The importance of routine is essential to staying productive as a digital nomad. Arriving in a new country disrupts our habits. New smells, flavors, language, climate… It’s exactly what we’re looking for when we travel!
However, establishing a gentle but strict routine will help you stay on track. This way, you can make the most of your stay both personally and professionally. We provide you with all the information here to help you find the right routines and thrive fully!
What are the benefits of routine on the mind?
When traveling to a new country, the importance of routine becomes evident. Indeed, all our senses are disrupted. Our brain tries to absorb as much information as possible about this new environment.
We often want to see and do everything to make the most of it. It happens that in the first few days, we live a bit without schedules and without organization.
While it is true that breaking the routine and not planning anything can be beneficial for a certain time, like during vacations, in the long term, the opposite happens. Without establishing daily habits, instability can become burdensome for morale.
Habits and the brain
Without routine, the brain is faced with a multitude of decisions to make constantly: Should I visit the historic center this morning or after lunch? Should I check my social media before writing my article or after I finish?
This is where the importance of routine comes into play. By relieving yourself of the hundreds of micro-decisions we make every day, you will gain serenity and peace of mind. Your mind will be more free to indulge in creativity and imagination.
By establishing a daily schedule routine, your brain will know in advance what is planned for the next step of the day. Thus, it will be more relaxed and therefore more productive, as it will not need to be in constant “adaptation” mode.
Allowing the brain to rest is essential for better clarity and mental health.
The importance of routine for well-being
The concept of routine corresponds to habits and structuring of time. This is unique to each individual.
Travel, just like entrepreneurship, is a self-discovery. Take the time to get to know yourself well, to find the routine that will best suit your needs.
Do you feel full of energy and ready to conquer the world at 5 am? You can dedicate your morning to work and your afternoon to leisure. Make sure not to go to bed too late to get the necessary hours of rest.
Do you have trouble waking up in the morning, but your mind is filled with creative ideas in the evening and you are super focused? That’s perfect too. Take advantage of the mornings for visits and exploration and schedule your work hours for the afternoon.
By finding your natural rhythm, you will be able to feel good with an adapted routine, regardless of the country you are in.
You can also establish a daily routine in your yoga and meditation practice. This will help you refocus on your feelings, regulate your bodily functions, and quickly find quality sleep. It will also help reduce stress and recover from jet lag.
Allocate time to eat healthily. The advantage of having your own time is being able to organize yourself. No more hastily eating a sandwich during your lunch break at the office! The importance of routine in meal times is fundamental for the proper balance of your digestive functions. A balanced diet plays an important role in mood and stress management.
Practice self-compassion. Focus your attention on all the positive things you have accomplished in your day.
Work habits and productivity
There is no one-size-fits-all formula to determine the work routine that will be most suitable for you. The essential thing is that you feel good and balanced with the schedules you choose, and that you stick to them.
The importance of routine in your work is crucial when you are a digital nomad. Your mind needs to be free and calm in order to concentrate and not be overwhelmed by numerous thoughts. This way, you can give your best!
Remember to take regular breaks (5 minutes every hour) to take a few steps, stretch, and move a little. Far from being a waste of time, taking breaks increases your productivity.
Quick tip: I recommend preparing your workday for the next day every day. While it is true that after several hours of work, we want to disconnect, it will save you precious time the next day. A to-do list preparing your important tasks will help you stay focused as soon as you turn on your computer!
Here’s an example of a daily work routine, find yours!
- Wake up at the same time every day
- Do a yoga and meditation session
- Have a healthy breakfast
- Turn on your computer and check your emails.
- Only respond to the more important messages and leave the others aside
- Start your prepared to-do list from the previous day
- Time for focus and work on your core tasks
- Healthy lunch
- Time for administrative tasks: accounting, quotes, prospecting emails, replying to emails…
- Prepare your to-do list for the next day
- Disconnect. Turn off your computer and make room for your personal life!
I recommend practicing a small end-of-day ritual to properly mark the separation from your personal life.
Finding the balance between work and personal routine
In a nomadic life, the importance of routine is essential to create a balance between leisure, work life, and social life. This allows you to fully experience each moment. Otherwise, it is easy to keep your head in work without truly disconnecting. Or, on the other hand, to be tempted by surfing sessions or lazing on the beach, forgetting that you are not on vacation!
It is important to find a balance between a professional life and a life of exploration and adventure. While it may be tempting to procrastinate your professional obligations to explore the beautiful city where you just arrived (and we understand you!), remember that the only way to extend your life as a digital nomad as much as you want is to generate regular income
What’s the point of admiring a beautiful historical site if you’re thinking about the emails you should have sent this morning? How can you enjoy a sunset if your mind wanders to the quotes you need to do?
Planning and organizing your days will help you achieve your professional goals while enjoying the country you are in. Remember that there is a time for everything!
“Everything is possible for those who dream, dare, work, and never give up.”
Xavier Dolan
Time for work
By clearly defining your work hours (and sticking to them), you will be less tempted to get distracted. Some tips to stay focused:
- Try to be realistic about the tasks you can accomplish in a day
- Put your phone on silent mode or keep it away from you to limit digital distractions. Disable unnecessary notifications
- Start with the longer and more tedious tasks while your brain is fresh and available
- Use project management and time planning applications to avoid getting scattered
Create space for your personal life
The importance of routine in your personal life is also worth considering in your life as a digital nomad. By defining your personal life time, you will be able to enjoy these moments with peace of mind.
Now is the time to explore the country! Cultural visits, enjoying the surrounding nature, bathing in paradise-like beaches, strolling through beautiful streets… Having access to dream-like settings is undoubtedly one of the advantages of digital nomadism!
You can also do some research to find a yoga practice center where you can attend during your stay.
These moments are essential to recharge your batteries and avoid exhaustion or burnout.
Disconnect completely! Goodbye clients, emails, web colleagues, networks… Make the most of your personal time for yourself, to indulge, recharge, and do things that make you feel good.
Make room for spontaneity
Because in life, we can’t plan everything (and that’s perfectly fine!), leave some free time in your week to experience whatever life brings your way.
Perhaps someone will propose a hike in the surrounding mountains that will lead to an evening by the bonfire with guitars? Or maybe you’ll be invited to a meal with locals?
Don’t hesitate to give yourself time to do nothing without feeling guilty. Travel, as wonderful as it is, requires energy. If you feel like chilling in pajamas and watching a series, give yourself the right to do so!
How to combine routine and social life?
When you travel solo and work at the same time, you can quickly find yourself spending long periods alone. Unlike a typical life in our city, where you just need to send a few messages to see friends, having a fulfilling social life can be more challenging when you are traveling.
To break this loneliness, there are many options. Let’s look at a few:
- Get into the habit of going to a coworking space. A good way to meet other digital nomads and expand your professional network.
- Find a nice coffee shop to work in. Having a routine doesn’t mean you can’t change places. A cozy and pleasant environment will motivate you to get to work.
- Participate in local events and meet-ups, to exchange ideas and share experiences.
- Visit a yoga practice center. Ideal for continuing your practice and sharing moments with people who have similar interests as you.
Don’t forget that you are not alone! More and more women travel solo. You can allocate some time to explore when you arrive in a new destination to find places where you can feel comfortable.
By creating these small habits during your stay, you will be able to easily meet people and get to know inspiring individuals who share your values.
In conclusion, the importance of routine for digital nomads is essential. It will bring you personal and professional well-being. Take the time to listen to yourself to find the routine that is unique to you. Incorporate habits into your daily life that make you feel good to gainserenity and productivity.
And you, are you more of a routine team or an improvisation team? Do you have other routines that work for you? Share your ideas with us in the comments below!
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