Maintaining Your Sanity: Mental Well-Being Tips for Roadies on Tour
Touring can be an incredible experience, but it’s not without its challenges - especially when it comes to maintaining your well-being. Whether you're new to the road or a seasoned pro, it's easy to overlook some of the basic yet crucial aspects that keep you grounded and healthy.
From prioritizing sleep to staying active, what you eat, and even maintaining connections with loved ones, there are plenty of strategies that can make life on tour more manageable and enjoyable.
Let’s dive in and make sure you’re equipped to handle whatever the road throws your way.
1. Prioritize Sleep: The Foundation of Mental Health
Sleep is one of those things that can really make a difference on tour, even if it's something we all tend to overlook.
Most of us are running on less sleep than we should be, and when you're out on the road, it can start to take a toll. It’s tempting to not prioritise it, especially when there’s so much going on, but getting enough rest is key to keeping your mood in check. If you can grab some sleep between the start and end of the work day, it’s worth doing - and saves you from spending your day off just catching up.
I know, those bunks on the bus aren’t exactly cozy, and if you don’t get to your hotel until late in the afternoon, on your day off, it feels like you’re losing out on the day. But honestly, finding time to rest, especially at the start of the tour, makes everything easier. It’s all about pacing yourself - touring is a marathon, not a sprint, and getting enough sleep helps you handle whatever comes your way.
2. Healthy Eating on the Road: Fueling Your Mind and Body
Healthy eating is another big one that’s easy to overlook, especially when you're out on tour. It seems obvious, but it's one of those things that can really make a difference in how you feel, both physically and mentally.
Now, this can be tricky depending on the tour - festival runs often mean you don’t have much say in what you eat, while larger arena tours might offer more options, but also more temptations. After a long day, it’s hard to say no to some of the amazing food that’s available, but it’s worth trying to balance it out. It’s not just about how much you eat, but what you’re eating. When you can control what you eat, go for a balanced diet, so you’re better prepared for those times when you can’t. It’s not an instant fix, but maintaining healthy eating habits can help keep you from hitting that mental wall later on.
3. Staying Active: Exercise for Mental Clarity
Staying active is another great way to maintain a steady state of mind and avoid those bouts of anxiety or depressive thoughts that can creep up on tour. Exercise releases chemicals in your body that help calm your mind and boost your mood. Plus, it’s a good way to burn off any pent-up energy from anxiety or adrenaline spikes.
Anxiety attacks often trigger that fight-or-flight response, flooding your system with adrenaline, and exercise can help burn through that excess energy so it doesn’t build up and cause issues later. Some solid options for staying active on the road are running and yoga - both of which are easy to fit into your routine, whether you’re at a festival, in an arena, or just in your hotel room. They don’t require much equipment either, so it’s easy to bring what you need along with you.
4. Connecting with Loved Ones: Combatting Loneliness
You're not always going to be lucky enough to be on a tour where social engagements are plentiful or where you find people you really click with outside of work. This can lead to a strong sense of loneliness, even when you're surrounded by a large group of people every day and living in close quarters on a tour bus.
It's important to maintain communication with family and friends while you're on the road. A common misconception is that you always need something important to talk about, but think about when you're at home - you often chat about mundane, everyday things.
Your daily routine on tour might not change much, so it’s helpful to get into a habit of FaceTiming or Skyping with someone, even if you’re just going about your day. This kind of casual, everyday conversation can help ease feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Don’t feel like you always need something specific to say to reach out to people, and don’t take it personally if you haven’t clicked with anyone on tour just yet.
5. The Importance of Hobbies: Keeping Your Mind Engaged
Hobbies are a great way to fill the extra time you might find yourself with on tour or between load-ins and load-outs.
Some roadies pick up video editing, photography, reading, gaming, or even just watching movies. The key is finding hobbies that don’t require much gear—something light and portable that you can easily carry with you wherever you go. It's also helpful if your hobby can be done in small, enclosed spaces like a tour bus or during flights.
Having something enjoyable to focus on during downtime can make a big difference in how you experience life on the road.
6. Getting Professional Help: When to Seek Therapy on the Road
You're definitely not alone, especially these days, when it comes to seeking help. A lot of folks on the road, even if they’re not openly discussing it, are seeing therapists or engaging in some form of therapy.
Touring can be a high-stress environment, and more and more people are realizing that therapy isn’t just for when things get tough - it’s becoming an essential part of maintaining mental health. Having a professional to talk to about the thoughts and worries that build up can be incredibly therapeutic. You’ve got options too - different types of therapy, various counselors, and it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Plus, it can fit right into your schedule, so you can have those sessions in the privacy of your hotel room on days off.
If you're looking to dive deeper into this topic or need some support, I highly recommend checking out Music Support.
They offer personalized services specifically for roadies and others in the toruing industry. You can visit their website or give them a call on their helpline.
It's a great resource for when you need someone who really understands the unique challenges of life on the road.
