keeping sane and anti lonely
When I first started in the travel industry I had no idea on how to keep sane and or not be lonely (keeping sane was more of my case). Fortunately I met a couple of friends who were able to give me some advice on how to maintain your well being whilst in the industry.
Create sanity packs: These packs are up to date magazines and publications of things you like to read. It could be aviation news, horses. It's gotta one of those things with pictures or things you just can't put down and HAVE to read over. Or if you are just like me...get the hot news from Hello or Who Weekly etc!!! These are great to pass time when you have to wait and I find they give me great ideas on what to do if you get more spare time on a layover. See that movie that just had a great review! You dont bother anyone reading and it connects you with the outside world with things you might like.
Exercise: When you look good you feel great. Get to the gym at least 3 times a week damnit! Go on and use that hotel gym!
(get that hair cut/style u always wanted or just try something new! Publications that often show information on how to avoid being depressed say to get a haircut try something new"
Diet: Every shiftworker knows how to have a very good or a very bad diet. Scraping by on black coffee and guarana drinks is just not my style. Take that apple and pear with you! Dried fruits are great if you get the nibbles. Make sure you drink plenty of water and dont drink too much booze. Everyone knows that alcohol is a depressant...it'll become your only friend! Like totally SHAME!!!!
Get to know where fellow shiftwork folks are and what times they are working. It makes a big difference when you actually make the effort each month to say hello and find out when they're working and where they are. There most likely going to be bored and lonely as well. Thanks to the information we have SMS and MMS. You dont need to wake anyone for them to get the message! We now even have 3G services. If you really really miss your buddies you might like to try video conversations. So you're never completely alone!
Laptop: Laptop + Internet means you can go onto sites like this when you got some time to kill...obviously at this second i must be extremely bored! HAHAHAHA But seriously a laptop and internet are now a ESSENTIAL to my wellbeing. It also means you can send emails and it's nice getting emails :-)
Don't forget Teddy: From the latest in technology tools to the simplest and more primitive forms....Kids like to carry their little teddy or toy with them wherever they go. Some of us may still know of people who still carry their own pillow or baby blanket with them wherevery they go. If this makes u sleep better and feel less lonely...Why not use it if you can? (dont try stuffing big blankets in a cabin bag it aint gonna work)
What is it that makes you lonely? Is it the emptiness of something incomplete that you feel from within? Like a lead weight resting on your guts dragging your heart down? Is it the need to just be around others and have company? There isn't one type of loneliness and knowing exactly what your type is might make it easier for you resolve and even prevent before it happens.
Many have said "everyone is lonely" I guess this is probably true with the statistics showing increased drug abuse/suicide and cases of depression. But then there are just people who have really nothing to worry about.
"the i'm bored i've got nothing to do and everyone is out having fun" this this is just to me is soooooo lack of organisation. You should have planned something.