Travel Fatigued Traveller – Tips for the Tired & Worn Out

Last week marked the 15th month of our single-parent travel. Months of working with luxury travel experts to figure out the best ways of enjoying our journey. We are proud of all we have achieved since I am a single mum aged 52, traveling with a kid aged 8 years. for all these months of family travel, we have operated within a budget of $50 -$60 a day, and stick to it using an iPhone App that helps us monitor our expenses. The App is called Cash Vault. We include everything – even if we have to use a public toilet that costs 20 cents.

But what it also means is we have to plan and take time to do things that fit into our budget. Now in saying that, I don’t scrimp on too much. We went to Disneyland, climbed Machu Picchu and took some tours. When we visit a special place, we always do events or excursions. But this takes planning.

It means we need to take time to contact hostels and hotels and bargain prices down for accommodation. And sometimes the accommodation is not the standard we would like. But normally, with a bit of emailing, and web-searching we do find decent places to stay for under $25 a night.

We have to admit that we have been in hostels that were less comfortable and in countries where we struggled to understand locals due to language barriers.

And it doesn’t help when you are on a time agenda, and can’t stop for long.  Nor does it help when you can’t get a hot bath to soak away your worries.

What brought on my travel fatigue, was one too many border crossings, with one too many big bags, in one too many chicken buses and tuk-tuks. With one too many delays.  One too many wet pieces of luggage on top of a bus.  And what finished it – one too many people trying to rip us off – this time around, it was a taxi driver, who instead of driving us 6 blocks to the bus terminal to take the bus to the next town, he tried to drive us to the next town and charge us $40. And then the argument started.  And then he ‘lost’ the bus terminal – even though I pointed him in the direction 4 times.  And I was tired he wasted half an hour, and I didn’t want another argument over money.

So we arrived and I was – well worn out! I wanted to cry. I was not well – I also had picked up a tummy bug. I felt revolting. My clothes smelled musty and I had to wash the lot by hand.
Enough was enough.

So here are a few ways I discovered would help you recharge when fatigued while traveling.

STOP
I know this is hard when you have to keep moving, but if at all possible try to rest up – at least for a couple of days, and if possible a week.

STAY SOMEWHERE NICE
This might mean you have to spend a little more on your budget. In our case, our limit is $25 a night, but for $28 we could get a room with a terrace garden and table and chairs out the front. Check it is clean, has no bedbugs, and is spacious.

A PLACE TO YOURSELF
Make sure you book a place, all to yourself. No dorms, and a hostel or hotel on a quiet street. You cannot recharge with people bugging you, so try to get a room at the end of a hostel or away from the street and kitchen and communal areas.

EAT OUT
Go get yourself a nutritious meal. Make sure it is a clean and comfortable place you can sit. If you have a child/ren, bring them a book or electronic device to keep them busy as you have your alone time.

Order a drink. If you like wine, have a nice glass – something that makes you feel good. I do not encourage you to go and buy a bottle of wine and to get sozzled. But one or two glasses will relax you, and you can go and have a good sleep.

TAKE A HOT SHOWER
It is unlikely you will have a bath if you are in Central or South America, but you may if in England. The best thing is a long soak in a hot tub, but otherwise, take a long shower, and wash & condition your hair and feel squeaky clean.

If you have a hot tub, take a book or a nice magazine and just tune out to the world. If you are too tired to do this when you arrive, then do it in the morning. Wash your body all over. Even your own body needs touch.

SLEEP
If you have a little one, try to get a separate bed for them. I found there are times when you can only get a matrimonial or double bed. A kicking child gives you little rest. So try to get them their own bed. Now climb in between those sheets, and go to sleep.

MASSAGE
Try to book a massage.  Even the back and neck are enough to de-stress.

MEDIATION, PRAYER, YOGA, and other relaxation methods
When you wake, have some time alone if possible. Silence yourself and breathe. Try to be thankful for some things in your life. Focus on anything positive. If you are a Christian have some time with God. Take some time to meditate, yoga, or relaxing exercises. Sit in a church, especially if you are in a place where the cathedrals or churches are unusual.

TAKE MULTI-VITAMINS
Now is the time your body is run-down. I know green juices are good, so if you have a blender or juicer you can make them. If not please take vitamins.

EAT HEALTHY
It is important over the next few days to eat right. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the keys. So drag yourself to the market and stock up. If you have access to a kitchen, then prepare your own meals, but if you are too tired, local meals can be just as good. Ask for extra vegetables and protein foods, and cut down on carbohydrates.

PAMPER YOURSELF 
(some tips are more for women here)
Paint your toenails. For me, I carry a peel of Mask in a tube.

Go to a mud pool or bath. Now is a great time to deep condition your hair, or do a face mask. You can buy these in most markets too, or even google natural ones you can concoct yourself.

Shave your legs. Buy yourself a treat.

DO SOMETHING FUN OR DISTRACTING
Take a salsa or any other dance lesson. You can also take a local cooking lesson. Go and paint, find a pottery class, or make some things out of what you find around you. Art classes are great to relax and engage your mind.

Play mini-golf, go bowling, go to the movies. I even find shopping or the markets a bit of a fun.  If you are quite low on funds, go thrift shopping. The hunting for bargains engages your mind and makes you forget your worries.

TAKE A JACUZZI; GO TO THERMAL POOLS; OR HAVE A SWIM
I have found water to be very relaxing. Warm water more so, but see what you can find around you that eases your worries as you spend some time floating or swimming, or even just sitting in the water.

GET SOME SUN
Make sure you get some sun. Dark and gloomy places and days make you feel sad.
Sit out in the warming rays for 1/2 hour, or go to a pool, or on the beach.

HIRE A BABYSITTER, OR HAVE A FELLOW TRAVELLER CARE FOR YOUR CHILD
Have someone care for your child/ren. If there is a partner or husband, then get them to take the child/ren. If not see if the hostel or a fellow traveler can assist.

Traveling families you have met and befriended may be able to assist. Just make sure you trust the person, or you won’t relax.

TIME AWAY FROM TECHNOLOGY
Turn off the phone. Leave the computer off especially for emails, Facebook, and definitely for blogging. Pick up a book, and sit and read.

EXERCISE
Now, this appears to be a contradiction, but if you are unfit or tired, sometimes a slow walk in the park, or a walk on the beach with your feet in the water, is especially relaxing.

You can still take your child, but let them know that this is your time to relax and they are to walk with you – Not cause you stress. Otherwise, take the child/ren to a park. You can sit down as they, on the other hand, get their energy out.

I had my son run around a car park, while I very slowly drove the car, just to get his energy out. I have stopped at an oval and told him to run to one side, and then run back. Meanwhile, I sit, and take a deep breath, and watch and feel the sun and the wind.

RELAX IN A 5 STAR HOTEL
You do not have to stay in a 5 Star Hotel to enjoy the lovely gardens, grounds, bars, restaurants and other areas they have. You can sit and enjoy a coffee and your surroundings will make you feel better.

SIT WHILE THE KIDS PLAY
If you have children, take them to a fast-food restaurant like Burger King or MacDonald’s. Somewhere where you can sit and have a coffee, and they can play. You don’t have to buy food or drinks. You can just have a few minutes to yourself. If it is sunny, a playground also works.

TREAT YOURSELF TO AN ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT
Now before you tune out, tune in. I have bought packages off eBay and also from HotelClub with super specials. We also found one just driving by in the USA. Especially if you are traveling just before the Christmas season. Resorts are empty. So the weeks leading to Christmas have the best deals.

We found a special on eBay for our first week in Fiji. The couple bought a holiday and split up. We got a bargain for less than our daily budget and included lobster dinners, breakfast, massages, and island trips! We also found an all-inclusive special we are yet to use and are just booking before Christmas.

Again the deal is exactly the same price as our daily budget but is all-inclusive, and even includes drinks and a kids waterside center.  It is 4 star on the beach and has pools and mini-golf.

As we won’t be leaving the resort for a few days, we will end up not needing to spend any more. All that scrimping and saving can wear you down making ends meet, so try to save up on a few days where you stay somewhere and don’t move towns or hotels – as this costs more. Look for online specials.  Google, Google, Google.

I am sure there are some of you who can suggest other things that people can do to feel relaxed. Please leave a comment if you do – I can add them in.

Questions and Comments

• How do you manage to keep within your budget when traveling?
• Ever tried the Cash Vault?
• How do you recharge when fatigued and traveling?
• Please share your comments with us below.