Holiday stress can affect anyone, but it can be particularly challenging for those who are self-employed. When you act as your own boss, all your work responsibilities rest on your shoulders, which can amplify stress when life is extra hectic. This holiday season, you may want to try some stress-relieving tips that may help you enjoy the season more and worry less about finances and other work-related matters.
Prioritize
When you work for yourself, you likely have some freedom when it comes to choosing your hours during the holiday season. Most people enjoy having some time away from work to spend with friends and family, but taking time away from work when you’re self-employed often means you’re making less money. This is one of those times when you may have to decide what’s more important and choose how to plan your time leading up to the holidays based on what’s highest on your priority list.
Set boundaries
As a self-employed person, you may struggle with setting boundaries that separate your work life from your personal life. When the end-of-year holidays come around, it’s important to be aware of how much downtime you’re giving yourself to do activities you enjoy. Understandably, you may want to take on more work to increase your income during this busy time of year, but it’s essential for your mental and physical well-being to ensure you have time to relax.
Prepare financially for next year
One of the best ways to alleviate stress during the holidays is to plan ahead in ways that can reduce stressful situations. Often, self-employed individuals have financial concerns during this time of year. One of the best ways to deal with those concerns is to start saving early in the year so you have the funds you need when the holidays arrive. Set up a savings account just for holiday expenses and try not to dip into that account until the holidays arrive.
The holiday season is a busy time for most people. But for those who are self-employed, the temptation to work as much as possible can be overwhelming. Most people find themselves spending significantly more money during this time of year, which can make you feel pressured to work more than normal. By finding ways to reduce your stress, you can better enjoy the holiday season.
