Stuck in a travel rut? Pack, travel, explore, repeat, pack, travel, explore, repeat; there’s no doubt it can be tiresome. If you ever find yourself taking a nap in the middle of a park or town tour, chances are you’re burnt out. Here at Pike to Peak, we know how it feels to be burnt out from backpacking or traveling, and we’re here to help.

When you’re on a trip, whether it be backpacking or traveling somewhere new, there's a natural desire to see everything you possibly can. It’s great, but it can get exhausting and leave you burnt out. Here are 5 tips to help you slow down, enjoy your trip and survive burnout.       

1. Slow down your travels. You should slow down your travels by breaking them up into smaller trips so you have time to regroup in between rather than going straight to the next adventure. We know it’s hard, but you’ll thank us later. The adrenaline you often build up from constant adventure is no doubt intoxicating, and backpackers and travelers easily lose track of how much energy they’re really using. So, take some breaks, you’re going to need them.

2. Take a day for yourself. On another note, while you’re slowing down your travels and taking breaks, you should also leave one day (depending on your length of travel) to just be. Whether that means taking it easy and casually exploring an art museum or sleeping in until noon, you should allot a day for yourself, to regroup, relax, and gain some energy back. Remember, it’s your trip, it’s not a race to see everything you can, look out for yourself and your health.

3. Change up accommodations. While some hotels try to make you feel like you’re at home, they’ll never be as homey as a real home. Instead of draining yourself out at a hotel and really feeling like you’re on a travel time limit, change up your accommodations by visiting a friend, Couchsurfing, or staying at a local Airbnb. The idea is that you’ll feel more comfortable, relaxed, and less stressed if you’re in someone else’s home with everything you need. 

On the other hand, if you’re in the backcountry, feel free to change up your arrangements or take a couple more hours rest before you pack up if you need it. Don’t be afraid to speak up to your fellow backpackers, they may need more rest too.

4. Get sleep. Sleep is most important, especially if you’re on the go so you can regroup and get some energy back. You don’t want to be sleepwalking through your trip, do you? Remember to listen to your body and if you need rest and sleep, do it! Don’t push yourself to see that final monument if your body is already phoning a bed.

5. Be flexible. You don’t have to follow the entire itinerary you created. Instead, you can stay longer in a place you like most, and you can also feel free to leave a place you aren’t excited about. It’s your trip, you get to decide how to make the most of it. There are no set expectations on how many sites you need to see or how to travel the right way – whatever that means. Just do you.      

Remember to be safe and listen to your body! Traveling is NOT a race!