Working as a freelance graphic designer can be an incredibly rewarding career path. You have the autonomy to not only create whatever type of work you desire, but you also get to decide when and where it gets done. However, while this career choice has many benefits, there is one thing that every freelancer needs to pay attention to their mental health. Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are particularly common among this demographic due to the unpredictable nature of freelance work, making it important for freelancers to maintain their own sense of wellbeing for them to remain successful and productive in the workplace. In this blog post, we’ll explore how taking care of your mental health is essential for finding success as a freelance graphic designer and offer helpful tips on how you can maintain good mental health practices no matter your job situation.
Ways to improve your mental health as a freelance graphic designer
- Make Time for Self-Care: As a freelance creative, it can be easy to feel like you need to put all of your energy into work and forget about taking care of yourself – but that’s not healthy. Instead, take time each day or week to do something you enjoy, whether going for a walk, reading a book, listening to music or even just meditating for a few minutes. This will allow you to relax and refocus so you don’t become overwhelmed.
- Set Boundaries With Clients: As much as possible, try to create clear boundaries with clients in terms of the work hours they can expect from you (and vice versa). Establishing these boundaries will help ensure you aren’t overburdened or taken advantage of.
- Take Breaks During Your Workday: Even if you only have a few minutes here and there, try to take some breaks between projects or tasks to give yourself a chance to reset and recharge. This could be anything from taking a quick walk outside, having lunch with friends, or watching an episode on Netflix.
- Reach Out for Support When Needed: Everyone needs support now and then, so try not to feel ashamed about reaching out for help when things get tough. Whether talking with a close friend, joining a virtual support group, or seeing a therapist, seeking help can be a powerful way to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
- Prioritize Healthy Habits: Finally, take time each day to focus on your physical health as well. This could include eating healthy meals, exercising regularly or even getting enough sleep. These habits will ensure that you stay energized and focused so that you can do your best work every day.
How to maintain good mental health as a freelance graphic designer
Mental health is just as important for freelance graphic designers as it is for anyone else. Taking time and conscious effort to keep your mental wellbeing in check will help you stay productive and fulfilled while working independently. Here are some tips that can help:
- Acknowledge Stress & Take Breaks: When you work from home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the work and the pressure to produce results on tight deadlines. Acknowledge these feelings instead of trying to push them out of your mind. Make sure you take breaks throughout the day to focus better when you’re back at work.
- Connect with Fellow Designers: Working alone can be lonely, so staying connected with fellow freelancers and design professionals is important. Join a virtual community or local meetup group to discuss your work and find support when you need it.
- Follow Healthy Habits: Eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and keeping up with hobbies can help you feel energized and positive about your freelance career. Make time for these activities every day so that you don’t neglect your overall health in favor of work-related tasks.
- Set Boundaries: Setting limits on how much work you will take on at any given time is key to maintaining a balanced lifestyle and clarity of mind while working as a freelancer. Decide how many hours per week are comfortable for you, and stick to that schedule.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of yourself is necessary for maintaining a healthy mental state in the long term. Make sure you take breaks from work throughout the day, practice mindfulness or meditation, and invest in something enjoyable like going out for coffee or taking a yoga class every week.
By following these tips, freelance graphic designers can stay productive and fulfilled while keeping their mental health in check.