Being a freelancer offers so much flexibility, allowing you to decide when and how often you work. It can be freeing for those who may not fit into typical 9-to-5 work schedules. However, many self-employed people forget that they must dictate when to take breaks for themselves.
Many freelancers are reluctant to take breaks, which is understandable. Unlike regular employees, there’s no paid time off. Not working means not earning, which can stir a bit of guilt.
However, skipping those breaks can do more harm than good in the long run. Run through this list to find out why you need to take breaks from your freelance work.
1. You Simply Work Too Much
Around 2.5 million Americans experience time poverty, the feeling that they do not have enough time in a day. While there are many causes, working is often a primary culprit. Freelancers specifically tend to overwork themselves because these projects are a priority.
The top reason to take a break is that you have simply worked too many hours. Make an assessment of your regular working schedule and see where you can sprinkle in a break or two. If you feel like there’s not enough time for rest, make time.
Here are a few suggestions on when you can plan work breaks:
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- Throughout the day: Have you ever worked through a whole day and realized you skipped lunch or dinner? Set a few 20-minute breaks throughout the day to rest and recuperate from your daily duties. You can also try specific time management techniques, such as Pomodoro, to increase your productivity and rest.
- On personal occasions: Some freelancers brush off anniversaries and birthdays, thinking, “There’s always next year!” However, it’s important to celebrate those events in your life, especially if they’re important to loved ones. Reschedule your freelance work and take a break to accommodate the occasion.
- On special holidays: Similarly to special occasions, holidays are a good time to have a work break. Christmas, New Year’s Eve and other similar events are meant for festivities, not for keeping yourself buried in your laptop. Other workers even take time off during these days, so you should try to too.
2. Your Body Needs Downtime
Freelance work that involves coding, writing, graphic design and the like keeps you awake and holed up in one spot for hours. It can become overworking before you know it, taking a toll on your body and making you more susceptible to illness.
It’s essential to sleep and exercise to keep your physical well-being up to par. Plan for breaks and do a few stretches. On the weekends, try to sleep in and go on walks when your afternoons are free.
3. You Need to Relieve Stress
Studies have shown that nearly two-thirds of physician visits are stress-related, from headaches to muscle pain to high blood pressure. Whether it’s the pressure of a deadline or a distracting work environment, stress can take a toll on your physical health.
Having to shoulder even just an individual hospital visit as a freelancer is scary, especially when it comes out of pocket. Rather than letting stress get the best of you, take a break and breathe. Let your mind wander and rest from working.
4. Creative Burnout Is Scary
Freelancing depends greatly on your creativity and productivity. That means experiencing burnout is far from ideal for your career. Since it’s harder to beat and recover when you reach that point, make it a priority to set breaks to avoid burnout altogether. When you refresh your physical and emotional energy, you can retain your current workflow better.
5. Boundaries Are Paramount
Some freelancers share stories of having clients calling them up late at night and early in the morning. This lack of regard can stem from the belief that you work 24/7 when you don’t. Set boundaries by scheduling regular breaks. Inform the people that you’re collaborating with or working for so that they know your off hours.
6. There’s More to Life
As a freelancer, work is everything. But there’s so much more to life than the gigs you take on. Visit a relaxing vacation spot you’ve never been to before. Eat good food that you’ve read about. Take up a new hobby. Enjoying life can improve your view of the world and improve your daily drive.
7. You Need to Socialize
Around 23% of remote workers say that loneliness is an issue that they deal with. Freelancers who don’t log into an office may know this feeling all too well. Try to maintain the relationships you currently have and make new meaningful social connections. Make breaks and meet people.
Set Break Times and Days
Freelance work is never-ending and demanding, but it’s important to have a work-life balance. Plot those days and plan something for yourself. Whether it’s to tend to a certain part of your life or to simply take a breather, hit pause on work.
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