It’s only a few generations ago that most people lived and worked in the same small geographical areas – plying their trades, raising families and socialising without venturing forth into the wider world.
Books and newspapers probably peaked their curiosity about cultures on the other side of the planet, but having the wherewithal or technology to actually experience them in person was a wild imagining.
However, with the advent of affordable air travel, the internet, mobile phones and laptops, it’s possible to work from anywhere on a range of projects – you could be volunteering for Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan while simultaneously studying an online degree with ARU Distance Learning.
The freedom and flexibility that this lifestyle offers are fantastic, but you still need to take care of yourself and guard against dangers.
With that in mind, here are three health and safety hacks for digital nomads.
- Get vaccinated
Before you head off abroad, check NHS vaccination advice to see if you need immunised against certain diseases.
Since you’re taking a long-term trip and might be spending time backpacking or in hostels, you’re slightly more at risk of some diseases – but the good news is that the health service can offer free shots for yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, cholera and a combined treatment for polio, diphtheria and tetanus.
- Get your gadgets insured
When you’re earning a living as a travel blogger and using your laptop every day or are venturing into remote areas where your phone could be your lifeline, you’ll need to be sure that you can have them repaired or replaced when things go wrong.
This means that getting specialist travel insurance that covers gadgets and tech for long-term trips is absolutely essential – check a comparison site like moneysupermarket.com for the best deals and make sure you’re registered before you step on a plane.
- Get a portable Wi-Fi hotspot
Without a reliable internet connection, your fancy laptop and snazzy mobile phone will be reduced to useless lumps of plastic and metal.
So if you want to keep in touch with your contacts, meet deadlines and earn an income during an extended global sojourn, picking up a portable Wi-Fi hotspot is a must.
There are several to choose from, so shop around, but the Boost Mobile ZTE Warp Connect, Verizon Jetpack Mifi 8800L and Reliance Router Hotspot are pretty good picks. Some of these devices work with SIM cards and costs vary, so pick what’s most convenient and matches your budget.
And voila! A hattrick of health and safety hacks that will send any digital nomad on their merry way around the world.
Take our advice on board to ensure that your radical sabbatical is a life-affirming experience – you can thank us later!
That’s our list! Please share your own digital nomad safety hacks in the comments section.
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