The digital nomads guide to staying healthy while traveling
We're all familiar with the image of the digital nomad: a person who travels for work, living out of their suitcase and never settling down. But what about those of us who want to travel but want to be healthy? What do you do if your job requires long hours and physical stress? How can you stay healthy while traveling? The answer is simple: follow these tips from a lifestyle coach (and fellow digital nomad) who has traveled around the world for years on her own terms:
Health is wealth.
As a digital nomad, you’re constantly on the move. You need to stay fit, healthy and ready for adventure in order to continue your travels.
Health is wealth—and if there’s one thing that can help keep you happy while traveling it is having good health habits. For example:
Healthy people are more productive and able to accomplish their goals more easily than those who aren't as fit or physically active. If you're tired after work because of an unhealthy diet or lifestyle choices (like skipping meals), then it will be hard for you to meet deadlines at home too!
Healthy people live longer than those who aren't as healthy—and since longevity is becoming such an important factor for many people today (children born into poverty could live through adulthood without ever seeing poverty), this means that we should all try our best not only now but also later down the road when we're older so that everyone around us stays young forever!
Balance in all things, including diet.
When it comes to diet, a little bit of healthy balance can go a long way.
Food is fuel and should be treated as such—not the only thing you eat or drink all day long. This means that your diet should consist of lots of fruits and vegetables (which are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants) as well as whole grains like brown rice or quinoa. You also want to make sure that you're getting enough protein from sources like chicken breast (which has about 20 grams per serving), eggs or beans so that your body has enough energy for traveling!
Water is fundamental to life.
Drinking water is fundamental to life. Water is required for hydration, digestion and waste removal. It helps maintain your body temperature and keeps you full of energy. If you don't drink enough water each day, then it's possible that you could be running into health issues in the long run like exhaustion or even death!
It's important that we stay hydrated while traveling because dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness and nausea among other symptoms (1). The best way I've found so far when traveling with my infant daughter is by taking small sips of cold/room temperature beverages throughout the day instead of large amounts at once before bedtime (2).
Exercise can be as simple as a walk in the park.
Exercise can be as simple as a walk in the park. If you are traveling long distances, it is important to make sure that you're getting your daily exercise. While some may consider this an inconvenience or even an annoyance, exercise is actually one of the best ways to stay healthy while on the road—and it doesn't have to cost anything!
You should always try and find time for some form of physical activity when traveling; whether it's going for a walk around town or hitting up an outdoor gym if there's one nearby. It doesn't matter where you're staying: if there's somewhere nearby with good public transportation and amenities (like pools), then go ahead and take advantage of those amenities!
Socialization is crucial for mental health.
Don't let the idea of being alone scare you away from socializing. It's important to remember that our society is built on relationships, and being part of a community is one of the most powerful ways we can stay connected with those around us.
If you're a digital nomad, staying in touch with friends and family back home may not be possible or practical for the long term (which we'll talk about later). But if you're going somewhere new, it's crucial to have some sort of support network available to keep yourself sane—and maybe even make friends! You don't have to give up all contact with your loved ones just because they live far away; check out these tips for making it work:
Get enough sleep.
Getting enough sleep is a big one. The standard recommendation is to get at least seven hours of sleep per night, but if you're traveling, you may need more or less depending on the circumstances.
In general, sleeping well can have many benefits for your mental health and physical health:
It helps prevent depression and other stress-related illnesses by keeping hormones in balance so that they don't become imbalanced by repeated negative experiences (like jet lag).
It improves memory function because it gives your brain time to rest as well as repair damage caused by sleep deprivation over time (this is called "sleep debt").
It keeps inflammation down so that sicknesses aren't exacerbated when they come along - especially during cold seasons where there isn't much sunlight available outside!
You can be healthy while traveling and working remotely
If you're going to be working remotely, then it's important that you take care of yourself. It's no secret that traveling can be stressful and difficult at times, but there are plenty of ways to stay healthy while on the road.
There's no doubt about it: travel has its upsides—you get new experiences, meet interesting people and explore new places. But there are also downsides: long hours spent in an airport or hotel room; limited access to food (or even water); and sleeping on uncomfortable beds can make for some pretty rough days when you're trying not to let anything get under your skin (which could lead into an unhealthy lifestyle).
If you're looking to be more healthy while traveling, it's not as hard as you might think. Just take care of yourself! You might want to try these tips from the digital nomads guide or talk with your doctor about what they have in mind for your health concerns before leaving on a trip. And remember, travel doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your health--if anything, this gives you an opportunity to get out there and explore new places while still being able enjoy time with family members or friends back home.
