Technology has meant that in recent years a new way of working has begun to be developed that allows professionals to carry out their activity completely remotely, on many occasions from cities or countries other than where their company is headquartered and without a residence fixed: they are digital nomads
They are usually community managers, influencers, youtubers, cameramen, translators, programmers, consultants, investors or teachers, but always with an important link to new technologies and willing to work from anywhere on the planet and with different companies even simultaneously.
Digital nomads have become an ideal for people around the world who have the goal of discovering new countries and not chaining themselves to a company. All this sounds very good, but the truth is that these professionals often suffer psychological problems that are unknown.
“Despite how attractive it can be to work independently and at your own pace, the flexibility of adjusting your hours to your needs, and the comfort of doing your job while discovering new places and experiences; There are several negative aspects or consequences of being a digital nomad”, says Andrea Vizcaíno Cuenca, psychologist and CEO of Policlínica Maio.
Vizcaíno highlights some of the aspects of this dark side of life as a digital nomad, such as the “lack of belonging and significance”, which he explains as follows: “When we spend a lot of time isolated or alone, we lose something basic for the emotional stability of the human being , the sense of belonging and significance. Feeling that we belong to a group and that we are important and mean something to that group”.
On the other hand, the psychologist points out the “difficulty in maintaining a stable routine” that digital nomads can suffer: “Constantly changing places and rhythms is exhausting and encourages us to become destabilized, since it prevents us from sticking to what we like.” it gives tranquility and calm (stable routines, stable ties and relationships, a home)”.
He also considers that the “work stress” that these professionals may suffer must be taken into account: “Digital nomads generally depend on independent work or temporary projects. This can result in unstable income and a lack of financial security in the long term, ”he analyzes.
However, Andrea Vizcaíno recalls that “it is important to keep in mind that this dark side is not universal and that it can vary from one person to another, but it is true that it must be known to break that idealized image.”
On the other hand, the psychology expert insists that “the feeling of loneliness can be accentuated for digital nomads”, and for this reason she gives reasons such as these: “You separate from your close circle – travel is common, and the lack of contact regular can increase this feeling-, you don’t take root -since you change your destination frequently, you don’t establish deep relationships- and you experience cultural and language differences”.
Unlike a traditional job, Vizcaíno points out that being a digital nomad can generate “difficulty in developing and maintaining deep relationships that last over time,” as well as “maintaining a routine that allows you to combine personal life and work life without putting your emotional health is at risk” and fall into a “lack of job stability and, with it, possible economic instability.”
Another of the impacts of this lifestyle is the problem of digital disconnection. In this sense, the psychologist explains that there can be a “deterioration of personal relationships” due to this phenomenon, since “being always connected and aware of digital devices affects the quality of ‘live’ relationships.”
It also causes us to lose “rest hours”, because we cannot set “clear limits on the use of devices, it leads us to put ourselves above rest time, among others”, in addition to generating “fatigue and stress” and a possible “dependence or addiction to technology” because “it fosters a bad relationship with technology, so that when we can’t make use of them we suffer withdrawal syndrome.”
Training is essential to detect these psychological problems that are arising from new forms of work such as digital nomads and that will be in great demand in the immediate future.
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