Digital nomadism provides workers with opportunities to break free from the usual nine-to-five routine. It lets you work from the comfort of your home, a cozy space, or even in another country where you can immerse yourself in diverse cultures. With this lifestyle, traveling workers can enjoy greater freedom with their time while having a reliable source of income. This flexible arrangement is why 11% of US workers now identify as digital nomads.
Setting up an effective remote work routine is crucial to ensure that you stay productive even when you’re exploring other parts of the world. This includes choosing a conducive working space, doing morning stretches to set the right mood, and time blocking to prioritize tasks throughout the day. Aside from these, taking care of your vision should be an integral part of your routine, especially since you’ll be staring at your screen for long periods. That said, here are some of the best eye health tips for digital nomads:
Update your prescription
Bringing your prescription glasses is important to provide vision correction while working away from home. That said, updating your eyeglasses prescription and putting blue light lenses to block the blue light that causes eye strain is essential to ensure tip-top vision. Online retailers allow you to choose various lenses, such as the Advanced Light Protection lenses that block UV rays and blue light and the Optimum Vision Performance lenses that sharpen vision. Updating and tailoring your prescription glasses for visual comfort lets you work efficiently without worrying about eye strain and poor eyesight.
Hydrate and moisturize the eyes
Surveys show that remote workers spend an average of 13 hours looking at screens daily, causing painful, dry eyes, which can hamper productivity. Although artificial tears can help lubricate the eyes, making sure you're hydrated is also important. To make this easier, you can use a smart water bottle that displays notifications to help keep track of your hydration goals. Make sure it has a leak-proof lid, which can be helpful for traveling workers who are always on the go. Drinking enough water promotes tear production in your eyes, keeping them moisturized throughout the day. But be sure to blink often as well!
Adjust your screen settings
Another way to care for your eyes while working remotely is by adjusting your screen settings. To help your eyes feel comfortable while working, adjust your screen brightness according to your preferences – not too dim or bright so you can still read properly. You can also enable the blue light filter on your computer by opening your settings, clicking display, and then enabling night light. For Mac users, select system preferences, click display, and then toggle to the night shift option. Working with optimal screen settings can help digital nomads work productively without sacrificing vision comfort.
Choose a workspace with proper lighting
Hopping from one workspace to another is part of the digital nomad lifestyle. While it provides excellent flexibility, it’s still essential to consider workspace lighting to avoid eye fatigue. Inadequate lighting can lead to eye strain, so be sure to find the perfect spot to get proper lighting. If you plan on working in a coffee shop, try securing a table perpendicular to the windows to help you have natural light while minimizing glare. If you’re working in a closed space, avoid a spot directly below harsh overhead lighting to avoid screen reflections.
Being a digital nomad allows you to enjoy the benefits of a flexible work setup that lets you fuse work with travel. Just be sure to follow these eye health tips to preserve your vision while you’re working away from home. To stay connected while you work on the go, make sure to check out plans from Nomad Internet.
Article written by Sadie Gildon