Nowadays, it has become even more common for individuals to look for independent work. Working as a freelancer entails working as a self-employed individual and can be done in a variety of fields. Most commonly, you will find freelancers who work long hours behind a computer screen creating content, editing, and more.

Seeing as the freelance business is based solely around your schedule, it is easy to become entrapped in a cycle that throws off your work/life balance. On one hand, accepting as much work as you can handle keeps the lights on. While on the other hand, it is easy to become overloaded with too much work and not enough time in the day to keep up.

When a person in any type of employment, especially freelance, experiences this type of phenomenon, it is known as burnout. This is the type of exhaustion that occurs when you become consistently overloaded with work to the point that you don’t know how to slow down or relax.

With freelance work becoming the norm, we’ve compiled a list of 7 ways to avoid burnout as a freelancer.

1. Know when to call it a day

Keeping track of how long you work each day is a foolproof way to know when it’s time to call it quits. It may be tempting to cram in as much work as possible, even long into the evening, especially if you have minimal responsibilities outside of work. Setting a goal of how much time you plan to work for the day is a good way to know when to “clock out”.

2. Establish time slots

Blocking off your time into realistic time slots helps improve the quality of your work. It also helps improve focus and gives you peace of mind knowing you accomplished what you needed to in the time you allotted yourself.

3. Protect your free time

If you find yourself fitting in work during your off-hours, try to establish a “fun time” routine. Try heading outside, explore the forest, the ocean or even your own living room. Taking up new hobbies is a good way to make the most out of your time. dive into the forest, the ocean or the kitchen. Whatever it is, do anything but work.

4. Prioritize sleep

Sleep is an important part of avoiding burnout. Having healthy bedtime hygiene is not just about making sure you brush your teeth at night. Turning your phone off and limiting screen time an hour before bed is a good way to help your brain turn off for the night.

5. Remember to exercise

Exercise is not only good for your body, but it is good for your mind too. In fact, exercise can help your brain function more efficiently, which, in turn, can help improve your productivity in the long run.

6. An apple a day:

Improved nutrition can also play a major role in how you feel mentally, similar to your exercise routine. Nutrition controls more than just weight, it can also control energy levels and even serotonin (the key hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness). A happy freelancer is a productive one, and a well-fed freelancer is key.

7. Ask for help:

A great way to handle burnout is to reach out for help. Develop a self-care check-in with friends and family members so you can take care of each other.

As tempting as it is to take on as much work as possible to grow your business, increase your client base, and ultimately your revenue, it is vital now more than ever to practice self-care. That will ensure that you are able to continue to work productively as a freelancer while you avoid burnout.