Working from home is arguably one of the best perks of freelancing. The freedom of remote work has enticed millions of people worldwide to make the change from the standard 9 to 5 to working as a freelancer, however, there is something beneath the surface that isn’t being discussed: The mental health crisis.
Mental health issues are not exclusive to those who work from home, however, an astonishing 74% of people who work from home report new or worsening mental health issues. We want to change those stats by giving you tips to improve your mental health.
So, let’s take a look at the top 3 mental health hacks for freelancers in 2022!
Set a Schedule
We know what you’re thinking, “A schedule? I freelance because I want freedom!” Trust us, we want you to have that freedom too! With that being said, keeping a schedule can help reduce your daily stress by keeping you organized and streamlined.
Your schedule doesn’t have to be grueling or rigorous though. Consider setting up an exact time to get started every day and stick to it. Also, stick to your schedule when it comes to the time to call it a day. Make sure to schedule some breaks during the day to get some air or have a lunch break too.
Remember, work/life balance is crucial to maintaining quality mental health. If you find that your schedule is keeping you from doing things you love during the day, you might also consider a split schedule. Work for a few hours in the morning, break during the afternoon, and wrap up the last few hours in the evening!
Get Healthy
In the United States alone, a whopping 61% of people reported undesired weight gain during the pandemic working from home. It’s easy… Sometimes a little too easy… To grab snacks during the day or stay glued to your desk for hours on end.
Unfortunately, your physical health directly affects your mental health, so not maintaining a healthy diet or exercise regimen can end up causing stress, anxiety, and depression. So, what can you do?
Consider meal prepping your meals during your work week. When you meal prep you will be less likely to run to the fridge for a snack or order takeout. Hydration is equally important as well.
As freelancers, we are often quick to grab a coffee or energy drink to keep ourselves energized and productive but in the end, those choices can leave us fatigued and dehydrated. Setting a water timer throughout the day will help remind you to drink up and stay hydrated!
In line with your schedule creation, you might also find that booking time during your day to exercise helps keep it on your radar. If you are having trouble hitting the gym before or after work, try working out during your lunch break instead.
Say Goodbye to Toxicity
Nothing can slow down your motivation, happiness, and productivity like a toxic work environment. Identifying toxicity when you work for yourself and from home can prove challenging.
What does toxicity look like in the remote workplace? There are a couple of different sources to consider. The most obvious source is the toxic client.
Toxic clients often want everything, but are not willing to give fair payment or timelines. They may also try to impose unrealistic expectations on their freelancers.
They might use negative language or putdowns regarding work performance even if nothing is actually wrong. In other cases, they might give you constant worry over whether or not you will be paid on time. It might seem like a good idea at first to power through and deal with it just so you don’t lose the client, but in the end, you have to ask yourself if you’re being fair to yourself.
Luckily, working with a freelancer hiring company like FreeUp Marketplace makes it easier to manage clients if there is an issue. They diligently vet clients and audit freelancers to ensure that everyone is being treated fairly and with respect.
Other forms of toxicity as a freelancer might start with your workload. If you are constantly biting off more than you can chew, you will burn yourself out in no time. Taking on too many projects at once leads to mistakes and poor quality which in turn leads to upset clients.
If you are feeling like you are overwhelmed by your current workload it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to slow down: Just reevaluate your process. You could consider hiring a freelancer yourself to help you manage your projects and reduce stress.
Top 3 Mental Health Hacks for Freelancers in 2022
These are the top 3 mental health tips in 2022. Making these changes will help you maintain your work/life balance and become a more productive freelancer in no time at all! When you freelance the right way, the possibilities are endless! How do you do it the right way? Great question!
It starts with finding a platform that will support you from start to finish! So, start your freelancing career today by joining the FreeUp Marketplace. Already a FreeUp freelancer? Consider scaling up by hiring a freelancer of your own!