10 Essential Tips for Digital Nomads: Boost Productivity, Work-Life Balance and Mental Health working from home

Andréa Faria
4 min readMay 8, 2023

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Brunette girl working from home typing in a desktop set with a notebook

While the digital nomad lifestyle can be incredibly rewarding, it does come with its own set of challenges.

From staying productive to maintaining a work-life balance, here are ten tips for digital nomads to help make the most of this work-from-home lifestyle.

1.Create a Comfortable Home Office Setup

Your home office is the center of your work-from-home universe, so it’s important to make sure it’s comfortable and ergonomically sound. Remember you might spend hours a day in this space.

Invest in a high-quality office chair, like the ZIK Office Chair that I have, to prevent back pain and neck strain.

Combine it with a practical desk, like the Movian Idro Desk, to complete your home office.

Of course, it depends on how much room you have available, but, if you can, avoid working on your dinner table (your back you thank you in the future).

2.Keep Your Workspace Organized

When working from home, it’s easy for your workspace to become cluttered and disorganized.

Set aside time each day to tidy up your home office, declutter your desk, and put everything back in its proper place.

This will help you stay focused and productive throughout the day.

3.Plan Your Workday

When working remotely, it can be easy to lose track of time and get sidetracked by distractions (moreover notifications from social media).

To stay on track, create a daily schedule and prioritize your tasks.

Use tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of your to-do list, and set reminders to keep you on schedule.

Personally, I use Google Calendar and the Outlook Calendar.

4.Take Breaks

Taking breaks throughout the day can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.

Make sure to step away from your desk at regular intervals, take a walk, or do some stretching exercises to recharge your batteries.

I like to stand up every hour.

Most importantly, bask in the sun at least 15 minutes a day.

5.Maintain a Work-Life Balance

One of the biggest challenges of remote work is maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Set boundaries between work and personal time, and try to maintain a consistent schedule.

This will help you avoid burnout and stay motivated throughout the day.

And don’t forget to exercise! Workout regularly is essential for phisical and mental health.

6.Make Time for Vacation Planning

As a digital nomad, you have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world.

Take advantage of this freedom by planning regular vacations to new and exciting destinations.

Set aside time to research your next vacation spot and make travel plans that align with your work schedule.

It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip. Visiting a city nearby can also be incredibly pleasant!

7.Invest in Your Mental Health

Working remotely can be isolating and stressful, so it’s important to invest in your mental health.

A book that works as nice guide Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. It’s a great reference to help you obtain good habits.

The other books that help me to organize my day-by-day with small changes in my routine were Atomic Habits and Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results (this last one, is my favorite).

Additionally, practice meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness techniques (like breathing exercises) to help reduce stress and anxiety.

8.Use the Right Tools

Working remotely requires the right tools to stay productive and efficient. Invest in a portable stand, like this one of Axties with eight angles that’s adjustable, ventilated, and portable, with ABS plastic and non-slip silicone, to use with your laptop, tablet, or mobile phone.

Combine it with a reliable wireless mouse like the Logitech M190 Wireless Mouse.

And to finish, like the Trust Taro Keyboard or a wireless model like this one from Trust Silent.

As a general tip, have less wires as possible in your desk. It helps to keep the space more neat.

9.Stay Connected with Colleagues

Remote work can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Stay connected with your colleagues by scheduling regular video chats, team meetings, and brainstorming sessions.

This will help you stay connected to your team and feel more engaged in your work.

Additionally, join communities of digital nomads that live near you or any communities of any other theme (like hiking, book clubs …).

10.Take Care of Your Eyes

Finally, working from home can be hard on your eyes, especially if you spend long hours staring at a computer screen.

Combat eye strain by taking regular breaks to rest your eyes, and use a gel eye pack like the Zequech Reusable pack to reduce puffiness and soothe tired eyes.

In conclusion, being a digital nomad can be an exciting and fulfilling way to work.

By following these ten tips, you can stay productive, organized, and balanced while enjoying the freedom of remote work.

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