Open Thread: How Do You Relieve Stress?
Posted October 22, 2009 in Lifestyle, Open Thread 46 Comments »
Working as a freelancer can be very stressful.
There’s the stress of having too many projects all due on the same day, and there’s also the stress of dealing with slow times when you don’t know if you’ll be able to pay the bills that month. They don’t call it the freelance roller coaster for nothing.
Throughout all of these ups-and-downs, we freelancers need to maintain composure. There’s always work to be done, whether it’s on projects or marketing, and we don’t have time to get bogged down with enormous amounts of stress. Not to mention, too much stress just isn’t good for your body.
So, how to you relieve stress? How do you handle those difficult ups and downs? How do you handle major due dates? What are your tips for other freelancers for managing their own stressful situations?
Leave your thoughts, tips, and magic bullets in the comments.
Image by AMANITO
About the author: Mason Hipp is an entrepreneur, marketing guru, and writer. He blogs about life and business at FreelanceFolder.com and is co-author of the Book The Unlimited Freelancer. Follow him on twitter @MasonHipp
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46 Comments
Lindsey
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:17 pmI have to admit that usually I am not the best at managing stress, I unfortunately let it consume me. The times that I do get it under control I find it is by making myself take a step back, look at the facts and change my perspective.
A) I count my blessings (which I think we all can do even it its just being thankful for a roof over our head, or food to eat)
B) I realize that I only need to work about the things I control because I cannot do anything about the thing I cannot. All I can do it give my best effort at what I have control over.
C) I am a spiritual person, so I rely heavily on knowing that the big guy is looking after me and wants to bless me. There may be peaks and valleys but we have to push forward and keep our chins up.
Have Pack, Will Travel
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:43 pmI ignore email for a few hours. Feels great :)
Javier
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:04 pmI’m with Lindsey… I let it consume me as well, if I stress, that is not too often. I let the things flow. Eventually, all comes together.
Sometimes stress will make me work better, because I know then, that it has to be done for sure. Stress = Motivation.
Miroslav Nikolov
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:06 pmMeet with people. This is my solution. Because our work is a bit alone we need to meet with people and go out often:)
Nicholas Z. Cardot
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:16 pmGet away from the work and spend some time with my wife and daughter. That is the ultimate stress relief. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Steven Fleet
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:18 pmMy stress buster is to go surfing. It’s the ultimate for clearing the mind. I often find that while drifting about in the sea waiting for the next wave my mind comes up with great ideas. Healthy body healthy mind, I guess.
Coop
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:19 pmI am not the greatest at handling stress. I internalize everything and let it build. To make matters worse I stutter, which is made worse by stress. One upside to that is the stuttering acts as a barometer for my stress level. It makes me realize I might be more stressed out than I think.
Long runs are a huge help to de-stress. But when I don’t have time for that, a nice single malt scotch does the trick.
tbmedia
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:21 pmSometimes a little bit of stress is good for me, I work well under pressure. But if all else fails I go for a cycle (I’m a road cyclist) – getting out on the bike really clears the air for me. Highly recommended.
melanie
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:37 pmI didn’t know how good I was at managing stress until I started working at a small magazine filled with crazy people who stress out by screaming, crying, yelling, slamming doors, and generally being bitchy to everyone else. It made me feel better about myself.
When I do get stressed I put whatever I’m working on down and walk away for a while. Exercising is a great stress reliever for me. Strangely enough, so is napping. I’m worthless if I’m tired. Deep breaths and the mantra of “i’m only one person. i’m only one person.” do the trick, too.
sometimes if i know i’m going to have a really stressful day at the office i bring my dog to work with me. he’s a great stress reliever!
Laura Spencer
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:43 pmThere are healthy ways to relieve stress and there are unhealthy ways. I’m afraid I’m a bit guilty of both.
Some unhealthy stress reduction techniques that I use:
* Eat chocolate
* Drink a soda (yes, I’m sipping a diet coke right now)
* Overwork
Some healthy stress reduction techniques that I use:
*Exercise – I need to do more of this, but it works when I do it
*Take a break
*Socialize
*Read a book (okay, not a book about work)
Susan
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:36 pmI get on my bike and ride forever … kinda like Forest Gump … Ride Forest… Ride …
Maxime Alexandre Trudel
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:39 pmMy best way to releive my stress is to do yoga… But I think any exercice is great because it’s releive exercice and usually your mind too… And it’s then that the best idea comes!
Beth
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:09 pmI try to breathe and relax then go for a run or workout class. Then, whether it is later that day or the next, I make a list of what exactly needs to be done. Crossing things off my list is a huge stress reliever for me.
Chris McConnell
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:15 pmWe just posted an article about dealing with stress for freelancers, including 6 tips: http://bit.ly/o9GcY
Damir
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 pmSport, loved ones and Playstation 3. Ultimate stress relief methods :)
Solomon
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:56 pmStress I give in to it often. I take pleasure going out and seeing the world moving fast before me. I also play with my son after his school and listening to his stories in the school makes me happy! Of course, a quick walk help me to relieve stress!
planb
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:20 amSometimes I will walk with the dog.
Behind you, breathing the fresh mountain air, all the troubles of stress.
Mike
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 amI find the best way to relieve stress when life seems all to busy is planning and organisation. If I have a realistic plan of what I have to do, when to do it etc, then I know that what I have to do is possible or impossible and I can simply relax knowing that I can accomplish what I need to do. Also prioritising and getting important projects completed first, which takes the pressure off.
M Smith
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:41 amFreelancing means you work within your own time. Manage it well.
Don’t overwork yourselves. Take note of how long you work.
Check out this interesting article :
http://freelancesupermarket.com/news/2009/10/19/contractors—how-many-hours-should-you-work.aspx
Augustine
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 amI go to the gym. When the stress is really bad I lift heavy weights and use the sauna.
Alison Rowan
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:33 amI tend to work well under pressure, which doesn’t do much to discourage me from procrastinating. When I’m really feeling stressed and need to get tons of work done, I have to change my situation. I change into different clothes, preferably comfier ones, move to my desk if I’ve been lazily using my laptop from my bed, make some hot apple cider, and turn on 65daysofstatic. That music is my all time favourite for working and designing to. Most of their music is entirely instrumental, so lyrics aren’t distracting. It calls just the right amount of attention to itself to both enjoy it and get stuff done at the same time. While I work, I just keep reminding myself that in x hours, it’ll be done. Relief will come in x hours. And then, I can sleep. So really, my biggest stress relief is taking care of the source of the stress. If I try to divert my attention from it, it’s always nagging at he back of my mind, and I just worry about wasting more time.
Gökhan Doğan
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 amI play computer games, and I would walk in the fresh air. Watching a good movie helps to control stress.
Juliet
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 amHi
I’m one for being well-prepared to try to avoid stress. But, of course, that is not always possible!
Yoga is a big stress reliever for me and, seeing as I’m always at home, a quick play with the dogs has to put a smile on my face and remind me that there is more to life!
Juliet
James Dudley
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 amEXCERCISE!!! Find whatever it is you enjoy for excercise, and get out and do it. For me, it’s mountain climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, or skiing.
Ahmed
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 amIn addition to what Lindsey has mentioned, exercise is very important in this siutation. Body, Mind and Spirit, they all have to be exercised on a daily basis and should be in a healthy shape in order to live our life properly. There is nothing can stop us if we keep those 3 elements aligned together.
Sherri
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 amI practice Lindsay’s suggestions. Others: ignoring the phones for a set time, walking in the neighborhood, and reading a magazine that has nothing to do with work!
BookAddict
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 amI find nothing relieves stress like cashing checks. The last traces of stress from even the most hellishly stressful job vanishes as the teller pushes a stack of currency toward me. The downside of this cash-induced amnesia is that a short time later I often end up ensnarled in another stressful job.
Cesar Chas
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 amI like going to the gym for relaxing, so I go everyday at the same time, no matter if it is raining, snowing, hot, whatever.
Of course, no phone, no email at that time. No client is more important to me than my daily training; they can always wait for an hour or two. What´s more, many times when I come back I see things more clearly and those problems aren´t so big really :)
Seth Etter
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:57 amI simply place my attention elsewhere. If something is stressing me, I do everything in my power to get my mind off of it so that it may sit on the back burner for a little while and then I can approach the situation logically. Stress is just a negative emotion that is hard to think straight when experiencing, so eliminating the emotion is the first step.
Cassie Armstrong
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 pmI agree with Beth. I take a deep breath. Assess the situation and then break the project down into parts. Tackle the parts one by one.
To clear my head, I take a nice long walk, weather permitting, or play with my grandson. These kind of breaks help me put everything in perspective.
The key is to realize that the obstacle or problem that you have to deal with is just temporary; it’s not the end of the world. Think of it as a spit in the wind.
Cassie
Keith / Great Documents
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 pmMy favorite anti-stress technique is best summarized in one word: M-U-S-I-C. Could be classical to light rock to jazz to blues, to spiritual to new-age. Music is a tremendous way to refresh the mind and de-stress.
Anne-Marie
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:36 pmI started meditating a few years ago and it does wonders for stress. (I wish I had begun sooner!) Meditating quiets your mind and you learn to live in the moment. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Exercise also helps. Even a five or ten minute walk can reduce your stress level quite a bit.
Char (PSI Tutor:Mentor)
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:32 pmSo, how to you relieve stress?
Go outside. De-clutter an area of the house. Break up work time with reading/DVD/physical activity. Vent with close friends or family.
How do you handle those difficult ups and downs?
Remember how I was taken care of during those other high stress times (am spiritual); remind myself that I will get in my way if I stress (poor absorption of food, lack of sleep, time wasting). Keep moving~I do something~sort email folders, clean house, trim garden, train dogs, help someone else out etc.
How do you handle major due dates?
Not leave things to last minute; do work in chinks of time not one long run, reward myself for competing each chunk (chocolate, reading/DVD/physical time).
What are your tips for other freelancers for managing their own stressful situations?
Plan for times of stress~ have coping strategies in place BEFORE the stress times
Keep moving~ do something (see above comment)
Keep a folder of alternative income ideas that can be put into action during slow work periods
Regularly put money on bills to keep in credit so not stressing during slow periods
Waqas
October 24th, 2009 at 2:37 amWhen I get stressed out I just take a step back and go through the things that are the cause of that stress. Prioritize the important ones, delegate the ones that can be handled by someone else and leave out the ones that are either not in my control or are rather unimportant in the current situation.
forsakinghalfloves
October 24th, 2009 at 6:53 amI practice yoga twice or thrice a week. It really helps me connect with myself and helps me properly channel my energies so I can really give any writing project my best.
Carla
October 25th, 2009 at 2:42 pmI like to leave everything at home and just take a walk in the neighborhood. Rain or shine (in Portland, its always rain), I have to get out of the house even for a short period of time. It makes a big difference for me.
I also workout and do some non work related reading and writing to clear my head.
Luke Jones
October 26th, 2009 at 7:32 pmMusic, people, games and television.
Some people might find it hard but I can just say that it’s those four things immediately. Music and people are the most important things in my life, I’d be nowhere without them. If I’m stressed I can stick on my iPod full blast and listen to something and I’ll either scream along (no, not sing along) or just lie down breathing slowly with my eyes closed – you should try it.
It’s important to me to have good people around, the ones who are most important to me are my girlfriend of nearly three years and my family – some people live far away from them and feel like they shouldn’t rely on their families too much but I completely disagree. Family (including your partner) is the one thing that will stick by you no matter what and always be there when you need them to, and I consider myself very lucky to be part of a large family and have an amazing girlfriend, even though I may not deserve her.
When I was still at high school, my form of therapy used to be punching things, because I used to get so frustrated and tense I knew I was going to either hurt someone else or do something drastic. it’s pathetic now I know, but I’ve calmed down now and I’m a much happier person, so I do all of the above.
Plus, you could always go for a Rod-esque punch dance in the woods, followed by rolling down a large hill.
M72
October 26th, 2009 at 8:41 pmplay games, excersise, simply go out or …wank! Seriously it works great for me. Instant stress relief.
Heather Villa
October 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pmReading helps me de-stress. It gives my mind a break from business matters and then I have a clearer head when get back to my office.
Teresa Cannon-Smith
October 27th, 2009 at 3:22 pmI go for a walk, outside if it’s nice or go shopping. I usually end up not buying anything, but the mindlessness of it seems to take my mind off things for a while.
Jorge
October 29th, 2009 at 10:17 amI do think of myself layed on a sofa on a friday night with an old scotch whisky on my hand and …of course… it is snowing outside
Annie M
October 29th, 2009 at 2:11 pmI was really stressed until I discovered that I wasn’t being as productive as I could be – mostly because i didn’t know how to organize my time or my space.
I found a productivity system designed specifically for creative people, and now my work day is way more streamlined. You can check it out here – it literally saved me: http://reframeproductivity.com
Scott Whipple
October 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pmI like to go for a walk around my hometown (Charlotte, North Carolina) and take pictures of the local typography – anything from numbers on buildings to store front signage. I find it relaxing and creative at the same time.
Geoff Corey
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:33 pmFor time alone I will sit on the front porch, listen to Kind of Blue by Miles Davis and have a scotch and cigar.
At night I turn off email on my iPhone. Every once in awhile I get an email that gets my goat. Does not make for a good evening with the family or trying to sleep. Turning off email eliminates this frustration.
On the weekend I hang with a big group of friends and do karaoke. Never ever thought I would ever sing in front of a crowd. After six months of hanging with the group I felt comfortable to try it out. I get better each time and so far have never cleared the room. Even get a few compliments. Now I look forward to it as a way of clearing my mind on a Friday night of all the baggage from the week.
dava
November 10th, 2009 at 1:57 pmList making usually helps me relax. It’s probably the act of breaking tasks and goals into steps, but making a few lists almost always helps me calm down when I have allowed stress to get the better of me.
Diego Ripley
December 29th, 2009 at 12:23 amEither a long squash session or strength training.