Taking Care of Yourself as a Freelancer |
Posted: April 21, 2021 |
When you are a freelancer, you need to take care of everything from yourself, and this mentality stretches beyond just your work. You need to make sure that they are taking care of yourself outside of work because as a freelancer, your health is pivotal to your success. So, how can freelancers take care of themselves effectively?
Self-Care Starts with HealthTaking care of your physical health is key to taking care of yourself overall. This means eating right, getting enough exercise and sleeping well. Fitness can be a challenge when you’re working freelancer, but it is important to try and keep on top of your fitness plan as this is going to help aid good physical health. Eating right is another key factor. Just like with anyone else, you need to make sure that you are not only eating right but eating enough. This means taking the time to stop, no matter how busy you are, and have balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner with nutritious snacks throughout the day. This also means getting enough sleep balance out the energy you’ve spent working hard all day. Freelancers find it very easy to overwork themselves thanks to the flexibility of their working method but try to avoid this as much as possible. Company workers may have access to a company health insurance plan to cover ill health. Unfortunately, freelancers don’t have that option. For this reason, it may be a good idea to invest in private health insurance so that you have comprehensive private cover if anything goes wrong with your health that will ultimately affect your health.
Take Time for YourselfJust like any other worker, you are working hard all day, and you deserve some time to yourself too. In a workplace, you would get a natural lunch break around midday, and you would no doubt be taking several smaller breaks during the day, whether that means a coffee break or stretch your legs for a few minutes. So, make sure you also take regular breaks when you’re working freelance too, as this is important for maintaining focus and efficiency. The same principle applies to taking holidays from your work. Just because you are working freelance and may work from home, this doesn’t substitute for holiday time. Taking a holiday is essential for your health and wellbeing. It also allows you to come back to work with fresh eyes and a clear and rested mind.
Know When to Say NoOne of the most important things that you can learn to do to take care of yourself as a freelancer is to learn how to say no. While it might seem counterintuitive to turn down paying work when you don’t have a fixed income, it is an important thing to do on occasion, and there are a few reasons you might do this. You may need to say no because you are too busy, and you need to prioritise the current work you have to do. Or you may find that you don’t have the right skills to undertake the job, in which case you should say no so as not to risk your reputation. You may also have ethical reasons for not wanting to take on a job, particularly if it is for a client in an industry that you don’t agree with, such as oil and gas or gambling. Saying no to some opportunities will allow you less stress at any one time, and it will let you take better care of yourself.
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