When you think of digital nomads, the first couple of things that come to mind are probably working from all types of exotic locations and having your own schedule.
While this may sound like a dream come true to many, there are also plenty of challenges that come with being one. For example, as a digital nomad, the constant pressure to be productive will always exist and with it comes the feeling of being burnt out, which can be extremely difficult to come out of.
In this blog, we’ll explore different mental health tips for digital nomads that can help prioritize your mental health.
Establish a routine that works for you
As mentioned above, one of the many benefits of being a digital nomad is that you’re your own boss, so you can either choose to work during the morning, evening or night hours. However, having this much power and freedom can mean a lack of structure in your schedule, which is an easy gateway to stress and decreased productivity.
This is why many digital nomads recommend creating a routine that balances work, exercise, relaxation, and exploring. The routine doesn’t need to be strict and rigid, but still, finding a rhythm that suits your lifestyle can help you stay focused and reduce stress.
Have a dedicated workspace
Reading the subheading, you’re probably wondering, “Wait, doesn’t being a digital nomad mean you can work anywhere I want?”. While this is true, having a dedicated workspace that allows you to concentrate and separate work from leisure is still important, even as a digital nomad.
Obviously you are still free to choose your working space, so for example, you could choose that comfy corner in your Airbnb, a local coworking space, or a nice spot near a lake. Just keep in mind that having a consistent place to work helps reinforce the mental shift between “work mode” and “relaxation mode,” preventing burnout.
Stay connected with loved ones
Having this lifestyle means you’re always traveling and may not have a consistent social circle or community. However, if you’re fortunate enough, you most likely have family and friends back home, so it’s a good idea to keep in touch with them through regular calls, texts, and social media.
Technology has its upsides and downsides, but no one can deny that it is a wonderful tool for staying connected, so take advantage of it and avoid feeling lonely. It truly can make all the difference in feeling grounded and supported, no matter in which corner of the world you are in.
Join local and online communities
While it’s important to keep in touch with those back home, it’s not to say you can’t go out and join local or online communities. In fact, it is equally important to do so for your mental health since being part of a community can provide you with a sense of belonging and combat those unpleasant feelings of isolation.
But what do we mean by local and online communities? Well, it could be any community, for example, local meetups, language classes, or coworking spaces to connect with other people experiencing a similar situation to yours. There are also plenty of communities online specifically created for digital nomads that offer support, resources, and friendship.
Mind your physical health
Prioritizing your mental health is just as important as prioritizing your physical health. Think of it as maintaining a well-balanced vehicle; the engine (physical health) needs regular maintenance, while the driver (mental health) needs to be alert, focused, and in good spirits to navigate what’s ahead.
Now, analogies aside, it can be easy to neglect the importance of staying active and having healthy eating habits, especially as a digital nomad who is constantly traveling. The negligence of this aspect of your health can ultimately lead to a negative impact on your energy levels and overall mood.
To keep the negative impacts away, make sure you include activities such as walking, running, or yoga into your daily schedule, even if it’s a busy one. Also, as challenging as it may be to find actual healthy food in foreign countries, eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated will also help you with your physical and mental health.
Set boundaries between work and leisure
The line between work and personal time can quickly blur when your office is wherever you want it to be. Without this line, you’ll often find yourself feeling burnt out, since your brain has no real way of knowing when it’s time to work and when it’s time to relax.
A way to work around this problem is by utilizing time-tracking apps to monitor your work hours and schedule breaks throughout the day. But if you prefer not having your phone near you while you work, you can just simply set time breaks in your head, for example, you can use the ‘Pomodoro Technique’.
Practice mindfulness and stress-relief techniques
For many digital nomads, the most stressful part about the lifestyle is flying and managing work deadlines. To combat this, learning and doing mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling can help you stay grounded and manage stress more effectively.
You can also incorporate using apps such as Headspace and Calm into your practices. Both of these apps are very user-friendly and will help guide you in your meditation process.
Embrace the art of slowing down
Nowadays, many people embrace the phrase “hustle never stops” and even more so in the digital nomad community, since this lifestyle often comes with a self-imposed pressure to keep moving — to finish more projects, see more places, meet more people, and check off more items from the bucket list.
However, constantly moving and never letting your mind rest can put its toll on your physical health, as well as your mental health. Also, looking past the negative implications that it has on your health, having the mindset of always moving and looking towards the next thing can result in missing out on the beauty of living the moment and prevent you from taking the time to truly immerse yourself in the culture around you.
So, remember to keep in mind that embracing slow travel will not only help you reduce stress levels but will also allow you to develop deeper connections and a stronger sense of belonging.
Be kind to yourself
As great as the digital nomad life may sound, it’s also important to remember that it isn’t always Instagram-perfect, and that’s okay!
Like any other job, there will be days when you feel overwhelmed, unproductive, or, in the case of being a digital nomad, homesick. But during these days, it’s important to remember to be kind to yourself. Take breaks, ask for help, or simply enjoy the place that you’re in.
Conclusion
Living as a digital nomad can be a blessing and a life that many people wouldn’t take for granted if they had it, but it also requires a proactive approach to maintaining your mental health in a positive state. By utilizing and taking into consideration some of the tips mentioned above, you can create a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle that balances work, travel, and personal well-being.
The digital nomad journey isn’t just about the places you go, but also about how you feel along the way. Take care of your mind, and the rest will surely follow.
