In this text, I will be discussing mental health and its effects as far as freelancers are concerned. It is itself a huge heading in which a lot of subheadings can be discussed such as Stress and Depression. But in this article, I will only be covering it concerning freelancers. 

What Is Depression?

Depression is that you are feeling sad and worry over things a lot that means you are stressed out. But if you are engaging in sadness over more periods of time and experience it repeatedly this will be converted into a serious medical illness known as Depression. It will not only affect your mind but your physical health and plenty of your daily goals will be affected. 

How Depression in Freelancers Presents? 

The most common signs and symptoms of depression in freelancers best described by the World Health Organization are:

• Affecting the mind’s performance for example difficulty in concentration, memorization, and getting on to the conclusion.
• Mood related problems: Irritable, excessive sadness.
• Changes in sleep cycle: Sleeping a lot or lacking sleep.
• Changes in diet: Eating a lot or eating less than usual.
• Feeling tired all the time
• Unable to perform daily life activities
• Avoiding gatherings and social interactions.
• Unexplainable pains in different sites of the body.
• Feeling sad, tragic, empty, and vulnerable more often.
• Suicide thoughts.

What Factors Are Involved For Depression In Freelancers?

This is no doubt that freelancing is having a lot of dominance when it comes to traditional jobs but there are also obstacles faced by freelancers which are hard to neglect. One major obstacle is their declining health concerns. Below are 5 most important factors that a freelancer normally face on daily basis and are responsible for depression in freelancers 

1. SEGREGATION

One of the most common problems causing depression in freelancers is segregation. Working online is convenient so most of the people who are working as freelancers try to make the most of their day as possible.

They spend the majority of their time in front of a computer screen, which not only damages eye health but eventually affects mental health causing depression in freelancers. The time you are spending before your electronic screen alone leads you towards Depression.

2. LESS HUMAN CONTACT 

Spending a large amount of time in front of the computer working will not allow you to give time to friends and family. Thus, there will be less human and social contact which is crucial for your mental health lack of which leads to depression.

3. LACK OF JOB STABILITY 

Freelancing is quite different from 9-5 jobs. You will not get any stability in your jobs or your salary. This thing sometimes develops stress and anxiety leading to depression.

4. LARGE APERTURE BETWEEN PROJECTS

I know that in freelancing most of the time you are getting projects to work on, and there is a possibility that you will have long gaps between the projects, you will worry that you are not getting any work and this will push you towards depression.

Especially people who are emerging freelancers they will have a hard time getting their projects and there is a high chance of getting them depressed. 

5. CLIENTS AND PAYMENTS RELATED STRESS 

In freelancing, you have to deal with clients online and there is a lack of a lot of things in between. Some clients give you hard time on a project or releasing your payments on time, and believe me there are many of them like that in the market who are hard to satisfy and in doubt increase stress level in your mind which will in due course lead to the way towards depression.

How Can A Freelancer Prevent Depression? 

• Time management is key. Even if you are working as a full-time freelancer, divide your time and take breaks in between.
• Try to take a break every 50 mins for 10 mins and at this time talk to your family and friends, do some physical household work. 
• Spare 1 day in your week to chill and off from the computer. Go out with your friends and family, enjoy your time.
• Take projects up to your capabilities. Everyone is different some people are quick others take time to complete a task. Analyze yourself and take projects accordingly. Don’t overburden yourself.
• If you are having gaps in getting projects don’t get disheartened. In these times try to learn new skills and focus on your productivity. 
• To avoid issues with clients always deal on third-party platforms, such as Fiverr and Upwork, or make an official and authentic project deal on paper, so that no one can lay their back.
• Practice stress-relieving routing such as yoga and breathing exercises. 
• If you need to talk to someone talk to your friend or family about your situation and if needed get medical help.

The Take-home lesson is that being worry and ends up depressed is not the solution to any problem. Try to be productive and motivated. Stop unbearable circumstances even before they are initiated. Every problem has a solution but you should have the art to find it out. Stop being stressed out as you know that it will eventually end you up with depression. 

It is already hard to cope up your mental health during COVID-19. Freelancing is a beautiful thing but if it making you sick and you can’t control yourself take a break from work for some time and get back later. Please be polite to yourself and go easy on you. Enjoy everything as I always say in moderation. And learn more about depression with the national institute of mental health,