Regardless of whether you are working in the urban metropolis that is New York, hopping between different furnished rentals in Austin, Texas, or taking a chill work day along the sandy beaches of Miami, one thing is for sure: traveling between different time zones multiple times a year can be challenging to adjust to.
Here are a few top tips you can incorporate into your day-to-day living so that you can live happily as a digital nomad.
Make a routine and stick to it
The act of traveling, in itself, is a conscious decision to disrupt your life in one way or another. You step outside of your comfort zone every time you step into a plane. And if you are frequently going back and forth across different time zones, it is easy to feel like you no longer have any control over your time.
One way to help restore a sense of normalcy, no matter where you are, is to set a routine that is as close to your usual one as possible. You may choose to sleep and wake at the same times or eat your meals at the same intervals. These are small adjustments to your schedule, but they can make a difference when you are in a foreign country and looking for something familiar.
Keep in touch with other people and colleagues
One advantage to traveling so much around the world is that most of the time, you have the internet to keep you connected to everybody. So make the most of it!
To enrich your personal life, make sure your loved ones are always updated and set aside a little time each day to sync with them and check-in. You can message, send pictures, and even host a video call. When you are constantly in touch with your family and friends, a foreign place will become a little more welcoming.
When it comes to your career, schedule meetings in advance so that you can plan around them. Use calendar invites so your mental calculation can be verified and you know that everybody is on the same page. Communicate clearly and consistently so your team and your clients know how they can reach you and when you are available. Ultimately, one big stressor to navigating different time zones is working through an unexpected schedule change. Spare yourself, your colleagues, and your clients from those problems by planning ahead.
Remember to account for daylight savings time
Daylight savings may only involve moving the clock forward or backward one hour, but this can disrupt your schedule and cause a lot of confusion at work if you are not careful. This is why it is so important to plan. There are plenty of time zone layout maps and apps online that can help you keep an eye out for the shift in time, as well as the results of that shift.
Make time for yourself
Digital nomads often struggle to regulate their schedules. More often than not, we may find ourselves taking on as much work as we can. Many job opportunities in the digital sphere are uncertain and it is understandable if you feel like you need to save up as much as you can in case the worst happens. But don’t forget: you’re not just traveling to work in a different place. Travel is an opportunity to meet new people, see new places, and experience new things. Set aside a little time to roam around, participate in the nightlife, and enjoy yourself. You are no longer bound to a nine-to-five desk job, so make the most of it!
Preparing for different time zones
Central European and Central African Time Zones
These are the best time zones to interact and work with any client and team in the world. When you are just waking up, Australia is finishing its work day. And afternoons are when America starts its work day. You can get a head start on US-based clients and catch up with Australian-based teams seamlessly.
Southeast Asian Time Zones
Southeast Asia is a popular remote work destination, especially Thailand and Indonesia. You still have a few hours to sync up with clients from the US Pacific time zone; however, you may struggle to catch up with European time zones, especially if you start working at 8 am. At this time, it is already the middle of the night in Europe.
Creatives enjoy the flexibility of working in a Southeast Asian time zone because there is plenty of solitary time. This may be your ideal destination if you have jobs that allow for asynchronous work schedules. You can focus on innovating creative solutions instead of attending meetings and catering to messages, especially in the morning.
Latin America Time Zones
Countries in the Latin Americas are a good place to sync seamlessly with the North American economy and avoid any time zone obstacles. Mexico and the Caribbean are popular options because of their vibrant cities and low cost of living.
