Freelancers have always been working from home, cafes, and pretty much anywhere they can feel inspired. Even before the pandemic hit, this class of worker bees had no problem with what is now the new normal on the work front. That said, however, freelancers do have a tendency to fall short when it comes to self-care and inculcating work-life balance into their lives.
Why is Work-Life Balance Important?
The importance of striking this balance can simply not be stressed enough. While you may at times put in extra hours where nights turn into days, such occasions should be infrequent. If you do this often, you will not be able to sustain this pace/precedent for long and find yourself at the brink of burnout.
Because of pushing yourself hard and not allowing enough time to rest, as this article states, your work and productivity will also suffer greatly, making you question the poor decisions you took to get there. To save yourself from morbid introspection, read on to find out what overworking looks like and what you can do before things get out of hand.
Signs of an Unhealthy Work Environment
If you find yourself perpetually stressed out, chances are your mind and body will head towards further devastation. Heart problems, muscle pains, hypertension, gastric issues, and insomnia are just a few stressful days away from wreaking havoc on your system. Moreover, your mental health will also pay a heavy price for lack of self-care on your part.
How to Maintain Work-Life Balance
There are a few things people who are working from home can do. From setting up winding-down corners to investing in standing desks, there are several ways to enhance productivity by introducing and maintaining a work-life balance.
Discipline is Key
As rebellious as it may sound to adhere to the “rules are made to be broken” mantra, there is plenty of evidence in support of consistency and discipline. The key to getting this right is by having a solid routine, especially in the mornings.
As a freelancer, it might be extremely tempting to hit that snooze button or stay out late on weeknights. Personal commitments aside, by indulging your laissez-faire attitude to life, you’re not doing yourself any favors.
Mornings should be your most productive time, and it is the ultimate in self-care to start working at the same time every day after having a healthy breakfast.
Activity tips for those working from home
Working from home as a freelancer can result in inactivity and lack of movement. The last thing you want to do is fall victim to a sedentary lifestyle and put up with the problems associated with it.
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Step away from your desk every half an hour
By stepping away from your desk and walking around or pacing slowly close to it (or in another room) for about 10 minutes, you will take a break, gather your thoughts, and come back to your assignment with fresh eyes. Doing so will also help you engage your muscles, which we know is close to impossible when you’re sitting and working for hours on end.
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Remember to stretch
Here’s the spoiler alert you didn’t need: sitting around isn’t good for you.
Now that we’ve gotten the obvious out of the way, remember to stretch, stretch, and stretch some more! According to this piece, stretching maintains muscle flexibility and keeps them healthy and strong. Due to extended periods of inactivity, muscles may shorten and become stiff. Nobody needs that kind of pain in their lives, so remember to stretch regularly, even if it means you do so sitting or standing at your desk.
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Follow exercise tutorials online
This is pretty self-explanatory and requires very little effort on your part. Just look up a 20-30 minute workout video online, and follow along! Make sure it doesn’t exceed the stated time limit, so you’re able to weave it in with your lunch hour.
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Walk up and down the stairs
If all else fails for one reason or another, consider walking up and down the stairs of your home or apartment building for brief intervals throughout the day. Increase your speed steadily and try to build up stamina or else you’ll start panting, get discouraged, and stop exercising altogether.
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Set up a workspace that suits you best
Ideally, you want a workspace that reflects your personality and taste while making sure you’re at your productive best. While functionality should be a priority, you can throw in some fun elements to create a truly customized corner. Here are a few things you can factor in when trying to figure out how to set up your workstation.
What is the first step in setting up a workstation?
It all starts with a strong, sturdy desk. In order to boost productivity levels, you would be better off investing in a standing desk such as the Comhar standing desk available on Flexispot.
It is a one-of-a-kind standing desk that has a timeless, rustic appeal. Speaking of its functionality, the Comhar standing desk comes with three integrated USB ports and an attached drawer. It also boasts adjustable height and smooth assembly.
Once you purchase this beauty and make it a part of your home and workspace, prepare yourself to receive compliments about your impeccable taste and eye for all things classy and unique.
Eye-catching as they are, the aesthetics of the Comhar standing desk have the ability to be at one with any and every room it’s placed in. We don’t have to tell you that there are not very many furniture or accent pieces that can own a room without overshadowing the other pieces contained within it. For all this and more, the Comhar standing desk is an absolute bargain.
How does a standing desk benefit your psychological health?
When your home and workspace are one and the same, it can be particularly tough to step in and out of personal and professional modes. A standing desk can help jump-start your day in the right direction by giving you a much-needed boost.
Once you make the Comhar standing desk the central feature of your workspace, it will keep you on your feet and make sure there are no lapses in your productivity levels.
Think about it; when you’re sitting down, it is likely for you to lose track of what you’re doing, and you might even get distracted by your thoughts. With the Comhar standing desk, however, it is close to impossible.
Choose the right accessories
There are many ways in which you can personalize your workspace.
Picture frames
By placing picture frames displaying photos of family, friends, and partners, you can introduce some warmth to your desk. It also helps to look at them when you’re having an especially rough day.
Planters
Consider getting some planters for a swathe of vivid green to refresh your mind while you work. There’s nothing that can emulate the calming and grounding effect of looking at vibrant greens. Just make sure the planters aren’t very bulky or heavy; even one or two can do the trick.
Stationery
This is one of the most exciting aspects of professional life, hands down. You get to buy a bunch of notebooks, pens, highlighters, and colorful paper fasteners, all in the name of professionalism. Remember, however, not to create clutter. If you’ve gone overboard buying fun accessories, keep them tucked away in the desk of your Theodore standing desk.
The Final Verdict
As you can see, striking a work-life balance isn’t impossible to do; it just requires initiative on your part. If you feel you’re in a rut at the moment and desperately need to get out of it, consider the aforementioned tips and solutions and take control of your life and its pace.
Putting up with the consequences of lack of self-care is not brave or courageous in any way. Your personal and professional lives are equally demanding, and it doesn’t make sense for one to suffer at the hands of the other.
Make your best decision yet, and purchase the Theodore standing desk from Flexispot today. Give yourself the very best; you deserve it!
