Working for yourself as a freelancer is extraordinarily liberating. But it also comes with some setbacks. Like, for instance, when you’re deciding upon your work schedule. How do you know you’re working ‘enough?’ Some freelancers believe that they should constantly be working, as having downtime when you’re self-employed feels like you’re losing out on earning opportunities.

Therefore, it’s all too common for freelancers to work themselves into the ground and forget to take care of themselves. You should try and be pro-active, as opposed to re-active, when it comes to practicing self-care, as it’s much healthier to keep yourself in shape, as opposed to making changes when everything falls apart! Here are some excellent ways to build self-care practice into your freelancing routine.

Schedule your working hours as a freelancer. 

Just because you don’t have to work set hours, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. While we all get a kick out of laying in on a Monday morning to watch Friends until noon once in a while, make sure you schedule your working hours and stick to them where possible.

The main reason for this is to create a clear distinction between when you should be working and when you should be enjoying yourself—opting for a scattergun approach of working whenever you feel like it is unsustainable and can result in you working far too much.

Whether you’re a night owl and want to work from 8 pm – 2 am every day or are more of a conventional 9-5 type of person, just make sure you know when it’s time to work and when it’s time to play!

Take care of your physical health. 

Most freelancers earn a living by working in front of a computer screen all day. While it’s not the most active lifestyle, being in charge of your time means you can dedicate a daily period to exercise.

The endorphins that flow through your body after a workout can increase productivity and brain function by up to 72 percent. Not only will you get your work done at a better pace, but you will also keep in shape and feel good about yourself.

Neglecting your physical health as a freelancer is all too easy as you get consumed with projects, but setting aside a mere thirty minutes every day to exercise is enormously beneficial.

Eat nutritious meals. 

How many times have you lunched on a PB&J sandwich while typing frantically at your desk? You might think stopping for lunch is a waste of time or a luxury you can ill afford, but it’s actually crucial to your overall health.

Getting into the habit of preparing three nutritious meals each day, and spending some time away from your desk at the same time, can have an enormously positive impact on your mental wellbeing. Instead of loading on the carbs, try and eat a balanced diet at every meal, so your brain stays active for the duration of your long day.

If you’re scoffing at this point and can’t imagine having the time or inclination to prepare your own meals, consider signing up for a meal prep service like Hello Fresh. If you’re short of time but keen to eat delicious meals every day, it’s definitely worth the investment.

Identify your distraction triggers. 

We all get distracted, whether we’re working at home, in an office, or in a public space. While letting your mind wander once in a while is to be expected, the more distracted you become, the harder it is to stay on top of deadlines. You might be able to resonate with one or more of the following distractions:

• The TV remote at the edge of the sofa.
• Your cuddly pet who is just desperate for your attention.
• The talkative barista in your favorite independent coffee shop.
• Your roommate playing video games.

You get the idea. We all have triggers that distract us from our work. But the key to managing them is to first identify them and try our best to control them. So, if you’re distracted by the talkative barista at your favorite coffee shop, find another place to work for the afternoon and save your visit to this place for takeaway coffee only.

The premise is the same for all of the above examples. Understand your triggers and do something about them. They will save you from a lot of stress and will boost your overall well-being.

Make plans with your loved ones and enjoy being offline. 

There’s a misconception that freelancers always need to be sitting in front of the computer, just in case a client needs them within a second’s notice. While this would constitute incredible customer service, it’s absolutely no way to live your life.

Providing you’re on top of your deadlines, and regularly in touch with your clients, you don’t need to be online all the time. Most clients recognize that freelancers also have lives and won’t begrudge you being unreachable for a couple of days.

As such, be confident when making plans with your loved ones, and take some time to reward your efforts with things you enjoy doing the most. Whether it’s attending your favorite sports fixture or taking your girlfriend out for a delicious meal, you absolutely must make plans to enjoy your time away from your desk.

Disconnect from the world of work and enjoy whatever it is you enjoy doing. You’ve certainly earned it!

Closing thoughts. 

When you work in the gig economy, it can be tempting to focus all of your efforts on gaining clients, particularly in the early days. But if you neglect to take care of yourself, you will soon find that life as a freelancer is nothing like you imagined it would be.

Remember that self-care should be seen as a proactive process, one that is undertaken over a long period of time to ensure you are in control of your work and don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure. The more you can look after yourself over time, the easier it will be to complete your work on time and consistently deliver high-quality content to your clients.