The Importance of Taking Breaks for Productivity as a Digital Nomad
You're a digital nomad, and you're working from a coffee shop. You've got your laptop and your favorite headphones. You've got the world at your fingertips and a million things to do! But then it happens: you start feeling tired, or maybe even sick. Suddenly, there's no way that writing this blog post is going to happen if you don't take a break! You might think taking breaks will make you less productive overall, but actually, they're essential for keeping your brain sharp—and making sure that nothing gets left undone when it comes time to move on with your day. Here are some good reasons why taking breaks is important as well as tips on how to do so without losing focus or momentum during the workday:
We've all been there
I'm sure you've been there. Your mind is racing, and you can't stop thinking about all the things that need to get done. You're feeling so stressed out that it's hard for you to focus on what's in front of you.
You might be thinking: "I don't have time for breaks." Or maybe even: "I'm too focused on my work." But if this sounds like something familiar, then keep reading because I have some news for you: Productivity isn't about how much work gets done; it's about how well we manage our energy levels throughout the day--and breaks are an important part of that equation!
When I first started working remotely as a digital nomad back in 2013 (yes--it was before Airbnbs!), my productivity levels were through the roof! I was working 12+ hours per day with no problem whatsoever...until one day when I realized that my body was telling me something very different from what my mind was telling me; namely: "We need to take a break now!"
You probably don't know how out of control things have gotten
As a digital nomad, you probably don't know how out of control things have gotten. You don't see the emails piling up. You don't notice how many messages are left in your voicemail. You don't see how much work is being done by others while you're not looking.
It's easy to feel like your workload is unique and special and different from everyone else's--and maybe it is! But I'm going to bet that if we were all honest with ourselves and each other about our work habits, we would find that we share similar struggles:
We feel overwhelmed by our workloads at times (or often).
We wish there was more time in our days so we could get everything done without feeling rushed or stressed out about missing deadlines or falling behind on projects/tasks/projects (you get the idea).
Your body is telling you something
Your body is a great indicator of how you're doing. If you ignore the signals it sends, you'll be less productive, more likely to make mistakes and less creative.
It's important to take breaks because they allow your brain to rest and recuperate from intense periods of concentration. During these breaks, your mind can wander freely without any pressure or stress--and come up with some amazing ideas!
More thinking = less productivity
While it's important to think about the tasks you have at hand, it's also important to take breaks so that your brain can rest.
You're not going to be able to focus on everything at once and get everything done in a timely manner. You need to pick one thing and focus on that before moving on to another task or project. If you try doing multiple things at once, chances are good that none of them will be completed properly because they won't have been given enough attention in order for them to be done well (or at all). This will lead you down a path of frustration where nothing gets done as quickly as planned--and then even more time is wasted trying again later when things don't go according to plan!
Taking regular breaks from working helps us stay focused throughout our day instead of becoming overwhelmed from trying too much at once."
Taking breaks will help you get more done.
Taking breaks is a great way to help you get more done. When you take a break, your brain has time to rest and recharge. This allows it to think more clearly and creatively when you return to work. The result? A boost in productivity!
Taking breaks also helps prevent burnout--a common problem among digital nomads who work long hours every day (and night). If this sounds like something that could happen to you, try taking regular breaks from your computer screen or phone by going for walks outside, meditating for a few minutes each day or even just stretching out on the floor under a desk lamp if need be!
I hope this post has helped you understand why taking breaks is so important for productivity as a digital nomad. I know it's not easy to take time off, but trust me--it will be worth it in the long run!
