Being a digital nomad is a fun and exciting experience but just like any other lifestyle, it can get a bit too much. Whether it is stress from work, an unpleasant experience during your most recent move, or just a feeling of isolation and loneliness, you need to take care of yourself. Thankfully, there are tons of ways to do just that. Here are some of the best of them.
Keep routines
One of the best ways to keep away from stress, anxiety, and burnout is to keep a steady routine. This means planning out your work at least a few months in advance and sticking to the plan. Do a bit every day and you will find yourself progressing at a steady pace. This will help you feel control over your workload.
However, you also need to make sure to include relaxation, hobbies, and even days off work into your routine. If you work all the time, you will burn out fast. If you don’t know what routines you should have, read up on the routines of successful people or talk to other digital nomads. Speaking of which...
Socialize often
Socializing can feel like a luxury when you have a lot of work but it is essential for your well-being in two important ways. First of all, people are naturally social animals and we derive pleasure and meaningful connections from other people and our friendships with them. This helps with anxiety and can be a great way to relax after a long day.
But the second way socializing helps is by giving you a window into other people’s experiences that can help you along your journey as a digital nomad. Hanging out with other remote workers (even if they are not necessarily nomads) can give you a great insight into their routines, their planning, dealing with stress, and more. Having like-minded people around you that you can talk to is always a huge help.
Keep your body healthy
Sitting at a computer the whole day and eating nothing but pizza is great as an intense day of relaxation on occasion, but it cannot be your day-to-day life. Make sure you eat well and sleep enough hours. An adult should ideally have somewhere between seven and eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night for their energy to recharge.
It is also important to have some form of exercise. Some people opt-in for gyms while others enjoy the outdoors and go for a bike ride or for a run. And if you feel these are too intense, try at least having a walk for a few hours in nice surroundings. Also, as a digital nomad, you will find yourself in all kinds of cultures that have all manners of sports and exercise. So why not join the exploration of a new country together with exercising a little?
Reduce your screen time
Computers and the internet are a never-ending treasure trove of helpful and fun things even when it comes to self-care. Sites like Better Help can connect you with licensed therapists, meditation apps and videos can help you switch off and focus on yourself for a while, and messaging apps and video calls can help you stay in touch with your friends and family back home. So it’s not like it’s all bad all the time.
But you also have to make sure you switch off the screen from time to time and do something else. Going for a walk, having an offline hobby, meeting friends, or even just staying home and having a nice bath with your phone in another room can help you unwind and reconnect with yourself. Don’t underestimate the importance of being offline.
