The technologies that have made us more tightly interconnected have made it possible to work further apart. With more jobs allowing for remote work, it’s increasingly feasible for people to live and work almost anywhere.

Thanks in part to this dynamic, there’s been an explosive rise in digital nomads—people who work remotely while travelling to different locations around the world. 

The number of digital nomads has more than doubled since 2019, and even whole families are starting to take advantage. Countries have noticed and begun introducing specific nomad visas.

The lifestyle of a nomad is sure to make others envious. Travelling to new places, freedom and flexibility, meeting new people and taking on new experiences. 

That’s not to say it doesn’t come with its own difficulties, from the general complications of travel to staying motivated and working hard when distractions and novelty abound. 

It’s not for everyone. However, something about the lifestyle of a digital nomad is particularly appealing to those with ADHD. It aligns with their unique cognitive and emotional requirements.

Let’s explore the benefits of a nomad lifestyle, and why it’s such an attractive opportunity for someone with ADHD.

Stimulating Environments

The first thing to note is the power of our environment. Certain environments (including other people) are more conducive to concentration, ideation, relaxation, or distraction. 

There are a number of advantages to the movement inherent in travelling and working from different places.  Most of this is due to the dynamic variability of places, there’s always something new. 

Choosing the Right Spot

Environments that are overly repetitive or lack stimulation can lead to boredom and a loss of focus, making it difficult for individuals with ADHD to maintain attention.

The mental stimulation of new places and experiences as you travel offers a steady supply of variety, which can help maintain interest and engagement.

Of course, environments that are loud, chaotic, or visually cluttered can be overwhelming, making it harder to concentrate. There’s an ideal balance to be struck. 

Fortunately, many cities—especially those where digital nomads are common—have co-working spaces and areas designed for remote workers to get stuff done. 

The big advantage of life as a digital nomad is being able to pick your spot, to find the right balance between novelty and familiarity, quiet and dynamic, that works best for you. 

Physical Activity

Regular movement and exercise do wonders for your mental health. It improves focus, memory, learning, mood, and reduces hyperactivity. That’s in addition to all the benefits to your physical health. 

It is very difficult to be a digital nomad without engaging in some physical activity. Travelling to and exploring new places involves getting the legs moving. 

There is of course a wide variety of activity levels people engage in as they travel—some prefer more sedentary options, like lounging by a pool or sitting in cafes. Others like adventure travel, going hiking outdoors, and exploring as much as possible.

It’s better to be on the more adventurous, active side. This should require less motivation than it would at home—unforseen places and experiences are more interesting than the overly familiar. 

Even better, find other nomads or locals who enjoy going for walks, doing yoga, playing sports, or other physical activities. Many popular nomad destinations have people who regularly organise these types of activities.

Social Connection

We need social interaction on a deep level, we are social creatures, and while the internet provides many opportunities for writing or talking with others, it lacks something that in-person interaction provides.

This could be a problem for someone who works remotely, as the inherently online world may lack the types of social interaction needed, taking a significant toll on emotional well-being and amplifying feelings of restlessness. 

But adding travel and new environments to the mix is likely to inspire greater social exposure, just as it encourages physical activity. 

The global nature of digital nomadism gives you a chance to discover a variety of different cultures and communities, providing plenty of opportunities for diverse social interactions.

Working in co-work spaces or cafes, staying in hostels or co-living spaces, going to social events and networking, make digital nomadism a social lifestyle despite online work. 

Creative Freedom

While digital nomadism relinquishes the traditional notion of a workplace, making for more dynamic and variable workplaces and environments, it also has a tendency to allow for more flexible hours and work more generally.

This will depend on the job—if you work for a remote company, then the level of flexibility will be determined by their requirements, but if you are an ADHD solopreneur and run your own online company, your nomad journey will be full of freedom.

Flexible Schedule

Traditional 9-to-5 jobs inherently require a structured routine, but people with ADHD often experience difficulties with this type of organisation and time management. 

Digital nomadism, particularly for those who run their own business, allows for much more autonomy over work schedules and organisation. 

This gives you the chance to work during your most productive times, to work in shorter bursts or for longer stretches when you’re inspired, and to take breaks when you need them.

It also makes it much easier to go out and explore at the best times of the day, or to take part in interesting activities when they are scheduled. 

Business Options 

There are more and more opportunities for remote work. Companies are increasingly allowing people to work from anywhere, and the internet has—and still is—making online business easier to start and run successfully. 

You may already have a job or run an online business, or you might be in the ideation and contemplation period, in which case you’re faced with a long list of possibilities.

This gives you the chance to choose something that truly aligns with your interests and strengths. 

You can get creative and find unique ideas, experiment and innovate with different products, and find the most viable options while ensuring you enjoy the process. 

Greater Hyperfocus

Riding on the back of the flexible schedule and variety of business options is the potential for more frequent flow and hyperfocus experiences. 

When you can work when you work best, and focus on those things that you are most passionate about, your attention and motivation will be captured and your productive output will increase dramatically (better word).

This is great for both your business and your mental health. 

Flow experiences are some of the most positive and highly-rated states of consciousness available, and the autonomy and creative freedom of being a digital nomad puts you in a position to take full advantage.

Some Common Difficulties For ADHD Digital Nomads

There are, of course, some potential drawbacks and pitfalls to a digital nomad lifestyle that require navigating. 

While flexibility is a benefit most of us enjoy, the lack of a consistent routine can also be a challenge, as it may lead to difficulties in maintaining organisation and staying on top of tasks.

Without the structure of a traditional job, managing time effectively can be difficult, leading to procrastination or challenges in meeting deadlines. 

Also, constantly changing environments can introduce not just novelty but distraction, making it harder to maintain focus and productivity.

Then there can be the uncertainty and variability in income that often comes with freelancing or self-employment, which can be stressful and may even exacerbate anxiety.

However, you can still thrive on your digital nomad journey with a few precautions and practical strategies:

• Establish a flexible but consistent routine, dedicating certain hours for deep work—find those that work best for you.
• Use digital tools like task managers, Pomodoro timers, and calendar apps to streamline your workflow and keep projects on track. 
• Minimise distractions by designating workspaces in new locations, such as co-working spaces or particular cafes, and find a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. 
• Make sure you have some basic financial planning strategies like holding an emergency fund and diversifying income streams, so you won’t stress too much during the earlier stages or any down periods.

Becoming a Digital Nomad With ADHD

There’s a reason why so many people are turning to digital nomadism, and why it’s particularly attractive to people with ADHD. 

The freedom and creative flexibility in work, coupled with the adventure and exploration of new places, offer the autonomy and mental stimulation to capture interest and drive performance and productivity. 

Different people will have their own ideal levels of consistency and flexibility, novelty, challenge, relaxation, and social activity.

The key is to experiment and iterate towards the form of the nomadic lifestyle that fits your strengths and personality. There is no one type of digital nomad, you have the chance to create your own.