Mental Health Impact of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
The digital nomad lifestyle offers unparalleled freedom and adventure, but it also comes with unique mental health challenges that are often overlooked. While the lifestyle can be exciting, the constant movement, cultural adjustments, and lack of a stable routine can lead to feelings of isolation, burnout, and anxiety. Here’s an in-depth look at these challenges and strategies to manage them:
1. Isolation and Loneliness
- Challenge: Digital nomads often find themselves without a steady community. While meeting people in new locations is common, it can be difficult to form lasting, meaningful connections, leading to feelings of isolation. Check out my 18 tips to beat loneliness as a digital nomad.
- Solution: Make it a priority to connect with other digital nomads or locals in each destination. Coworking spaces, online communities, and nomad meet-ups can provide social interaction and help build a sense of belonging. One tool I personally recommend that is intentional about socializing abroad is Hostelworld. Additionally, scheduling regular calls with friends and family can help maintain a feeling of connectedness.
Check out my blog on how to make friends and build community while traveling
2. Burnout and Work-Life Balance
- Challenge: With flexible schedules and new places to explore, digital nomads often struggle to balance work and leisure, which can lead to burnout. The temptation to work longer hours to sustain travel can blur the line between work and personal life.
- Solution: Establish a consistent daily routine, including dedicated work hours, breaks, and leisure time. Creating a workspace, even in temporary locations, can help reinforce boundaries. Tools like time-blocking apps can assist with structuring the day and ensuring adequate rest.
3. Anxiety from Uncertainty
- Challenge: The lack of a permanent home base can trigger anxiety related to uncertainty. Navigating different cultures, language barriers, and logistical issues (e.g., visas, currency exchanges) can amplify stress.
- Solution: Planning ahead is key to managing anxiety. Research destinations before arrival, including factors like Wi-Fi reliability, safety, and amenities. Building a “travel buffer” (extra savings, an emergency contact network, or flexible tickets) can ease anxiety about sudden changes.
4. Maintaining Well-being on the Road
- Strategy: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as meditation, journaling, or exercise. Simple habits, like setting aside time each morning to reflect or exercise, can ground you, making transitions to new locations smoother.
- Tip: Seek out digital nomad-friendly locations that offer nature or fitness opportunities, which can improve physical and mental well-being. Many nomads find a home base for a few months in such places to recharge between more rigorous travel periods.
Check out my blogs about mental health and traveling
By actively addressing these mental health challenges, digital nomads can build resilience, maintain well-being, and fully enjoy the unique benefits of their lifestyle.
Careers and Freelance Opportunities for Digital Nomads
Certain careers lend themselves especially well to remote work, offering both flexibility and demand in the global job market. If you’re considering digital nomadism, explore these fields to determine what might align with your skills and goals. For a more detailed guide, check out our in-depth blog on digital nomad career opportunities. Here are some top options:
- Software Development: With the high demand for developers across industries, remote coding and software jobs are abundant. Skills in popular programming languages and frameworks can open doors to full-time, freelance, and project-based opportunities.
- Digital Marketing: Roles in SEO, content creation, social media management, and PPC advertising allow for remote flexibility and often only require a laptop and internet connection. Many companies, from startups to established brands, seek digital marketing expertise.
- Online Teaching/Tutoring: Platforms for teaching English or offering specialized courses in subjects like math or music have made online teaching a popular choice. ESL certifications or experience in a specific subject area can increase your earning potential.
- Graphic Design: Designers can work from anywhere, creating visuals for brands, websites, and social media. Mastery of tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, paired with a strong portfolio, can attract freelance and contract work.
Explore more in the detailed blog for practical tips on breaking into these fields and growing a remote career.
Check out the video!
Today we’ll be going over the comprehensive list of pros and cons to being a digital Nomad. This is based on my experience over the years, and I also scoured the internet for additional ideas from other articles.
I saw that there were themes in both the pros and cons so I’ll go through each “theme” and how it can be positive, but also how it can be negative.
Pro’s Of Being A Digital Nomad
- Quality Of Life
- Exploration – you get to explore new stuff all the time! Your brain literally gets habituated to your surroundings when you’re at home, you may drive by a beautiful park or see an amazing sunset, but if you’ve seen those settings 100 times then you’re unlikely to pay much attention to it.
- This phenomenon is actually works when you go back home as well, you have a much greater appreciation of home after you’ve been gone for a bit. I live 6 – 8 months of the year in Denver and I know I enjoy Denver when I get breaks from it.
- Adventure – This plays largely into the exploration piece, but can’t be underestimated that adventurous kid in us absolutely loves seeing and experiencing new things.
- Simplicity – There is a calming effect of living your life out of 1 or 2 backpacks. Call it mindfulness or whatever you want to call it, but it’s a palpable feeling of being at ease not having so many physical things to worry about.
- Flexibility in schedule – You can pick you want to work, which is WAY better than driving to some office and sitting there all day until you’ve worked long enough to deserve the chance to go back home, fuck that….
- Freedom of expression – As anyone who has been following me knows a big part of why I started my journey was because at my last job I was told if I wore a specific Hawaiian shirt again I would likely be fired. Now (outside of some client meetings) I wear whatever the hell I want!
- Exploration – you get to explore new stuff all the time! Your brain literally gets habituated to your surroundings when you’re at home, you may drive by a beautiful park or see an amazing sunset, but if you’ve seen those settings 100 times then you’re unlikely to pay much attention to it.
- Quality Of Traveling
- You can travel longer – no need for explanation here
- Friends, Family & Connections
- It’s easier to make friends with other travelers, both of you have your guards down again in a foreign country, you both will at least have something interesting to talk about in your interest in the country you’re in. You can meet people from all over the world this way, and the connections you make can be super intense super quick.
- Spending more time in the country means it’s also easier to make friends with the people who live there as well
- Money / Finances
- You can make more $ – in many cases as a freelancer, entrepreneur or even full time employee you can make more money working remote than you would in an office!
- You’re money can go further – if you pick the right countries you’re money can go WAY further
- Less Materialism – most nomads are forced to live a somewhat spartan lifestyle. If being less materialistic is a goal of yours it’s usually a necessity as a digital nomad.
- No Office / Boring Routine
- Less Office Politics – less bullshit to put up with in the office
- No Commute! – No explanation needed for this one
- Learning & Growth
- Growing as an individual – You’re not tied to the character you’ve tried to convey to everyone back home. When you meet people they aren’t expecting you to act or say the things you always act and say, so it’s easier to work on parts of your personality you’re not as happy about.
- You’ll also be forced to take on your personal biases, which makes you more understanding of others at home (or at least it should, I’m still not very good with this haha)
- Learning foreign languages – As someone who has stumbled through a number of foreign languages it’s easier to learn the language when you’re living in a country that speaks it.
- Self discipline – I have had to learn a lot of self discipline creating my own schedule and not having anyone breathing over my neck.
- Self reliance – You inevitably get better at problem solving, the issues you would take to someone else to help out with you’ll largely end up tackling yourself.
- Introspection from being alone – I’ve become way more introspective working remote, I’m definitely still chalked full of all kinds of problems, but I feel like I’ve become more aware of them with all the time spent alone.
Con’s Of Being A Digital Nomad
- Quality Of Life
- It can be hard to separate work from home or your vacation
- There is one day in particular where I remember working a 16 hour day in a hotel in Mexico. Not everyone’s idea of a fun trip…
- People not understanding you – If you’re a majority in the country you grew up in it can be difficult feeling different than everyone else and that no one understands you. I spent a year in Vietnam and after a while I realized that it didn’t matter how good my Vietnamese got, how few western people I hung out with, I was always never going to be Vietnamese and I would always be treated differently, that can be a tough pill to swallow.
- Everything is a little bit harder in a foreign country – ATM’s not working, dealing with language barriers, paying rent. A lot of things that aren’t super difficult in your home country can become a nightmare somewhere abroad.
- Lots of uncomfortability – This builds on my point above, you’re going to be uncomfortable a lot and that can take a toll.
- Routines – It’s hard to get into routines, and as much as that keeps things exciting it can feel a bit like your scatter brained and all over the place, especially when you’re trying to fit work into the picture.
- It can be hard to separate work from home or your vacation
- Quality Of Traveling
- You’re tied to WIFI! You can’t totally go off the grid for too long, or those electronic payments you’re getting are going to disappear 😂 . Side note, Solis Hotspot is a pretty sweet tool I used for years with pretty great wifi coverage around the world!
- You still gotta work man!
- If you’re traveling with people who aren’t working remote they might get pissed / not understand
- Friends, Family & Connections
- Isolation / loneliness can certainly become an issue if you’re on the road often
- You’re not going to be as close to your family & friends back home
- You may miss big milestones in your friends and family’s life, milestones that will never happen again.
- Dating and relationships are going to be easier if you stay in one place, traveling around can make it tougher, not impossible but certainly more difficult.
- Money
- Unpredictable income – while this isn’t true in all cases, when you’re freelancing / working for yourself your income can be much more variable than it would be in an office 9 – 5.
- No Office / Boring Routine
- I always tell people if there’s one thing I miss from working in an office, it’s Christmas Parties. Really what I mean by that is having a community of people that you’re tied to, that you do fun things with. A group that is outside of longtime friends, and that you can vent about work with. For a while I worked at a startup in downtown Denver, and we’d regularly go out to the bars that were a block or two away in the afternoons and hangout and talk, and I look back on that fondly.
- Learning / Growing
- While getting married, having kinds and buying a house can absolutely still be done, it is going to be much more difficult pulling these things off if you’re on the road regularly.
FAQ: Digital Nomad Lifestyle
Is it worth becoming a digital nomad?
If it fits your personality yes it’s absolutely worth-it yes. For people who prefer security over freedom, I think it may be a bad idea. However, you also don’t need to be a full-time digital nomad you can be a slowmad too.
What is a disadvantage of being a nomad?
One key disadvantage is the potential for loneliness, as it can be challenging to form deep connections or maintain relationships while constantly moving. Additionally, managing logistics (like visas, Wi-Fi, and healthcare) can become exhausting over time.
Is 30 too old to be a digital nomad?
Not at all! I’m currently 33. Many people start their digital nomad journey later in life. Age isn’t a barrier; what matters more are personal goals, job flexibility, and readiness for a less conventional lifestyle.
What are the advantages of being a digital nomad?
Some key advantages include location independence, exposure to new cultures, and the opportunity to create a more flexible work-life balance. You can often live in lower-cost destinations and experience more personal freedom than in a traditional job setup.
How do digital nomads get paid?
Digital nomads typically earn income through remote jobs or freelance work. Payments are usually managed via international transfer services like PayPal, Payoneer, or direct deposits, depending on the employer or client.
What jobs can I do as a digital nomad?
Many careers suit digital nomadism, including software development, digital marketing, online teaching, graphic design, writing, and more. Read more in our digital nomad career guide.
What are the problems with digital nomads?
Common problems include feelings of isolation, difficulty with work-life boundaries, and navigating legalities in different countries. Financial instability is also a risk for freelancers and entrepreneurs without a steady income.
What is the daily life of a nomad?
Daily life varies widely depending on the location, job, and personal goals. Typically, digital nomads work a few hours in a coworking space or café, explore local sites, and take time for personal interests. Many aim to balance productivity with experiencing their surroundings.
Is being a digital nomad lonely?
Yes, loneliness can be a significant issue for digital nomads. Constant movement makes forming long-lasting friendships difficult. However, some manage this by staying in places longer, joining nomad communities, or using coworking spaces to meet people.
How much money do I need to be a digital nomad?
The required budget depends on your destination, lifestyle, and income expectations. Generally, having savings of 3-6 months’ worth of expenses is recommended for emergencies, and many nomads budget around $1,000–$3,000 monthly, depending on the location.
How do nomads get mail?
Mail services like Earth Class Mail and virtual PO boxes provide digital nomads with a physical address where they can receive and manage their mail remotely. Some rely on friends or family for important mail forwarding.
How many hours does a digital nomad work?
Work hours vary by job. Full-time remote workers may work a traditional 8-hour day, while freelancers and entrepreneurs may have more flexible or variable schedules. Many digital nomads aim to work fewer hours to enjoy their travel experiences, though it often depends on their financial goals.
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