FFN #11: For The Love of Health

🧐 How Much Sitting Is Too Much Sitting?

Recently, a friend shared alarming research that made me sweat. It connected prolonged sitting to various chronic health issues, from heart problems to depression. So, how can freelancers combat this, given our overflowing to-do lists? We asked fellow freelancers for suggestions, a standing desk was the top pick since studies recommend standing for 4-6 hours daily. Other great ideas include taking short walks every 45 minutes, standing during public transit, walking to meetings or taking calls while strolling. Whichever solution you choose, it's a reminder not to neglect your health amid the hustle of work and business growth. Prioritize your well-being!

👭 Staying Connected & Avoiding Isolation

Freelancing is great for escaping office politics, but too much solitude can harm our health. Recent research shows a 50% increased risk of dementia from self-isolation. To combat this, we're now mixing work with a sprinkle of social interaction. We spend a few hours each week in local coffee shops or co-working spaces, reach out to the community for co-working, or work from the local park. This social interaction can offer numerous business benefits: networking opportunities, improved mood, lead generation, and heightened creativity. So, make it a point to stay socially engaged this week for your well-being and business success! 

🙋🏽‍♀️ Did Someone Say Boundaries?

We all know how fab freelancing is, it gives us flexibility over when and where we work. However, it's easy to blur work and personal life, leading to burnout. To combat this, we've made some game-changing switches in our routine. We've deleted Slack and emails from our phones at night and on weekends, allowing us to fully unwind, recharge, and return refreshed. We've also set clear boundaries with clients, notifying them when our work hours begin to prioritize tasks. If you struggle to voice boundaries with clients, we love taking inspo from Loe Whaley’s TikTok. Along with boundary setting, breaking up screen time with nature walks during the day has significantly boosted our productivity and is great for grounding ourselves. It's all about maintaining balance and avoiding burnout in the self-employed world!

Busty Lush

For our beer-loving freelancers! Meet Busty Lush, a brand born from the vision of female founder Laurel. As the wife of a brewer and a mother to two, Laurel was inspired to create her own range of non-alcoholic malt beverages as a celebration of beautiful and unapologetic women. There are four delicious flavors to choose from, with the can art and design created by fellow female founders too. Cheers to women empowering women in business!