
Stay Mentally Sharp
Spending endless hours with the same group of smelly bandmates in a cooped up space rolling along at 65 miles per hour can do a number on a person’s sanity. That’s exactly why it’s important to take the time to keep your mind sharp. Here are some ways you can accomplish this without much trouble.
- If you’re driving, make sure to take breaks regularly to let your mind rest.
- Consider downloading a mental wellness app or two to help monitor your mood.
- Try CBD oil, which was made federally legal since the Farm Bill passed at the end of 2018. Just make sure it’s legal in the state you’re in, too!
- When you have a break, don’t be afraid to ask your fellow band members for some time alone.
Go to the Doctor
It’s always smart to go to the doctor for a checkup before you head out on tour. But even once you’re on the road, if you find that you’ve fallen seriously ill, take the time to make a trip to a local clinic or urgent care center. Don’t just “muscle through” everything, or you could find yourself struggling through an illness for far longer than necessary. On the other hand, if you do end up going to a doctor that isn’t your own, trusted medical professional from home, make sure that you double-check any medicines that they want to give you. While doctors are certainly authorities in their field, each one operates differently, and it never hurts to do a little extra homework to make sure that you’re getting the best treatment possible.
Adopt Minimalism
Packing light is already an important part of the touring musician’s life. But there’s more to it than simply avoiding extra baggage. It’s also important to keep your belongings to a minimum in order to help you maintain a healthy state of mind. In fact, adopting a minimalist lifestyle can be an excellent tool that can help maintain that struggle for sanity while on the road. While it does involve having fewer possessions, though, true minimalism addresses much more than just your belongings. It requires intentionally living with what you need, not what you want. This healthy state of mind can help keep you emotionally calm, and mentally sound, regardless of your situation at each stop along the road.
Stay Hydrated
Everyone knows you need to drink enough water, but when you’re hustling to get to your next gig in time, it’s easy to toss hydration to the wind. While you can get by with this behavior once in a while, if you’re doing it on a regular basis it can really drag down your health over the long term. Make sure to aim for that classic benchmark of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, especially if you’re spending each evening sweating as you lug a bunch of equipment around.
Make Smart Decisions
It’s easy to excuse reckless behavior when you’re out of your comfort zone and away from home. However, if a decent chunk of your life is spent on tour, maintaining a carefree attitude over the long term can be foolish. Always think through your decisions. Don’t drink recklessly, choose healthy dining options when you can, and remember that sleeping with anyone and everyone you meet on the road can have serious consequences, like contracting an STD.
Have Fun
Along with all of the serious health stuff, it’s also important to remember that just because you’re technically traveling for work doesn’t mean it’s all business. When opportunities arise to do touristy things or even to simply rest and relax, don’t be afraid to take advantage of them. Proper rest and self-care are vital elements to staying on your A-game while traveling for work.
Staying Healthy on Tour
Maintaining your health while on the road isn’t impossible, but it does take some forethought. The important thing is to remain in touch with your physical, emotional, and mental condition on a regular basis. Set yourself up for comfort from the getgo, check in with those health apps often, stay hydrated, and always make smart decisions. If you can follow the tips on this list, even a long tour can be pulled off with a clean bill of health.
Courtesy of Indiana Lee