Making the most of your travel downtime: self-care and wellness hacks for digital nomads
If you're like me, your days as a digital nomad are filled with coffee and work. They're also filled with time spent traveling from one place to another, without WiFi or reliable internet connections. And while some of us prefer to spend our downtime catching up on work, others may find themselves feeling overwhelmed by it all and turning to alcohol or drugs for comfort. I'm here today to tell you that neither of those scenarios is the best way to spend your downtime—and we can do better than that! Here are some hacks for making the most out of your travel downtime:
Invest time in yourself
Self-care is an important part of every digital nomad's life, but it can be easy to forget to prioritize self-care when you're busy traveling.
It's important not just for your mental health but also your physical health--and even your productivity! Self-care can include anything from taking a walk around the park or enjoying a massage at home.
Set personal boundaries
When you travel, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of new places and experiences. You might find yourself saying yes to every invitation--even if you know it doesn't fit into your schedule or budget. As a digital nomad, there are many more opportunities for people to ask for your time than there were when you were at home.
Setting personal boundaries is one way to stay focused on what matters most: your health and happiness!
Here are some tips for setting effective boundaries:
Set reasonable expectations with friends and family (and yourself). If someone asks if they can call while they're visiting their aunt in another city, consider whether this is something that will fit into your schedule without compromising other commitments. If not, let them know that while others have been able to do it successfully before them, this isn't something that works well for everyone; offer alternative ways that person could stay connected during their visit instead (Skype calls instead of phone calls).
Be consistent with enforcing these new rules as needed--especially when dealing with coworkers or bosses who may be used with having full access 24/7 via cell phones or computers rather than face-to-face interactions alone."
Don't burn yourself out
It's easy to get so caught up in your work or travel schedule that you forget about yourself. Don't let this happen! You're not going to be productive if you're burning out, and taking time for self-care is essential to maintaining good mental health while traveling.
If you notice that your moods are changing, or if they're dipping lower than usual, it might be time to take some time off from work or whatever else has been keeping you busy. If possible, try taking a short break--a day or two away from the computer will usually do the trick. The best way to avoid burnout is by knowing how much rest and relaxation each of us needs before starting another project (or adventure).
Find a healthy outlet for stress
Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn't have to be debilitating. Exercise, meditation and yoga are all great ways to find healthy outlets for stress. If you're not into exercise classes or high-intensity workouts, try something low-key like walking or jogging outdoors--the fresh air will do wonders for your mood!
Meditation is another effective way of managing stress levels without having to exert any physical effort at all. If you're new to meditation and want some guidance on how best to go about it, check out this article from The Huffington Post: "5 Tips For Beginner Meditators."
Massage therapy can also help relieve tension in both mind and body by alleviating aches caused by travel (or just plain old sitting too much). You'll find plenty of massage therapists willing to work with clients remotely through websites like Sensual Massage Connections (where we found our favorite therapist).
Keep up with your favorite self-care routines
Keeping up with your favorite self-care routines is an important part of staying healthy and happy while traveling. If you're anything like me, it may be hard to find the time or energy for these routines when you're constantly on the go and surrounded by people who want your attention. Here are some tips for making sure that you can still fit in some self-care even if life gets crazy:
Make it a habit before bed.
Keep items on hand that remind you of home (like scented candles) so they'll be there when needed most--like after an exhausting day at work or while waiting in line at airport security!
Don't let your downtime be spent only catching up on work, or worse, feeling overwhelmed by it.
If you're anything like me, your downtime is a time to catch up on work. It's easy to let yourself get swept up in the hustle and bustle of business travel and forget that you need some time off too.
But if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be able to take care of our clients--and that could mean missed deadlines or missed opportunities for new business. That would be bad news for anyone who relies on their digital nomad lifestyle for income (including myself).
It also means taking extra care not to get overwhelmed by all that catching up on work requires: setting aside time for planning out projects before diving straight into them; making sure there's enough room left over at the end of each day so that I'm not rushing through tasks or skipping out early just so I can go home; taking breaks throughout each day when they're needed (and yes, sometimes those breaks involve checking my email).
There are so many ways to use your downtime to recharge, and none of them require spending hours in a spa or gym. The important thing is that you make time for yourself, whether it's five minutes or an hour every day. If you can do that consistently, then you'll find yourself feeling more energized, happier and ready for whatever comes next on your journey as a digital nomad!
