Desk posture solved | Issue #0004

Working in a coworking space might be the only option in some parts of the world if many café-owners get their way. Given the importance of a place to work for digital nomads, we took a look into the changing tide in some parts of the world after seeing our poll results last week (most of you use a coworking space, at least occasionally btw!).

We are also starting to see a few successful recipients of the DTV visa roll into town and will get some facts on it for you next week.

In this week’s issue:

👩🏽‍✈️ Digital nomad visas and where to get solid information
🧘‍♂️ Are you someone who sits at a desk most of the day?
 🎒 The most commonly spotted everyday backpack in Yellow
 📆 Fill your calendar while in Chiang Mai with these networks

Happy reading!

NEWS
Is café-working out and local coworking trending?

We ran a poll last week on the places you generally work from, and the sample showed that most work from a coworking space, at least occasionally.

That got us thinking about café-working culture, how people balance working, and if the needs of café businesses come into play at all. It is quite common in Southeast Asia to see remote workers in cafés, but unlike in other parts of the world, café owners are generally relaxed about it, or just not wanting confrontation if it isn’t what they want.

In Chiang Mai at least, many cafés call themselves coworking spaces, which is a green light for customers to use them as one.

Elsewhere, though, the widely reported backlash of what is considered over-tourism in some European countries is creeping into the digital nomad space too. Locals concerned over cost-of-living prices and the impact on their neighbourhoods and culture have taken action. One example is Portugal, which is now slowly becoming a former hotspot, has taken note of local reaction and is rolling back some of the main routes in for digital nomads.

At a more local level, NomadX reports of cafés throughout Europe cracking down on remote workers occupying their tables for hours. They are going to some extreme measures in some cases too.

On the other hand, coworking spaces are starting to pop up in places you really wouldn’t expect. While facilities such as Yellow are still popular, there is a trend in the US of more localised coworking as reported on Wired.com.

There are some positive takes from some serious investors in there on the future of coworking spaces.

WHAT ELSE…

🌏 More digital nomad visas than you think? There aren’t many visas actually named or that even target digital nomads, but that shouldn’t be where your search stops. Plenty of countries offer a visa that technically allows you to work remotely. Find out which might suit you best at Nomad Embassy.

🇹🇭 New entry requirements for Thailand: Getting into Thailand visa-exempt is going to change next year. Moving in line with many countries, the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) will include an automated passport scan as you enter, helping them track and screen visitors. You’ll need to pre-apply for the ETA before you arrive, so be prepared for it in 2025!

☕️ Is the new Starbucks CEO a digital nomad: What constitutes a digital nomad is up for debate for many, but there have been plenty of eyebrows raised over the man picked to re-energise Starbucks. He lives in and will be staying in California, yet the headquarters of the massive coffee shop chain is in Seattle. If you don’t know the geography, that’s a long flight to the office, so he’ll likely be at least a remote worker.

TRAVEL KIT
The go-to carry for digital nomads?

If there is one thing more important than the tech a digital nomad carries, it’s what they carry it in.

In any one day in your typical coworking space, you’ll see a wide variety of backpacks, shoulder bags, rolling suitcases, and even plastic grocery bags being walked in and out, protecting the gear that keeps them on the road.

The Nomatic 20l Travel Pack is perhaps now the most iconic day carry for digital nomads thanks to its big brother, marketing, its camera bag offering, and that it’s just a damn-good backpack.

There was a good 30-minute debate we were in recently around what makes the perfect backpack for the average nomad. Obviously, there is no real average and no real perfect, but the conclusion was that the Nomatic is the most versatile and mindfully built.

Get the specs and Amazon price here. For those in Thailand, Shoppee and Lazada are currently out of stock sadly...which perhaps proves its popularity! If you REALLY want it, Amazon usually finds a way to get things here.

If you know a better option - or in fact, any great kit that improves your digital nomad life - drop us an email at [email protected].

SPREAD THE WORD

Do you have friends who are digital nomads roaming the world? If you think they could use a quick weekly fix of what’s happening in their world, then share this link so they can get The Digital Nomad each week too.

Or, share it on your socials with the links at the top of this newsletter.

CHIANG MAI LEGENDS: 7 QUESTIONS
Tackling desk posture and common mobility myths

Most of you sit all day at a desk. Most of you also think at least a little about your posture, or your body might give you a nudge once in a while that all is not well. 

A lot of the aches and pains you suffer - and injuries it turns out - are going to be a result of the time spent at your keyboard. 

So, what can you do about it?

Well, you likely jump on Google, IG or YouTube and follow a stretching routine that promises to fix your posture. But, most thinking on stretching is outdated, mostly because research was only really conducted on it 10-15 years ago, so it is only now we can see medium-term results.

A familiar face around the gyms of Chiang Mai, mobility and rehab PT, Zin, is a constant student of the body and is one of only a handful of trainers in Thailand to learn and adapt to new thinking on how to keep mobile and flexible.

She trains everyone from competing bodybuilders to out-of-shape digital nomads, and we had a chat about the best advice she can give to avoid the problems “desk posture” causes. Here are the key takeaways.

• Basic static stretching without resistance rarely stretches the muscle. It stretches the ligaments, which is a major cause of injuries, and hunched shoulders.

• Dynamic stretching - stretching with resistance and/or movement - activates the muscle and stretches it.

• You need to activate the muscle if you want to stretch it.

• Avoid long-holding stretches - ligaments aren’t designed for it.

• Traditional static stretches feel good and provide temporary relief, but usually weaken the ligaments over time, increasing the likelihood of injury.

• You cannot solve a poor posture with static stretching. It will have developed over time and requires retraining the neural connection with the muscle.

• Re-training the brain (yes, neuroscience has proven vital to understanding this) with the correct movements is the key to better posture.

• Lift heavy to reduce injury threat. Within your controlled range of movement at least, which you can increase with consistent training.

• Foot strength (and in particular toes) is massively overlooked. Get a balance board and work out your feet - it will make a BIG difference to your alignment.

• Yoga - with specific techniques at least - and body-weight stretching are more effective than static stretching.

• That word, technique, is key. Get instruction from a qualified PT who understands dynamic stretching and can direct you with the right movements.

• Many professional athletes and bodybuilders have understood this for many years, and is why some avoid ligament injury when others are prone to it.

You can find Zin on her Facebook page, and if you are in Chiang Mai you can book a session with her to improve your mobility and combat “desk posture”!

COWORKING IN CHIANG MAI

If you are in the city, or heading over soon, then check out the current packages - from day passes to monthly or annual memberships - here.

Or, just get in touch with Mickey or the team at Yellow Coworking at [email protected].

BRAIN FOOD
What we’ve been recommended this week

Book: Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout; Cal Newport. In a recent procrastination workshop, host Alex spoke of the OG of productivity, Cal Newport, and we’ve since been pointed in the direction of his latest book.

Apps: Workfrom is a community-populated app and website that might help you if you are more of a café user or just need somewhere local you can quickly work from. Could be handy if you are on the move and need a quick table and wifi!

YouTube: Sergio Sala worked out of Yellow earlier this year and is planning on returning in the coming months, but does digital nomad-focused content for cities all around the world.

Drop us an email at [email protected] if you have any recommendations we should share!

CONNECT TO CHIANG MAI
Network and meet new friends in Chiang Mai

We are edging into high season and the events are ramping up as the population of digital nomads swells. Filling your calendar won’t be difficult!

Steve’s Email: A weekly resource and email for events around the city. See what’s on this week.

Digital Nomad WhatsApp: A long-standing community group that spawned a range of sub-groups for almost any niche and interest in the city. Check out the description at the top of the chat to find the range of other groups.

Yellow Coworking Telegram: For more about what is happening at Yellow and to be part of their conversation, join here.

This Business Exchange Workshop at the weekend will be a great way to network with some professionals while here in the city.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Yellow member Kel Corbett dropped this one into our inbox from his travels in Myanmar.

He recalls these two being ticket inspectors on this local bus in Yangon, apparently enjoying a little break in the journey around the city.

Kel has a wide-ranging portfolio and if you drop him a message, he might just take orders for prints.

Drop us an email with a photo from your travels, spectacular workplaces, or just you and new friends to [email protected].

QUIZ
What do you know?

Apple made their usual Autumn drop of new products last week, with the iPhone 16 the latest in the spotlight. Rank these models by screen size, from smallest to biggest:

• iPhone Max

• iPhone 12 Mini

• iPhone 15 Pro

• iPhone XS Max

• iPhone 6

• iPhone SE

• iPhone 13

Answers below.

COMMUNITY
Get seen by digital nomads everywhere

We would love to hear from you if you have some valuable knowledge, products, information, or just a fun or crazy digital nomad story.

This is an opportunity if you want some extra eyes on your content or product, just like to write, or love to share inside information to other nomads.

Drop us an email at [email protected] if you:

• have a travel blog, channel or platform that we can spotlight

• took a photo that can feature in our photo of the week

• have a product or service that could help other digital nomads

• know a great event or place in Chiang Mai we might have missed

• …just have a great digital nomad story!

NEXT WEEK

 🛂 How digital nomads are successfully applying for the DTV
☕️ The essential digital nomad fuel, uncovered by an expert
 🇹🇭 The top high-season spots to work from in Thailand

…and news and events we spot for digital nomads everywhere.

See you then.

ANSWERS
Check your knowledge…

iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 13

WHAT DID YOU MISS?

If you are new to The Digital Nomad, or just want to go back and read a previous issue, then you can find them all here.