Running a business in a space where the hustle never stops, the allure of working at your pace, being your own boss, setting your own hours, and pursuing your passion is undeniable. But beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect picture lurks a danger that many overlook: the neglect of personal health.
As we chase clients, success in our business, strategic and powerful partnerships, work to meet deadlines, and strive to provide top-notch service day in and day out, it gets too easy to neglect our physical and mental well-being. However, this approach comes with a hefty price tag – one that could cost you not just your health, but also the very goals you’re working so hard to accomplish.
The Toll of Long Hours and Stress
Physical Health Impacts
The life of an artisan or freelancer often involves long hours hunched over a workbench or computer. This sedentary lifestyle can lead to a host of health issues, including obesity, posture issues, and cardiovascular diseases.
For all of us in this line of work, at one time or another, we have had to burn the midnight oil to push a client’s project over the line and ensure we delivered on time. While this is a great quality of a dedicated service provider, you should also be careful to ensure this doesn’t become a pattern, leaving you sleep-deprived. Chronic sleep deprivation can weaken your immunity, affect your cognitive abilities, and even increase the risk of accidents.
Mental Health Concerns
The mental toll of the freelance lifestyle can be a lot to handle. From working with different clients with unique expectations to ensuring you stay competitive in a tough market, to the uncertainty that trails famine cycles, the list goes on and on.
And if you do not take care, this can cascade to chronic stress, a constant companion for many self-employed individuals. In the long run, this can lead to burnout – a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can derail your career and personal life.
Anxiety and depression are also prevalent among freelancers and artisans. The pressure to constantly perform, coupled with financial instability and the fear of missing out on opportunities, can create a perfect backdrop for mental health issues.
And there’s also the isolation part, especially if you operate in a space where human interaction is limited. Without the social interaction and support that traditional workplaces provide, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of loneliness and decreased mental well-being.
Why Artisans and Freelancers Are Particularly Vulnerable
Several factors make artisans and freelancers especially susceptible to health neglect:
- Irregular income and financial stress: The feast-or-famine nature of freelance work can lead to constant worry about making ends meet, pushing health concerns to the backburner.
- Lack of employer-provided health benefits: Without the safety net of company-sponsored health insurance, many freelancers skimp on preventive care and regular check-ups.
- Blurred lines between work and personal life: When your home is your office, it’s challenging to “clock out” and make time for self-care.
- Competitive pressure: In a gig economy, there’s always someone willing to take your place. This can lead to overworking and a reluctance to take time off for health reasons.
The Long-Term Consequences of Neglecting Health
Ignoring your health might seem like a necessary sacrifice for success right now, but think of what happens 10 years from now… or maybe 20 years? Now you’re starting to get the picture, yeah? The long-term consequences can be harrowing and some of them will look like this:
- Decreased productivity and creativity: Poor health will lead to decreased output and diminished quality of work.
- Potential loss of clients or business opportunities: Missed deadlines or subpar work due to health issues can damage your professional reputation.
- Higher healthcare costs in the future: Neglecting preventive care now can lead to more serious and expensive health problems down the line.
- Impact on personal relationships: Chronic stress and poor health can strain relationships with family and friends, and trust me, you don’t want to become a recluse and exclude everyone that matters in your life.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, you see, there are ways to stay healthy while staying on top of the game…
This is where prioritizing is crucial.
Strategies for Prioritizing Health While Building Your Business
The good thing is that with some intentional action and the right decisions, you can take care of your health without sacrificing your professional goals:
- Establish a routine and set boundaries: Create a schedule that includes dedicated work hours and stick to it. If you have to, say “no” to work that exceeds your capacity.
- Incorporate regular exercise and movement: Study your schedule and find a good time to fit in a conscious, organized physical activity. And it doesn’t have to be anything extreme like rock climbing or running a marathon (who has the time for this anyway?), something as simple as taking brisk walks can improve your mood and energy levels. Also, if you can, try standing desks, walking meetings, or quick workout breaks between tasks.
- Prioritize sleep and rest: Aim for a healthy amount of sleep every night. On nights when you can’t (due to deadlines or personal projects), find some time in the day to cool off and catch up on the rest you missed the previous night. Remember, the body is not a machine and even machines break down under too much stress (I’m sure you don’t want this for yourself).
- Maintain a balanced diet: We know this can be hard to pull off in certain regions, but when you can make sure you fuel your body and brain with nutritious meals.
- Schedule regular health check-ups: Don’t skip your annual physicals or dental cleanings. Early detection of health issues can save you time and money in the long run.
The Role of Community in Supporting Health
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Engaging with a community can provide crucial support:
- Join professional networks or co-working spaces: These can provide social interaction and combat the isolation of freelance work.
- Seek mentorship and peer support: Connect with more experienced freelancers who can offer advice on maintaining work-life balance.
- Participate in group wellness activities: Join a sports team or fitness class to combine exercise with social interaction.
Conclusion
As an artisan or freelancer, believe it or not, your health is your most valuable asset. Neglecting it in pursuit of success is a short-sighted strategy that can ultimately undermine everything you’re working towards. So always see your health as an essential investment in your business and your future.
While we want you to make the changes needed, remember, Rome was not built in a day. You can start small – perhaps with a daily walk, a set bedtime, or a weekly meal prep session. Take time to build these habits and with time, these small habits can lead to significant improvements in your health and, by extension, your professional success.
Your talent, skills, and passion have brought you this far. Now, it’s time to ensure that you’ll be healthy enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come. After all, true success isn’t just about what you achieve – it’s about being well enough to enjoy it, right?
So, what small step will you take today to invest in your health and your future?
