Self-Care for the Self-Employed
Working for yourself can be exhilarating, rewarding—and exhausting. You might be an accountant, IT provider, creative professional and administrative assistant all in one. You might be managing a growing business and a busy household. And you might have great intentions to take better care of yourself but struggle to find the time for self-care.
If you are self-employed, the concept of self-care doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming—it can involve as little as a few minutes a day dedicated to yourself. Here are some helpful and fun tips for boosting your self-care routine:
–Get organized and set a routine. While organizing your space and your schedule may not sound glamorous, they will make your life a lot easier. Regular hours—with established breaks—will help you prevent burnout and a well-designed space is more enjoyable to work in.
—Get outside. Fresh air is good for the soul and good for the brain. Take a short break every hour to enjoy the change of seasons. Walk to the furthest mailbox in your neighborhood to mail a package. Schedule a regular coffee date and stroll with friends.
—Get social. If you work from home, this is a must. Even if you don’t miss the hustle and bustle of the office, there are benefits to sharing ideas and conversation with others. Make a point to schedule at least two social outings per week so you stay connected.
—Get creative. Hobbies are important—otherwise, it can be really easy to work, work, work and run yourself down. You can spend a few minutes a day journaling or writing, taking pictures or painting, working on a home improvement project, doing a puzzle or simply dancing around the living room. Make sure you use your creative muscles as well as your intellectual ones—you might be surprised at how interlinked they already are.
And finally, make sure you separate work from sleep. It can be easy to finish up one last project or a couple last emails before you turn in for the night, but it is healthier to have time and space between work life and a good night’s sleep. Ideally, spend the last hour of your day screen-free.
“From an at-home facial to a fancy coffee drink once a week, simple self-care routines can make a huge difference,” said Dr. Pam Jordi. “The name of the game is taking care of yourself, making sure you have time to rest and remembering to put yourself first sometimes.”
