8 Steps to Overcome Travel Burnout


What do you do when you have travel burnout?!

The first thing to do is to distinguish between symptoms of culture shock or burn out from traveling. It is possibly that you are experiencing culture shock because there are similar symptoms like homesickness and others that are common for both. Before buying that ticket home, take some time to focus on what is going on within.

A few symptoms of travel burnout are:
  • Homesickness.
  • Traveling feels like a chore.
  • You feel exhausted mentally and physically.
  • No interest in site seeing.
  • Unable to cope with your new surroundings.
  • Anti-social and have no desire to take advantage of this great opportunity to meet new people, learn the language, and culture!
Okay, so you are feeling like a spoiled brat right now and that you should be enjoying this chance to travel that most in the world do not have. I remember my first sign of travel burnout was when I went to Beijing, China. I was able to get through it and it was an awesome trip! However, my decision making started to become impaired and while I saw the Great Wall and other great places, I did not use my time well. Looking back, I feel like I could have done more but I just wanted to stay in bed. 

You cannot help that you feel tired of it. You do not want to be in this new place and meet new people that were once exciting to the travel experience. Seriously, what is wrong?! This is a once in a lifetime moment!

After realizing that you are burned out, accept that it is okay to feel this way! Here are a few steps to get through travel burnout:

SLOW DOWN AND FOCUS ON YOU
Take some time for yourself to feel well and healthy, especially if you are feeling physically exhausted. Avoid trying to travel right away and stay in one place, even if it may be longer than expected. Drink lots of water, eat well, and get lots of rest.

ENJOY WHAT'S FAMILIAR TO YOU
Even if it may mean you need to splurge, eat your favorite home cooked meal or at your favorite restaurant. Talk to family and friends over Skype. One suggestion is to make sure you have already prepared friends and family that when you call at times saying that you want to come home, they are going to encourage you to stay and remind you of your trip goals.

START A ROUTINE
Create your daily schedule in a similar way you did at home to help start something familiar to you in a place that is new. This will assist in coping with travel burnout.

LEARN SOMETHING
Sign up for a class learning something unique to that country or volunteer to help out people which can help you learn a new perspective about your situation. 

MAKE SOME FRIENDS
Talking to someone about what is going on can help you get through it. They can even offer advice and minimize the feelings of loneliness which is common when on a long-term trip.

GET OUT
Go for a hike or see a site to help you realize that you are in an awesome place. Sometimes it helps to be reminded of why you came to get you going.

REFOCUS ON YOUR VISION 
What is your goal again? Why are you here? To evaluate what is your purpose will help get you out of this funk and get moving again!

GO HOME AND BREAK
This is the last resort but if you cannot take another minute of traveling, then it may be time for a break. The place will still be there even after you return home and think positive that you can make this opportunity happen again in the future. It just is not the time to do it now.

Do you have any helpful suggestions? Please share! Want to get more travel tips and more? Get them to your email if you want or follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. 

#beunbounded



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