You were never one content to sit still. You’ve never been satisfied with the ordinary routine. You seem to have been born with wanderlust. And now you’ve found a way to live the dream, to savor the comforts of home, the fulfillment of work, and the joys of adventure all at the same time.
You’re living the life of a true digital nomad from your tiny house on wheels. But, even though it may be everything you had hoped and even more, that doesn’t mean it’s always perfect. There are issues to consider and precautions to be taken, particularly in regard to your health. Indeed, maintaining your health while living and working on the road takes some effort and more than a little bit of strategy, but it can be done. We’ll show you how.
Be Prepared
One of the first and most important things you can do when you’re striving to keep healthy in your tiny, traveling home is to make a plan. It’s critical to get your house in order, literally and figuratively, before you even set out on your travels.
That might start not with you, but with your tiny house. Ensure, for instance, that all home repairs are completed and all maintenance is up-to-date before you embark on your travels. A leaky roof, failing heat and air, or faulty plumbing will not serve your health well while on the road. If you want to keep well, you want to ensure you have a safe and healthy living environment for your home on wheels.
Once you ensure that your tiny house is in shape for the travels ahead, it’s time to do the same for yourself and your fellow travelers. Whether you’re adventuring alone or with family or friends, everyone should take the time to have a complete physical before setting out.
Purchasing travel medical insurance isn’t a bad idea, even if you have no pre-existing health concerns. You should also do a bit of research to identify the hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies along your route that accept your medical insurance. This way, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you have a plan, should the unexpected occur.
Create a Healthy Routine
If you want to live your best life as a digital nomad, maintaining a healthy daily routine is essential. This will give you the stability and predictability that you need for optimal physical and mental health.
For instance, a healthy daily routine will prioritize time for preparing and enjoying nutritious meals, getting sufficient physical exercise, and enjoying ample downtime. Ensuring that your daily routine makes it possible to cultivate a healthy work/life balance and maintain contact with friends and family, even at a distance, is essential for overall health.
Digital nomads are at significant risk of developing depression and anxiety, for example, because of the geographical distance between them and their loved ones. And this risk is often exacerbated by the inherent pressures of remote work, which can make you feel compelled to be always on duty because you can never truly leave your “office.”
When you have a clear, consistent daily routine, you’re increasing the odds that you actually will take, or make, the time to prioritize your physical and mental health. A critical component of this lies in setting boundaries in your work and personal life.
Let your loved ones know what your working hours are and stick to them, which means not taking personal calls, messages, or video chats during this time unless it’s an emergency. Above all, ensure that, no matter where you are, you have the technology you need to be productive, secure, and accessible.
At the very least, you’ll want to have stable, private, and fast Wi-Fi access, as well as a secure backup access point. Doing this can prevent a tremendous amount of stress and disruption, both of which can take a profound toll on your health.
Live the Life
As important as it is to minimize disruptions during your remote work day, it’s also crucial that you not allow your work life to overwhelm you or infringe on your downtime. Be definitive about your off-hours and ensure your clients and colleagues respect your personal time. Turn off your work phone and suspend your notifications until the start of the next scheduled business day. This will help you minimize stress, avoid overwork and burnout, and still maintain the productivity and performance you want on your job. And that will help keep you physically and mentally healthy, no matter where the road may take you.
The Takeaway
Living the life of a digital nomad from your tiny house on wheels can be incredibly rewarding, offering adventures and experiences that most people can only dream of. Maintaining your health while on the road, however, requires time, effort, and planning. Investing in your own wellness, though, will pay dividends as you undertake your next great adventure.
Image Source: Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/tiny-house-cabin-chalet-house-5984298/)