Time spent on your personal wellness is not time wasted. It is important when you are freelancing or running your small business that you take a step back every now and then to focus on yourself. This could be a long weekend, or just a few minutes out of your day.
Here is a short list of helpful things you can integrate into your day-to-day routine that will lessen stress and help your mind focus and work better once task come to the forefront.
Meditation. It is hard at first but there are new free apps on your phone that can help with this. Meditation is one of those things that everyone hears about but it is intimidating to start. Like all lifestyle changes, start small and do what you can. Making the conscious decision to change your behavior everyday can have lasting beneficial elements on your life. It can help you focus better at work and in conversations, lower blood pressure and alleviate headaches. They key is to start gradually. Apps like Headspace are a great way to ease into this new practice.
Coloring. Yes, coloring. Adult coloring books are very popular right now for a reason. It is a kind of meditative way to focus your attention while accomplishing something tangible. It is a satisfying practice that has real time results. Once there was nothing, and when you are done there is something visual that you have completed. This fulfills our baser need to complete things. It can have a lasting effect throughout the day and carry over into the work you do. If you feel that sense of accomplishment that can reflect on the other tasks you do during the day.
Reading. It seems like doing nothing, and unfortunately those who don't read will see you reading and think it's ok to start talking to you. Ugh to that whole situation. But do get lost in certain books. Even instructional books about writing or cook books, I take those kinds of books to bed with me. Reading about how to brew a perfect cup of tea, what the difference is between regional coffee beans, those are topics I get lost in.
Go Explore. Play tourist in your own town for a day. You may see things you never saw before, and photograph things at different angles. When I'm stuck I tend to take a day to play. I go to neighboring towns to look at old graves or walk in public parks, museums or just around the main street businesses to pull some inspirations out.
