Being a freelancer can be challenging, especially when it comes to the mental part of it. Freelancing is about so much more than just working with clients, writing content for them, or making awesome websites. The mental aspect is what you should care about more and nurture from within. Here are seven ways to nourish your body and mind as a freelance writer.
1. Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to look and feel your best. If you’re not drinking enough water each day, you could be at a higher risk of developing chronic dehydration symptoms such as headaches, dry skin, and fatigue.
Your body needs at least eight glasses of water each day to keep it running smoothly. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day — not just first thing in the morning or before bedtime.
It’s easy to forget about drinking water when you are busy with work. However, you should always keep a bottle of water on hand so you don’t forget to drink.
2. Snack smart!
Snacking is a common habit. If you’re “snacking smart” you can enjoy the benefits of a convenient, satisfying meal and still make healthy food choices.
When you crave something sweet, try eating fruit instead. Choose citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines for a natural boost of vitamin C and fiber.
Instead of high-fat chips or crackers, try whole-grain crackers or baked pita chips to satisfy your crunchy-food craving.
3. Create a work-friendly environment
Creating a work-friendly living environment goes beyond creating a place that is safe, clean, and free of distractions. It also means creating an environment where you can focus. Creating that environment starts with eliminating clutter. Clutter makes it hard to find what you’re looking for and easy to lose things. Here are a few tips to get started:
· Discard or donate items you don’t use or need anymore.
· Keep your belongings in one place, instead of multiple locations, so they’re easier to find.
· Designate one area in your home or office as a “drop zone” where you can easily stash mail, keys, and other items that need “putting away.”
· Create systems for other types of clutter – like magazines, newspapers, and receipts -wherever you have space.
· Get creative with storage- from stackable bins to freestanding shelves to filing boxes -so you’ll have somewhere to put things away when they aren’t being used.
· Set aside time every week for cleaning out closets and drawers.
4. Get outside
This may sound obvious, but the best way to clear your head is to get outside, even if you have to force yourself at first. Opening the door and stepping into your yard or going for a quick walk can do wonders for your mental health.
Even just standing outside on your porch listening to the bird’s chirp and enjoying the fresh air can work wonders for your mood. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed you’ll feel after taking in some vitamin D and breathing in some fresh air. A clear head makes it possible for you to concentrate more on your work.
5. Stay socially healthy
Make sure to schedule time for fun, healthy social activities into your schedule. If you don’t, you could end up feeling isolated and depressed. To help you get started with the process of scheduling time for socializing, create a list of social activities that are important to you.
This can include things like:
· Going out to dinner with friends
· Playing sports Attending a religious gathering or spiritual event
· Going to the theater or a concert with friends
· Spending time at a coffee shop reading or writing and meeting other people who share an interest in the same activity.
Scheduling time for these kinds of activities is one way to stay socially healthy and avoid developing symptoms of depression associated with isolation and loneliness.
6. Invest in Good Quality sleep
Sleep is the single most important thing that influences your health, fitness, productivity, and well-being. To achieve high-quality sleep, you need to start by creating a sleep environment that supports a great night’s sleep. This involves creating a sleep sanctuary, reducing light and noise pollution as well as getting rid of any potential distractions. Here are some tips for creating a sleep sanctuary:
· Create a dim and quiet sleep environment. Ensure that your room has low levels of light and sound.
· Make your bed a place of peace and safety. This means removing any potential distractions such as phones, books, computers, and TVs.
· Wear something comfortable, preferably cotton pajamas, when getting into bed at night and avoid wearing too much clothing. This makes it easier for your body to regulate its temperature once it’s in bed.
7. Be nice to yourself!
Treating yourself with compassion involves being kind and forgiving of your mistakes, shortcomings, and weaknesses. It means accepting your limitations, imperfections, and vulnerabilities.
It’s important to be compassionate toward yourself because nothing will undermine your mental health more than self-criticism, self-hatred, and self-neglect. Those who are more self-compassionate also tend to experience greater personal growth. They are more likely to take responsibility for their lives, feel good about themselves, be grateful for what they have, and set realistic goals.
Remember that you are an incredibly important part of your business. It’s often the small things that make a big difference. It’s those daily habits that inform our lifestyle choices while helping us focus on one task at a time.