What’s travel without a little laughter? Beat the blues with these unique on the road tips.
Old woman laughing. Photo by phitar
Whether suffering from homesickness or culture shock, jet lag or entourage ennui, the traveler’s life is not always as happy as vacation photos might make it seem.
Hitting a few rough patches along the way is natural and to be expected as you globe trot.
Just because you’re having exciting adventures and visiting beautiful places doesn’t mean that every day will be exciting and memorable.
Here are a few unique suggestions that are guaranteed to make your travails a little happier.
1. Listen to Cheesy Music
I know you have it. I do. Put on your headphones, and experience the magical healing powers that Earth, Wind, and Fire, Huey Lewis and the News, and Phil Collins can have on a case of the grumpies.
While traveling, you rarely get the time to dance in their underwear to TLC’s “Creep” while getting ready for a night out, or belt out Queen lyrics in your singing-in-the-car voice. Well, it’s up to you to make the time.
So put on some Pete Townsend and let his music open the door to your heart and a better mood.
2. Stream Some Psychotherapy
The nascence of live streaming and podcasts on the Internet has revolutionized the way we can treat homesickness. These wonders of technology bring your home to you with the aid of an Internet connection.
Radio shows and news broadcasts not only permit the listener to enjoy a nice dose of refreshingly easy to understand English, but updates from the home front can also help you realize that your native land is still there and will be waiting for you when you get back.
Plus, there’s the instant mood boost that comes from catching the weather forecast predicting thunderstorms and humidity in your hometown as you’re basking in the blue skies and sunshine of somewhere exotic.
3. See A Hollywood Movie
I officially absolve you of all guilt associated with seeing a Hollywood blockbuster or checking out your fetish filmmaker’s newest film while you’re in a foreign land.
You are allowed to take a night off from sightseeing and sampling local flavor if you’re starting to get burnt out. Like podcasts, films can put you back into an English-speaking environment once again as well as give a window into your native culture.
Sometimes a cinematic experience is all it takes to revive your spirits and sense of adventure. Don’t deprive yourself of necessary respites along the way.
4. Enjoy The Silence
If you’re not staying in a bustling urban environment and don’t have access to technological audio-visual aids to distract yourself from your melancholy, you’ll have to be more creative about getting out of the doldrums.
On a hiking trip through the Alps one summer I experienced my fair share of grueling days. On the most physically and mentally exhausting ones, the only thing that helped me was simply shutting off my mind.
It’s true what Milton said, “The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven.”
Don’t let your mind make things more hellish – instead, revel in the meditative moments that come when one is surrounded by wide-open spaces. Don’t think about the past or the present. Don’t think at all. Just be quiet.
5. Get Metaphysical
I learned this tactic in Italy as I was lost and trying to find my hostel before it was too late to check in.
In my clearly stressed-out state, I paused to check the address. Completely absorbed in my quest, I raised my head to see a man standing in front of me, offering a piece of Italian candy in an attempt to alleviate my agony.
Almost immediately, my frustration evaporated. I realized in that moment that the true treasures of travel are these moments, often unexpected, which can swing you through the tough times until you can grab onto the next one.
Lastly, remember that most negative experiences are the funniest stories you’ll tell when you get home. Think about what an entertaining party guest your tales will make you!
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11 Comments... join the discussion!
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Great piece! I think this topic is something that really doesn’t get discussed enough, mainly because most people would be ashamed to admit to feeling a bit low on the road as there is this expectation that travelers are constantly on adventure-mode or always happy. However, personally speaking, I find that embracing these “down phases” leads to greatest moments of reflection and enlightenment.
There’s this quote from the book “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts that describes the condition perfectly:
“Sometimes you have to surrender to win…One of the reasons why we crave love, and seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, and shame, and sorrow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again…”
michaela
http://michatheperegrine.googlepages.com/
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Thank you Emily for the wonderfully written piece. Are there particular songs or albums by Phil Collins or Huey Lewis that you would recommend? I have my favorites, but perhaps there are ones I am forgetting.
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Good piece Emily! I most certainly agree with the last one; letting the unexpected happen is a fantastic way to enjoy your new surroundings and forget about your frustrations. Merci!
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Emily, you must have some sort of psychic insight into my latest predicament, because these tips came at just the right time. Well done.
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I agree that it’s the bad times that make the best stories so, as long as I can find a bit of fun in a bad situation, they’re never really that bad! Sometimes losing control of a situation leads to the best outcomes.
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One day, after a couple of months on the road, I found myself feeling unexpectedly lonely. I slipped into an Internet cafe that evening, and simply wrote an email to some of my closest friends saying how I felt, and could anyone cheer me up a bit?
The next day, my inbox was bursting with corny jokes, “Miss you too!” messages, and MP3s for me to download and listen too. It beat the traveller´s blues within 24 hours.↵ -
For me it’s the cheesy music! Especially the 50’s rock.
“She wore an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini…”
I first heard that song on an 8 track tape!!! (I’m really not that old). Hearing the song again takes me back to road trips in the vintage truck camper that had the 8 track tape player in it. Good road trips with the family!
[Note: Now I listen to my tunes on an ipod. Yesterday I saw a kid travelling with a discman! Woa, that was a jog down memory lane.]
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I’m so glad you wrote this .. the pressure to have a “good time” on holiday sometimes makes me ask myself “what’s wrong with me?” when those occasional downtimes happen.
What helps me through (and also produces a great record of the trip) is writing. Do a daily journal … getting your thoughts out will get you through the rough times and also provide a record of the trip that the strongest memories can’t match. I love going back and reading what I wrote .. down days included.
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Victoria,
Ah yes journaling! My saving exercise. I haven’t missed a day for the past 18 years. I think it’s an obsession perhaps but it helps me clarify things. Someone said to me today… “read yourself full, think yourself clear, write yourself empty”. Getting thoughts on paper brings clarity and understanding to the joys and pains of my life.↵ -
Hey there van peebles,
There are so many great Huey and Phil songs to choose from. I would recommend steering clear of Phil’s more heartwrenching ballads if you’re already in a fragile state, go with “In the Air Tonight” over “Against All Odds” for example. “Easy Lover” and “One More Night” are personal favorites of mine. As for Huey Lewis, I think his “Sports” album pretty much says it all.
Happy travels!
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