Justin Langer admits studying the Australian cricket team's bubble-laden schedule can bring "tears to your eyes" as he prepares for a month of quarantine back home.
Cricket Australia's updated 2020-21 fixtures are yet to be revealed publicly, with the governing body still waiting for state-government clearances.
Langer's players were given a rundown of what is likely to be on the cards in coming months prior to Wednesday's ODI series decider against England in Manchester.
"You could see the blood draining out of their faces. Because it's not only the cricket, it's living in the hubs, the quarantine periods before and after," Langer told SEN.
"Which is certainly going to add up to more time away from our families.
"The biggest challenge we've got ... is trying to stay focused on now.
"Because if you look too far ahead it probably brings tears to your eyes.
"I'm going to Adelaide for two weeks in quarantine then I go to Perth for two more weeks in quarantine ... probably a few weeks at home then we get back to more quarantine time (prior to the India series)."
Langer, staff and some players will head home on Thursday then spend a fortnight in quarantine at Adelaide Oval's new on-site hotel.
A charter flight will take a group of Australian and English players to the UAE for the Indian Premier League, which runs until early November.
Australia are expected to face India in all three formats this summer, host New Zealand in a limited-overs series then travel to South Africa for their first Test tour of the Rainbow nation since the sandpaper scandal.
Next year's IPL is slated to start in April.
Players' freedom will be severely restricted during that stretch because of biosecurity protocols and quarantine requirements.
England paceman Jofra Archer, who has spent 87 days in a biosecurity bubble during England's home season - more than any teammate - admitted it had been "mentally challenging",
"I haven't seen my family, really, since February," Archer said.
Cricket Australia is on the cusp of filling a recently-created position that is entirely focused on mental health.
Team psychologist Michael Lloyd has already helped map out individual mental-health plans for Langer's chargers.
"We'll keep a very close eye on our players, we're going to have to keep a close eye on our staff," Langer said.
The former Test opener insisted a six-match tour of England had been worthwhile despite the tourists' timely and taxing requirements.
Langer suggested a "very inspiring" recent conversation with his dad, in which he was told to harden up and think of visits to the Western Front and Gallipoli, put the squad's sacrifices in perspective.
Australian Associated Press
