The challenge is not to resist, but to accompany your body. Learning to manage this collective energy and one’s own fatigue is what really makes the difference for a successful festival.
Preparation: a matter of common sense
The experience begins long before the first note. Anticipation is the first step. Studying the site plan is not a luxury, it is a strategy. Identifying quiet areas, water points and first aid stations allows you to take ownership of the place and reduce the stress of the unknown.
The equipment must meet a principle of efficiency. A large capacity water bottle (1.5 L minimum) to take advantage of the water points. A hat. Sun protection.
And the essential that is still too often neglected: hearing protection. They protect against irreversible damage, a much more important issue than aesthetics. “Every summer, I see young people come back with tinnitus after a weekend of concerts. Earplugs are a small gesture that can really avoid lasting sequelae,” says Dr. Claire Denis, a general practitioner in Nantes.
The three essentials: Hydration, nutrition, rest
Hydration is the foundation of endurance. In the effervescence, under the sun or in the heart of the crowd, dehydration lurks. The trick is simple: never wait until you’re thirsty. Alternating pure water with mineralized or slightly sweet inputs (such as diluted juices) helps the body to assimilate better.
Nutrition requires the same consistency. Dense snacks — oilseeds, bananas, dried fruit, a hard-boiled egg or a wholemeal bread sandwich — will provide diffuse energy, preferable to nocturnal temptations, which are certainly comforting, but difficult to metabolize.
As for alcohol, its management is essential. The euphoria should not make us forget its strong dehydrating power. “Alcohol, combined with heat and fatigue, increases the risk of malaise. And it happens more often than we think,” warns Dr. Denis. Moderation is not the enemy of pleasure; it allows it to last.
Managing your pace: the importance of breaks
The common mistake is to want to see everything, right away. The “FOMO” (Fear Of Missing Out) is exhausting. You have to see the festival as a marathon, not as a sprint.
Allowing yourself micronaps, even on a tarpaulin out of the way, is very regenerative. You also have to know how to find “off” moments: sitting in the shade of a tree, observing, simply breathing. These mental breaks matter as much as sleep. If the density of the crowd generates a touch of stress, isolating yourself for a few moments with deep breaths is often enough to calm the pressure.
Taking care of your body: skin, feet and hygiene
The body is our first ally. It must be protected from aggressions, starting with the sun. The application of sun protection must become a reflex, to be meticulously renewed. “Even on cloudy days, UV rays pass. One application every two hours is the minimum if you stay exposed for a long time,” insists Dr. Denis. Don’t forget the areas that are often forgotten: neck, ears, lips.
The same care applies to the feet. Aesthetics should not take precedence over comfort. Shoes that have already been worn (and are comfortable) are mandatory to dance until dawn without fear of blisters.
In terms of hygiene, minimalism is essential. Hydroalcoholic gel, a few refreshing wipes, a travel toothbrush and deodorant are enough to maintain a feeling of freshness. A compact first aid kit (dressings, disinfectant, analgesic such as Nurofenflash 200, (antihistamines) completes the essentials.
Staying lucid: safe and listening to yourself
The collective euphoria can be disorienting. The anxiety of losing his group is real. As technology is often capricious at festivals, the best solution remains the simplest: define a precise rallying point, at a fixed time. “At 7 p.m., near the Ferris wheel.” It’s a guarantee of serenity.
The simple rule – a glass of water for a glass of alcohol – allows you to stay lucid and preserve the next day. Finally, true security lies in listening to yourself. Dr. Denis concludes on this essential point: “The greatest risk in a festival is to no longer listen to the body’s signals: thirst, dizziness, irritability… These signs should always be a warning sign. »
Knowing where the medical post is as soon as you arrive is part of the basic reflexes. Because beyond all these tips, taking care of yourself is above all a matter ofListen.
