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When working remotely as a nomad, you must prioritize your health for improved performance, efficiency, and overall wellness. However, many remote workers struggle with balancing screen time and productivity with other areas of personal life—making digital wellness an essential factor for a healthier lifestyle. As a previous post on digital wellness has covered, this can be achieved by strategies like learning to optimize your energy, practicing mindfulness, and setting aside time to disconnect.
Exploring the outdoors can also be a good way to reduce screen time and avoid digital fatigue, but nomads must still be aware of health risks while traveling. One of these is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which has been linked to an increased risk of developing various health conditions, including sunburn, inflammation, premature aging, photokeratitis, and even skin cancers. Since these risks not only hinder you from enjoying your vacation but can also affect your work and overall health, below are ways for outdoor-loving nomads to stay sun-safe throughout their travel adventures.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours
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Regardless of the outdoor activities you have planned, remember to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect you against UVA and UVB rays and minimize the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Among the top sunscreen brands in the market are Neutrogena, Blue Lizard, and Elta MD, with varying formulations to suit your skin type.
Even if you choose a water-resistant sunscreen, the SPF is only considered effective for about 80 minutes to two hours after application. So, don’t forget to reapply the product generously, especially on sun-sensitive areas like your face, neck, chest, arms, and legs.
Wear UV-protective sunglasses
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While sunscreen can shield your skin from sun damage, you also need sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV radiation, which is a risk factor for eye problems like photokeratitis (sunburn of the eyes) and cataracts. So, in the same way you wear blue light glasses for visual comfort during remote work, wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection to maintain your vision health while outdoors.
If you plan to do outdoor activities like driving, hiking, and surfing, consider buying some polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and improve visibility. Glasses.com has polarized options for a range of stylish and protective frames, such as the cat-eye TF442U sunnies from Tiffany and the aviator-inspired Grand Catalina from Costa. With many frame shapes and designs to choose from, you can try them on virtually to find a pair that suits you.
Look for clothing with UPF
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Lastly, your choice of clothing can significantly affect your protection from the sun. In addition to dressing appropriately for the weather, such as wearing lightweight fabrics when it’s hot and layering with outerwear for colder weather, look for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).
UPF can block up to 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays from penetrating the fabric and reaching the skin. The apparel brand Kuna Sportswear has released a collection of UPF50+ clothing, such as long-sleeved tops, with innovative designs like gradients and nature-inspired graphics. The clothes are also made of 100% polyester to balance comfort, breathability, and functionality when fishing, hiking, and doing other outdoor activities.
In addition to these sun-smart tips, invest in your health and safety as a digital nomad by staying connected to Nomad Internet, the fastest and most reliable rural and traveling internet in the United States. Explore the rest of our website to learn more about our services.
Article written by Sadie Gildon
