Simon realized he could see his shadow on the ocean floor. It took me a minute, but looking down from my board, I realized I could too – through eighteen feet of turbulent ocean water. So could Amara sitting next to us. We were the only people on this break, two hundred meters offshore from the Costa Rican jungle.

I had met Simon the day before at a bus stop in San Jose, which I had found after being lost for five hours. Analia, I had met two seconds after waking up that morning, as she was in the bunk next to me in our hostel. Simon, Analia, and I, along with many others in our hostel, were solo travelers, and I spent the next two weeks traveling Central America with similar people.

When I returned to the US, I realized again how good I feel mentally while traveling. Yes, it’s hard to be stressed sitting on a surfboard in Costa Rica. But what about when I had food poisoning for three days or was lost in Guatemala City, and nobody spoke English? Why was I more relaxed during those moments than in my everyday life? I thoroughly enjoy my job, but some days I still feel stressed and mentally foggy, especially as a remote worker.

Being slightly OCD, I decided to answer this question scientifically. The answer must lie in differences in my environment and behaviors while traveling. If I can determine these differences, maybe I can introduce them into my daily life. First, I’ll list the significant differences in my environment and my behaviors while traveling that could impact my mental health. Then I’ll review each and see how I can replicate it in my daily routine.

Differences

1. Spending most of the day outside.

In a hostel, the dorm rooms are inside, but usually, everything else (common area, kitchen, etc.) is at least partially outdoors. This ensures that even when I’m hanging out at the hostel cooking Ramen, I’m outside. Other than sleeping, 80% of my time is spent outdoors while travelling. 

2. Tons of (and sometimes too much) social interaction. 

The best way to describe social life in a hostel is like the first week of freshman year of college. Strangers combine to form friends in the course of a few days. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of, but it comes at a cost – endless social interaction. When I wake up, I’m with other people. Any time I’m in the hostel, I’m with other people. Being more introverted, it can get exhausting, but the environment has created some of the best memories of my life.

3. Blood is pumping.

Almost every day traveling, I do something exciting. On my last trip, I surfed, hiked a Volcano, swung on rope swings, wandered through markets, played countless rounds of beach/pool volleyball, rode the bus one too many times (cards and automobiles), and more. When traveling, whatever the day brings, it makes me feel alive. 

4. Lack of screens. 

I still struggle to get off my phone, even while traveling. This past trip, I went on my phone during the day about the same amount as when I was home. However, I didn’t look at the hypnotizing light of a computer or TV screen once. This reduced my screen time by about 8-10 hours daily.

I’d love to travel full-time, but unfortunately, I am not an Instagram model or travel influencer. I’m lucky enough to enjoy my job, so I need to take that and build off of it. Let’s see how I can introduce more of those traveling behaviors and environments into my everyday life while working remotely. 

Changes

1. Spend more time outside.

I need to shift my environment towards the outdoors. Recently I switched to a gym that is mostly outside, which I’ve loved, but I can still get out more. I started writing this article sitting on my couch in my chilled living room. Upon reaching my first point, I took my laptop and went out onto the roof.

2. Tons of social interaction. 

Currently, I hang out with my friends about 3-4 days a week. That feels good, but I should make plans with friends every day. I’ve learned that even when I don’t feel like it, social interaction is good for me. If I worked an in-person job, this would be much easier, but this is the nature of remote work. 

In college, I lived in a house with nine of my friends. At times I hated it (and them), but my current roommate and I always express how much we miss walking downstairs and seeing our friends whenever we wanted to. Life may not recreate that soon, but meeting up with friends daily is close enough for the “young adult” version.

3. Get the Blood Pumping.

Here are some things I love to do. They make me feel alive, clear my head, and relax me completely: Cliff diving, mountain biking, snowboarding, surfing, hiking, sports, and swimming in the ocean. 

When traveling, I usually do these activities daily. Unfortunately, some of them are location-dependent. Ex: Austin, TX, does not have the best surfing. I’ve been playing some random men’s league sports to compensate, but I’m heading back to San Diego in August of 2023.

One caveat- it’s taken most of my life, but I’ve learned to prioritize people over activities. One of my favorite memories of Central America was a game of Ride the Bus with a group of Australians during a day when I almost went off hiking alone. Sometimes it is great to do things alone (like this whole trip), but it’s better to do it with people, whether friends or strangers.

4. Less Screens. 

I’ll spend at least eight hours a day behind a computer during work. But, I can cut back on phone and TV. Both of those I usually use when I’m bored, so planning more activities with friends after work will help me cut back. Overall, I need to be more disciplined and get off my phone.

I can implement all four changes by doing an activity I love every day, outside, with friends. That’s my new goal. On days I can’t do that, I should do something outside by myself (like working out, which I prefer to do solo) and then see friends afterward. The two places I’m moving to next, San Diego and then Salt Lake City, are ripe with my favorite activities, and I have quality friends living there. Having friends in a location isn’t a requirement, but it can take a long time to build good relationships as a stranger in a new place. So I’m cheating a little.

I enjoy my job and am happy with my current life. But not as happy as when I am traveling. Hopefully, by intentionally introducing these environments and behaviors into my daily life, my mental clarity will reflect that of the Costa Rican water.

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