FreelanceM.ag

Being a freelancer can be stressful. If you aren’t dealing with difficult clients, then it may be a delay in payment or some other thing that’s got you down. And don’t even get me started on the infamous freelancer feast or famine cycle…

It can all seem like a lot of hassle.

So, it’s only normal if you’re a freelancer who feels a bit of pressure right now. After all, as a freelancer you’ve got a lot to deal with.

Too much pressure isn’t a good thing, though. Stress can cause you to make mistakes on projects. Stress can affect your outlook on life. Stress can even make you sick.

That’s why it’s very important for freelancers to find simple ways to relax. In this post, I’ll share ten easy ways for you to unwind. You should be able to use some of these tips right away (and some of them only take a few minutes to do).

If you liked this post, you may also like Five Mini-Vacations That Wonâ??t Cost Much or Disrupt Your Schedule.

Tips to Help You Relax

Are you feeling stressed out? Has freelancing got you overwhelmed? Are you ready to relax?

Here are over ten easy tips to help you unwind:

1. Laugh. They say laughter is the best medicine, and they are right. Laughter is a great way to reduce stress. So if you are feeling stressed, rent a funny movie. (Try this funny site, xkcd, or find your own funny site.)
2. Socialize. Interacting with friends is a great (and healthy) way to reduce stress. So, no matter how busy your freelancing schedule seems, make the time to nurture your healthy relationships. Even a few minutes talking to a friend on the phone can help.
3. Exercise. Working out is another great way to let off some steam. That gym membership just may help you to keep things in a proper perspective. Head to the gym the next time you feel the pressure. Your overall health will also improve.
4. Volunteer. Getting involved in a worthy cause can help you to forget your own troubles. Plus, most charitable organizations are more than happy to let you volunteer your time. Contact your favorite charity and let them know you are available.
5. Organize. If the stacks of paperwork and projects on your desk seem overwhelming, then getting organized could relieve some work-related stress. Just getting that mess out of sight can really help you to feel like you are more in control.
6. Read. Lose yourself in a good story for an hour or two. You’ll enjoy it and your stress level will go down. Make sure that your reading material isn’t work-related, though. You’re looking for reading material that won’t weigh you down.
7. Nap. It’s been shown that short naps are quite beneficial for most people. While experts can’t agree on exactly how long your power nap should be, they do agree on its benefits. If you’re afraid you won’t get up in time, set an alarm.
8. Party. Don’t feel guilty when you celebrate. Those little (and big) celebrations play an important role in stress reduction. If you don’t have a special occasion to celebrate, make up your own reason to party. You’ll be glad that you did.
9. Learn. Many people find learning something new to be relaxing. If you’re one of those people who loves learning, then make sure that your busy schedule allows you enough time to pursue learning opportunities.
10. Breathe. When I’m stressed, I often find that I’m unconsciously holding my breath. Unfortunately, that habit only makes the stress worse. Close your eyes, and focus on letting yourself breathe deeply. Prayer or meditation can also help.
11. Bonus tip: Daydream. You may have gotten in trouble for daydreaming (also known as not paying attention) when you were in school, but daydreaming has actually been shown to improve the memory and provide many other benefits as well.

Following just a few of these tips on a regular basis can change how you react to problems and challenges. Make regular relaxation a habit.

Your Turn

Do you struggle with too much freelancing stress? What are your favorite ways to relax?

Share your answers in the comments.

Image by KingRobertII