There’s no denying the fact that many of us are stressed out. We’ve been living through a global pandemic for close to two years, and the economic pitfalls have hit many of us hard. Add rising political tensions and general economic slumps to the mix, and it’s no wonder why so many of us are struggling with our mental health. These struggles can be challenging for freelancers to manage when income revenues are shaky and not guaranteed.
The adage “famine or feast” often comes to mind when freelancing, and mental health issues can loom with this type of uncertainty.
While freelancing has some incredible, mental-health boosting positives such as setting your own schedule and being able to work from home, it is also imperative that freelancers take care of their mental health and engage in processes and activities that boost those happy hormones (hello serotonin) and help us to manage stress.
Why are we so stressed?
According to Psychology Today, millennials were stressed out way before the pandemic. When describing experiences of millennials in the US in 2019, they shared:
“They’re stressed out. Up to 17% of them are depressed, and 14% suffer from anxiety. Millennials seek psychotherapy more often than members of Generation X or other earlier generations. Money is one of the most common focal points for millennials.”
Young professionals are facing a great deal of economic stress, largely as a result of the 2008 economic crisis and skyrocketing inflation. Add the precariousness of freelancing to the mix and the uncertainty of new business as the world rebuilds post-Covid; it’s obvious that we need to start taking care of ourselves so that we can handle all this uncertainty.
So, how can we do this as freelancers? These mental health hacks might help.
Stay connected
For all the perks of freelancing, it can be a little lonely if you already live alone or are naturally more introverted. When global lockdowns and Covid restrictions are included, it makes sense that freelancers can sometimes feel pretty lonely. The lack of human contact can take a serious toll on mental health as we are fundamentally social creatures who thrive on connection. Happily, however, there are some fantastic ways to beat loneliness and foster connection. These include:
- Renting a desk at a co-working space: Renting a desk at a co-working space, even one day a week, is a great idea if you want to build your network and ward away the blues. Since you will be engaging with like-minded professionals, you might even meet some new work contacts and embark on exciting collaborative projects.
- Joining online networks: The digital age has offered newfound possibilities in terms of connection, and happily, there are so many online groups for professionals and freelancers. Check out social media pages or local meet-up groups and become part of the conversation.
- Joining local social groups: Not everything has to be work-related. Joining social groups like that dance class you’ve been meaning to try is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. Excitingly, there are classes for pretty much everything. Whether you want to learn a new language, hone your art skills, or get more active with a running club, the options are endless.
Get adequate exercise, nutrition, and sleep
Good exercise and balanced nutrition have a major impact on mental health and have been regarded as the “wellness trifecta.” This fact was reiterated by the psychology department at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Their study revealed that getting enough fruit and veg, remaining active, and clocking in quality sleep could help to alleviate the severity of anxiety and depression. While it is hugely important to seek medical support if you are struggling, these lifestyle changes can add a positive impact to your life. Some top hacks might include:
- Meal prepping or making enough supper so that you always have leftovers for lunch
- Walking around the block during your lunch break
- Ensuring that you get at least 8 hours of sleep each night
- Limiting screen time before bed
- Snacking on healthy snacks throughout the day
- Half an hour of moderate exercise a few times a week (this could be walking, dancing, swimming, cycling, climbing, tennis, yoga, Pilates, or any other enjoyable activity that gets the blood pumping)
- Chatting with your doctor about immune-boosting supplements
Stay organized with project management apps
Stress is a major factor in poor mental health. Since freelancers often have to juggle several projects at once, good organization skills are a top priority. A handy way to manage numerous projects and clients is to invest in a project management platform like Indy. Indy offers freelancers and small business owners a one-stop solution for every aspect of their business, and top features include:
- Invoice templates and generator
- Proposal and contract templates
- Task and time trackers
- An online calendar that can be synced with Google
- An online communication portal to manage collaborative projects
- Space to upload forms and files
Indy automates those day-to-day tasks with ease, allowing you more time to network with prospective clients and hone your art. All the features can be easily accessed from a centralized dashboard, meaning that all your projects are always. Click away, no matter where you are.
Studies have shown that good organization can have great health benefits.
Consider therapy
While the above hacks can go a long way in boosting mental health for freelancers, sometimes you just need to access professional help. Qualified professionals can help you to understand your emotions, and they’ll offer valuable tools to help you process and manage your feelings. While therapy might seem scary at first, an experienced therapist will work closely with you to unpack what you’re feeling. Therapy might be one of the best ways to invest in yourself and your business and can help you tackle a plethora of issues from work-related stress, negative thought patterns, loneliness, and boosting productivity.
Final thoughts
Prioritizing your mental health and focusing on productive ways to boost your happiness is essential to any freelancer. By building deeper connections, maintaining a balanced lifestyle and diet, organizing your daily activities, and working with professionals, you can enhance your overall well being, and business will naturally boom.
What are some of your best ways to enhance your mental wellbeing? Share with us below!
Sources
https://www.hecticapp.com/blog/where-to-find-support-for-mental-health-for-freelancers
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/mental-health-month/
https://www.realsimple.com/health/mind-mood/sleep-exercise-diet-mental-health-study
Images Links
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/depression
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/health+wellness+cartoon
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/social+connection