Hitting the road is an exciting time for any musician, whether you’re touring for the very first time or this is one of many tours you’re about to add to your list. If you’re a musician for any band, whether wildly famous or still up-and-coming, touring can bring about a unique experience that doesn’t always adhere to the conventions of normal life, and that’s totally okay.
You aren’t always meant to live like you’re on tour, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself to make sure that the touring lifestyle doesn’t get to you too much.
While each tour is inherently different — based on factors such as your budget and the length and span of the tour itself — there are a few universal tips that you can take into consideration when you’re packing up to hit the road.
Your health is one of the most important things, and keeping it in check on the road is crucial to giving the best performances and having a good touring experience. If you’re looking to survive and thrive on your tour, here are eight tips that can help you do just that.
Touring often means fast food pit stops, gas stations, energy drinks and missing fresh fruits and vegetables. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
You can use a cooler to keep some fresher items, avoid soda and energy drinks when you stop to refuel and take a multivitamin to make sure you’re getting your proper nutrients.
Being on tour can often mean forgetting to hydrate, especially if you’re spending long days on the road and trying not to make unnecessary stops. However, staying hydrated is one of the most important parts of staying healthy and energized when you’re on tour.
Make sure you have a water bottle on you, and try to refill it whenever possible. And try not to worry about those slightly more frequent stops.
There are plenty of reasons why a musician might turn to drugs, from the partying lifestyle to the stress of touring. Celebrities from Judy Garland to Whitney Huston were known for partaking, and the list certainly goes on. Unfortunately, taking drugs can be a fatal spiral, and going down that road can be detrimental to your health and your future as a musician. Even if you’re curious, simply refraining is the best option.
While getting a full eight hours can be tough when you have a sporadic schedule, making sure you get enough sleep each night can help you reduce stress, feel more energized and generally feel better in your body and mind.
If you don’t tend to sleep well in spaces that aren’t your home, try out ear plugs, white noise apps and neck pillows — they can really get the job done.
While many of these tips have been about your physical health, keeping your mental health in check is just as important. Especially when you’re in new environments and you have to be “on” more often than you might be used to.
Make sure you’re reflecting, taking time for yourself and practicing self care, even on the road.
Tensions can run high on the road, and it can be helpful to manage that before it becomes a real problem. With everyone confined to tight spaces and often living in unfamiliar conditions, you may notice more bickering, fighting and frustration between the team, band members or even managers. Make sure you learn to communicate with one another and use those skills daily.
While most of these tips are about taking good life habits on the road with you, one of the most important things you can do is remain present and mindful with where you are and what you’re doing.
You’re on the road — embrace it! Touring is exciting for your career and for your team or band to bond. You’re road tripping, and that’s exciting. Make sure you enjoy it.
While there are plenty of parts of touring that aren’t always ideal, it’s important to remember that a tour is a temporary experience.
While you should enjoy the ride, you can also take steps to care for your physical and mental health along the way. From eating healthy to building positive communication skills, touring could be the experience of a lifetime. Are you ready to hit the road soon?