Freelancing and remote working can be a challenge. In fact, it’s not uncommon for freelancers to experience the same kind of stress as those who are in full-time employment.

Stress comes in many forms: deadlines, stakeholder demands, being your own boss, finding stakeholders and maintaining them, keeping up with all the paperwork that comes with running a business, etc.

Are you stressed out?

You know you're stressed out when you find yourself:

  1. Waking up in the middle of the night with anxiety, unable to fall back asleep
  2. Taking on more work than you can handle (and then accidentally missing deadlines)
  3. Feeling like you need to check your email constantly, even when you're at home
  4. Constantly checking your phone for notifications and messages (even though you know they'll be there tomorrow anyway)

If any of these things sound familiar, no judgment! It happens to us all. But what do you do about it? Follow the post to see some tips!

Tips

Find ways to de-stress outside of work—whether that's cooking dinner with friends or taking a relaxing bath—just make sure it's something that will help you recharge when you're feeling overwhelmed!

  1. Make sure you're getting enough sleep every night so that you can stay focused during the day without feeling fatigued or irritable due to lack of energy (or caffeine).
  2. Make sure that you take breaks! Don't forget to take breaks from your computer, even if it's just to go get a drink of water or stretch out your legs.
  3. Make sure that when you're working remotely, your boss knows that it's okay for you to take breaks during work hours—and that they won't mind if they see them in your timesheet or invoices. It's important for everyone involved that freelancers are able to keep themselves well enough so they don't burn out or become stressed out from overwork.
  4. Make sure you're eating right. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce stress levels and improve productivity.
  5. Keep a schedule. It's easy to let time slip by when you're working from home, so make sure you have a schedule for yourself and stick to it!
  6. Set goals for yourself: what do you want to accomplish today? How many tasks do you need to complete before lunchtime? If you've hit those goals by the end of the day, pat yourself on the back!