In the UK approximately 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year. Whilst itself isn鈥檛 considered a mental illness it is strongly linked to the development of common mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Working as a photographer often means you’re working for yourself and that can bring it’s own unique challenges and stresses, so we’ve put together some tips to help you de-stress and improve your mental well-being…
#1 Make sure you give yourself time off
And by ‘time off’ I don’t mean time socialising or “relaxing” where you regularly check client messages/emails on your mobile, I’m talking ‘turning your phone off, spending time with family and friends’ time off. Those in full-time employment often have the luxury of being able to clock out at the end of the day or for the weekend and completely switch off from ‘work mode’. When working for yourself it’s not so simple and many self-employed freelancers feel guilty completely switching off.
The feeling that if you don’t get the work done or book that new client who’s demanding your attention, you won’t be able to pay your mortgage or feed your family is one that you need to learn to suppress. In reality, if you’ve given yourself an evening off to spend time with your family or enjoy a hobby and that client can’t wait until the next working day for an answer then are they the type of client you want to be working with in the first place?
#2 Learn how to say 鈥榥o鈥
Hands up if you struggle to say no to things? I personally don’t think I could raise my hand any higher. In this 聽Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at MBS Manchester University says “People don鈥檛 think they can turn work down, but once you have experience and you鈥檙e settled, and have built up a network, you have to realise that when you are good at something, you can afford to say no”.聽If you’ve got a lot on your plate and a job comes up that you don’t have time for, rather than stress about squeezing it in or doing a sub-standard job, learn to say no in a polite and professional way. Whilst it may seem daunting at first, in the long run it will free up time and help keep your mental health on track.
#3 Exercise regularly
This is a general tip for everyone, not just those working for themselves. Regular exercise not only has obvious physical benefits but is also a great way to keep your mental health in check. Among others, some benefits of regular exercise include the reduction of anxiety, happier moods, increased self-esteem and reduced feelings of stress. You don鈥檛 have to join the gym or start running marathons, simply getting out for a walk each morning or attending a local yoga class could be a great place to start. Mental health charity Mind have some great for improving mental health through exercise.
#4 Stop comparing yourself to others
Theodore Roosevelt said 鈥淐omparison is the thief of joy鈥 and I don’t think I could have found a more accurate quote for the point I’m trying to make. Often what you see of competitors is only a snapshot, and it’s what they want you to see; an award they’ve won, a new high profile business partnership or a brand new office space. What they won’t show is contracts they’ve lost, clients that go elsewhere or projects that get cancelled. This addresses some really good ways you can grow in confidence and stop comparing yourself to others.
#5 Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
Human beings cannot function effectively without sleep. It聽helps repair and restore not just our bodies but our brains too and it’s vital for maintaining good mental health. There are many things you can do to including: keeping regular sleeping hours, winding down properly before bed and making sure your bedroom is a聽relaxing environment.
Are you a self-employed photographer? If so, what do you do to keep stress levels down and ensure you’re mental health is in check? Let us know in the comments below.