Touring Tips: From One Musician To Another
Life as a touring musician is a ton of fun. I mean, who doesn’t love to play shows night after night, meeting cool new people and traveling the world?
But as fulfilling as road life may be, it can also be brutal. Long travel days with little to no sleep, eating food that is less than ideal and not prioritizing self-care can all contribute to feelings of burnout.
I have been touring professionally for the past 30 years and after hitting the burnout wall myself, I decided to take matters into my own hands and experiment with ways to make touring life more manageable. After much researching and experimenting, I did find some strategies that really worked for me, and I hope they are helpful to you too.
Journalling
When I am on the road, I journal every day. I write about a paragraph of text when I wake up, the same again before I go to sleep.
My morning entry begins with the day, date, time, and my current location. A schedule filled with frequent travel can leave me feeling disoriented, but starting my journal entries with this information helps me feel more grounded. I then briefly write about the plan for the day and how I’m feeling.
In the evening, I write down what transpired that day and, most importantly, any emotions that are coming up for me. Having a safe space to process thoughts and emotions is so important, especially when you’re on the road.
After a short time of journaling, I noticed not only that I was more grounded and focused, but also that my sleep improved. It’s incredibly hard to wind down after traveling or playing a show, but journaling helped me quietly reflect on what had transpired and how it made me feel.
Self-Care
….is EVERYTHING! Don’t underestimate the importance of taking time out for yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything overly complicated or stressful. Simple habits and routines can make a world of difference, especially on the road. Touring is very demanding on your body, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned pro or about to start your first tour, remember to pace yourself. Your body is an incredible machine that works hard each and every day to keep you well, but if you abuse it, eventually over time, you will lose it. Treat your body with the respect it deserves, and it will thank you for it.
Get as much rest as possible, whenever possible. A simple 20min power nap in the middle of the day can make a significant difference. Stay hydrated. Water flushes out toxins, as well as helping to transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. I am guilty of not drinking enough water generally, and so I made a conscious decision to drink as much as possible on tour and I feel a heck of a lot better for it. I can highly recommend getting into a yoga or meditation routine to help both body and mind stay relaxed.
If you’re an introverted sort like me and need quiet time, make sure you create space for this. I need a moment of quiet every day, even if it’s only 5 minutes. Don’t feel guilty asking for what you need, you are in no way being selfish.
Headphones
Flying often hurts my ears, and many of the tours I’ve been on involve a lot of air travel. A few years ago, I bought myself a pair of noise-canceling headphones, and they’ve been an absolute lifesaver. Not only do they block out the sound of the airplane, but they also drastically reduce the noise of crying babies and loud conversations. I got Bose headphones, which are a little pricey but well worth it. Bose also makes earbuds, which some of my friends use in bed to help with sleep.
Travel Light
Remember to make life on the road as easy and streamlined as possible and only take essentials. You have enough musical equipment to carry around without either a large suitcase or a heavy backpack to contend with. Be kind to yourself and only take what is absolutely necessary.
Supplements
Running on empty and spending a lot of time in small spaces with many people is a recipe for getting sick. I’ve found that taking supplements regularly has been a game changer.
The supplements you need will vary depending on your situation, so I’d suggest chatting with someone who knows about these things. But if you want to make your life easier, get a bottle of high-quality multivitamin tablets or gummies to take every day. I’ve found that cheaper brands aren’t as effective.
My supplements include:
- Turmeric Capsules (to help with inflammation).
- Probiotic (to help with digestion).
- Chewable Digestive Enzyme tables (also help with digestion, I only discovered these recently and they’ve been great).
- Vitamin C (to help boost my immune system)
Food Matters
One of the elements that is always difficult to manage on the road is food because we often can’t eat the quality or type of food that our bodies need. I’ve become extremely sensitive to highly processed food and have been more strategic with my choices these days. Drinking plenty of water also comes into play with this as it helps flush toxins out of your body that might well be in the food you’ve consumed. If possible, try not to eat late at night. I completely understand you don’t always get a choice (or you might not like to eat before you go on stage, I totally get it), but if you will be eating late at night, pick something light that your body is able to digest easily.
Kindness is a Strength
Above all else, remember to be kind to yourself and everyone around you. It’s ok to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or anxious. You might even question why on earth you’re even doing this. Know you are most certainly not alone in how you’re feeling and that it’s perfectly normal. Try some of the tips listed above. They may seem simple, but I promise they will make life on the road much easier.
