How to look after yourself at a music festival: Our top tips

We’re coming to the end of festival season now, and they’ve certainly hit the headlines over the last few weeks, both good and bad.

While revelry is high at such events, and the glitter and gold always likes to come out and shine, the festival has long been a place where people try to have such a good time that they fail to really look after themselves.

With a few more festivals left of the season, here are our top tips on how to look after yourself at a music festival…

Get your sleep

It’s all well and good spending the first night partying, but remember it’s a marathon and not a spring. It might not be easy but sleep is vital to the body’s recovery and recovery is often needed at music festivals.

Lack of sleep can really influence the levels of neurotransmitters and stress hormones within the body, which can have a big impact on your mental health - which could put a real downer on the last few days you’re there. Ensure you get a good night’s sleep each night so you’re ready to go again in the morning.

Know your limits

Have a think to yourself before even arriving on site at what your limits are. Alcohol, and drugs, are prevalent at festivals so knowing your limits in order to stay safe is a must. Set yourself daily limits and keep a track on what you are consuming. Just because your friend is comfortable drinking six pints, that doesn’t mean you are. It’ll only spoil your enjoyment of the festival.

For those who are wishing to stay sober, understanding how to do that, and whether you’re ready for that is also a must. Staying sober at a festival for those who are alcoholics, for example, is a difficult and big step, so ensuring there’s a network around to help will also be useful.

Make sure you eat

With wall-to-wall music and plenty of other things going on, it can be easy to get caught up in all the action and completely skip mealtimes. This is a big fail. Eating is not cheating, and you wouldn’t go all day without getting some food at home, so you shouldn’t at a festival.

In fact, these days at festivals you’ll find some amazing food stands, even plenty with healthy options to tuck into! So make the most of it.