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The digital nomad lifestyle can be truly incredible and offer so many opportunities for those who choose to walk that path. However, no lifestyle comes without its own challenges, and the same can be said for those who work remotely and travel the world as they please.
One such difficulty that needs to be overcome is the consideration of one’s health and wellness. We all know that being in a good, stable routine is the best way to make sure we’re keeping up healthy habits and taking care of ourselves. This can be a million times harder to do when you’re always on the go.
However, you can still enjoy the flexibility of travelling while keeping your well-being intact if you have clear intentions and a few plans in place. Here are some things you need to think about.
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Understand the Healthcare System
First of all, making sure that you have access to high-quality healthcare when travelling is one component of wellness that is often disregarded. No matter how well you’re taking care of yourself, emergencies can happen. When they do, interacting with foreign healthcare systems can be difficult, particularly if you don’t speak the language or understand the norms.
Getting signed up with a good policy like Trawick travel insurance will give you the peace of mind that you’re protected in the event of illness or accident. Make sure you understand the ins and outs of the policy and spend some time getting acquainted with the healthcare systems of the countries you will be visiting as well.
Prioritize Regular Exercise
Of course, maintaining your health and fitness while travelling requires incorporating some physical activity into your daily schedule. On most days of the week, try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity. Having a gym membership when you travel a lot isn’t always possible or ideal, so you might need to look into alternative options like going for a swim, bike rides, jogging or booking once-off classes.
Use your exercise time as a way to explore the city you’re visiting and experience new parts of where you are. Going for hikes or engaging in other fun sports is a great way to stay active and enjoy some fun leisure time as well.
Nourish Your Body With Good Food
Even though it may be tempting to continuously splurge on delectable street food and new dishes you’ve never even dreamed of, maintaining your energy levels and general well-being still depends on eating a healthy diet.
Everywhere you go, try to find whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean meats, and other fresh, whole foods to make up the majority of your diet. Opt for self-catering accommodation whenever you can so that you’re not forced to eat out all the time. When you prioritize healthy eating most of the time, you’ll feel no guilt when you decide to dine out and enjoy some fun and indulgent dishes during your travels.
Eat Mindfully
Eating too much rich food or rushing through meals is pretty normal and easy to do when you’re trying new things and experiencing exciting flavours. However, just because it’s normal and feels good in the moment, doesn’t make it a good idea. More mindful eating can help you savour your meals, enjoy them to the fullest, and avoid overindulging and ending up with an upset stomach.
Be present at meal times, chew carefully, enjoying every bite and focusing on the flavours and textures in your mouth. Pay attention to your body’s signals of hunger and fullness, and try to stop eating when you’re feeling satisfied rather than completely stuffed.
Establish a Solid Sleep Routine
When travelling across time zones, it can feel next to impossible to stick to a regular sleep pattern, but getting enough (quality) sleep is crucial for both your physical and mental health. Try to aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and do your best to adjust your wake-up and bedtime schedules as necessary to account for time zone shifts.
To achieve this, you’ll need to prioritize your sleep. Try to establish a calming evening routine that tells your body it’s time to unwind to encourage sleep. This could involve reading, having a warm bath, or trying to relax with meditation or deep breathing.
Stay Well Hydrated
Finally, remember that dehydration is incredibly common when people are travelling. This means that as a digital nomad, you’ll need to be on top of your water game 24/7.
Make it a habit to always keep a reusable water bottle with you, and make sure you stay hydrated all day. Add hydrating drinks like coconut water, and even electrolyte supplements to your day if you struggle to get enough water, and remember to drink a little extra on days that you’ve been out in the sun.
