When you’re a self-employed freelancer, it’s easy to forget to look after your health and wellbeing when freelancing. As you constantly search for new clients and projects, you leave little time to relax and de-stress, which results in fatigue, tension, and even demotivation. But, as you will learn in this post, there are many wonderful yet easy ways to de-stress when freelancing, which will improve your productivity and boost your mental wellbeing. Let’s take a look at seven examples now.
1. Set ‘office hours’ for your clients
When seeking to alleviate stress, prevention is critical. It’s wholly unsustainable to expect to respond to client queries and messages 24/7, as everyone needs a break. As a freelancer, you need to set boundaries so your clients know when they can get in touch with you. This is even more important when you work across several time zones, as your schedule might not be in sync with that of your clients. By mentioning on your profile that you can be contacted between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Saturday (GMT), for instance, your clients are aware of your boundaries. But more importantly, it gives you permission to switch off and focus on other activities, some of which we introduce below.
2. Enjoy tech-free days
Most freelancers spend many hours almost every day of the week sitting in front of computer screens, tablets, and smartphones. This is an unavoidable aspect of freelancing during your working hours, but too much screen time is bad for your health. On your days off, consider going tech-free to allow your mind and body to refresh. Leave your smartphone in your office and head out into the real world. Whether you read a broadsheet newspaper or book, go for a walk in your local park, or head to the bar to catch up with your buddies, a tech-free day will leave you feeling reinvigorated and ready to get back to work the following day.
3. Treat yourself to spa days
Few things in life are more relaxing and stress relieving than spa days. The problem is, people often see them as overly indulgent and only ever arrange them on special occasions. In reality, there’s nothing wrong with organizing a spa day every month to revitalize your health. Arrange a full body massage, luxuriate in the steam room and sauna, and treat yourself to a healthy meal prepared by the on-site chefs. While it’s undoubtedly indulgent, don’t forget how hard you’ve been working! You’ve earned the right to treat yourself, so don’t feel bad about doing it correctly.
4. Incorporate a daily walk into your routine
Research shows that walking promotes the release of endorphins, which stimulate relaxation and improve your overall mood. Hop out of bed a little earlier every morning and go for a brisk walk before you sit down at your desk. You will be amazed at how much sharper your focus is and how much easier it is to concentrate. The same is true at the end of the day. When you close your laptop after completing your daily workload, head out for some fresh air to unwind. You can spend thirty minutes or so contemplating how the day has gone and releasing any stress before returning home and enjoying the rest of your evening.
5. Plan date nights with your partner
If you’re currently in a relationship, get into the habit of planning date nights with your partner. Spending time with the person you love is a great way to relax and unwind after a stressful day at your desk, as you can laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Whether you head out for a posh meal at your favourite restaurant or snuggle up on the sofa with popcorn in front of Netflix, a well-planned date night can be an excellent way to de-stress. It also gives you something to look forward to throughout the day and will make your working hours pass relatively quickly.
6. Explore the pleasure of podcasts
While many people enjoy sitting back in front of the TV after finishing work for the day, it can get a little boring after a while. Swapping the PC screen for the TV screen is also not good for your health. Consider listening to podcasts as a viable alternative. You can plug your headphones in and listen to your favourite hosts, enjoy fascinating interviews, and even listen to fictional audio shows that are just as engaging as TV dramas. One of the great things about listening to podcasts is that you can do other things simultaneously, be it household chores, exercise, or walking the dog. Podcasts also enable you to switch off and immerse yourself in another world, which is a great way to unwind.
7. Luxuriate in nature
Wherever you live in the world, make an effort to head out into nature during your free time. Nature is a natural healer, and spending time in the great outdoors is one of the best remedies to stress. An afternoon at the beach, an evening walk in your local nature reserve, or a trek into a local mountain range are all excellent ways of luxuriating in nature and reinvigorating your soul. Nature belongs to everyone, so make sure you utilize it to de-stress after a busy day at your desk.
Final thoughts
It’s vital for your mental and physical wellbeing to not neglect your health when you’re freelancing. Finding your own clients and working to tight deadlines is stressful, so you need to allow yourself to disconnect and de-stress. The seven ways that we’ve shared above will help you relax and unwind after a stressful day or week of work, so consider introducing one or several of them into your schedule and see if they help you become more productive and less stressed with work.
