Tanja Vanessa Tanja Vanessa

Tips to Prevent Travel Burnout and Find Balance

Seeking support and taking care of yourself during Travel

During my 7-month journey through Latin America, I experienced travel burnout firsthand. Suddenly, all I wanted was to be alone, stay in my room all day, and do nothing.

At times, I lacked the energy to even get food. The endless cycle of visiting restaurants and cafés, meeting new people, and engaging in repetitive conversations wore me out. Dealing with stomach issues, seeking medical help, and trying to explain my symptoms in a foreign language with limited vocabulary left me frustrated and contemplating an immediate return home.

I couldn’t help but feel guilty. Shouldn’t I be grateful for the opportunity to experience all of this? Shouldn’t I revel in exploring these exotic destinations? I should make the most of my time by seeing and doing everything, shouldn’t I?

The answer is a resounding NO!

Recognizing the emotional stages of traveling

The emotional stages of traveling are no different from those experienced in everyday life. Life has its ups and downs, and it follows a natural cycle.

Instead of fighting and suppressing these uncomfortable feelings, it’s crucial to acknowledge and address them. Accepting your current state is key to finding balance.

Travel burnout can occur when you embark on an extended period of travel, and the constant movement, planning, and new experiences become overwhelming.

Tips to prevent travel burnout

Here are some additional tips to help prevent travel burnout:

1. Plan Rest Days: While maximizing your travels is important, scheduling downtime is equally essential. Plan days dedicated to relaxation, catching up on sleep, or indulging in activities you enjoy without the pressure of sightseeing or rushing to the next destination.
2. Travel at a Slower Pace: Avoid cramming too much into your itinerary. Opt for a slower pace, allowing more time to immerse yourself in the local culture and savor the surroundings without feeling rushed.
3. Stay in One Place for a While: Consider extending your stay in a particular location for a week or even a month. This allows you to settle in, form new connections, and explore the area more deeply. If feasible, use this time to work remotely, breaking up the constant movement of travel.
4. Prioritize Physical and Mental Health: Traveling can be exhausting, so it’s crucial to take care of your well-being. Ensure you get enough sleep, maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and dedicate time to relax and recharge.
5. Connect with Locals: Engaging with locals is an excellent way to prevent travel burnout. They can offer valuable insights into the local culture and provide a respite from the constant hustle and bustle of travel.
6. Stay in Touch with Friends and Family: Instead of merely watching their Instagram stories and experiencing FOMO, make an effort to video call your loved ones. Discuss daily happenings and share your feelings with them. Their support can be invaluable during challenging times.
7. Seek Professional Help: Traveling doesn’t preclude you from seeking therapy. Connect with a therapist from your home country online, as many health insurance plans cover this option. Alternatively, research local therapists who speak your language or English. You may also consider seeking the guidance of a coach to overcome specific challenges.
8. Explore Retreat Options: Connect with your inner self by participating in retreats focused on meditation, quiet reflection, surfing, yoga, cooking, pottery, drawing, or dancing—whatever brings you joy. Dive into the world of creativity and spirituality, finding solace and rejuvenation through activities you love.

Remember, travel is meant to be enjoyable. Don’t hesitate to slow down, take breaks, and savor the journey.

Closing thoughts

If you are currently facing travel burnout, I hope these tips help you navigate through it. You don’t have to endure this alone, as travel burnout is common, especially among solo travelers and digital nomads. Take your time, welcome your feelings, allow yourself to experience them fully, and soon, you will begin to feel better. If all else fails and you feel homesick, it’s perfectly okay to return home or seek out a place that better suits your preferences in terms of culture, weather, environment, food, and more. Not every place is meant to resonate with you. 🙂

Please let me know if this blog post has been helpful to you. I always appreciate your comments.

Thank you!

Much love,
Tanja