Every contractor knows that choosing contracting as a career path can bring its challenges. Although a highly rewarding career option, contractors face unique challenges such as often taking on several different contracts throughout the year, having to seamlessly fit into new workplaces each time they take on a new contract, working with many different clients and colleagues all on top of juggling being self-employed.
For this reason, it's important that contractors know how to keep their mental health in check. To help, Umbrella Search has put together this guide outlining our top tips on looking after your mental health.
1: keep connected
As we’ve mentioned, the nature of contracting often means that contractors can work on several different contracts in any one year.
Each time you take on a new contract, you also meet new clients and coworkers. Unlike an employee, you don't have continuity of who you work with, meaning it can be difficult to form relationships, especially when contracts are short-term.
In order to deal with this and the impact that a lack of working relationships can have on you, it's important that contractors keep connected in order to maintain a supportive network.
There are several ways contractors can build a network outside of the office, including:
Networking: networking is not only important for professional development, it’s also an invaluable tool to help contractors meet fellow professionals in their sector. This is a great way to build a network of individuals that can be supportive in place of permanent coworkers. You can find out more about tips to boost your skills as a contractor in our handy guide.
Online networking: Like traditional face-to-face networking, online networking can also be an invaluable tool. From online forums to sites like LinkedIn, there are plenty of online spaces you can share information and communicate with fellow professionals.
Socialising: as well as making an effort to network with other contractors and people in your sector, contractors should also carve out time to socialise with their friends and family regularly.
Making an effort to socialise professionally and personally will help to keep your mental health stronger, giving you a vast support network.
2. Get out and about
Whatever area you contract in, many contractors will find that they are often behind a desk. Whether you’re in an office, or working from home, it is important to make time for physical activity every day in order to boost your mood and keep your mental health strong.
You may choose to go for a run, a walk, or even just make an effort to get up from the desk and have a stretch and short walk about; it's key that you stay active. What's more, getting out of the office or house and into nature is a great way to have a quick reset and stay in tune with yourself, which is great for your mental health.
3. Sleep well
Good sleep is key to not only being productive at work the next day, but is crucial for making sure you’re at the top of your game and in good spirits. Enough quality sleep of around. 7 to 9 hours each night is essential to make sure you're well rested in both body and mind.
4. Create a routine
Contractors can sometimes struggle with a lack of routine due to working on different contracts in different locations and working different hours.
For this reason, it can be difficult to have structure and predictability which are beneficial for good mental health.
Although your contract and its location may change, there are ways you can create a routine for yourself.
This includes:
- Setting your work hours: in the age of working from home, it can be difficult to know when to switch off. That’s why it’s important to set your working hours and make sure you stick to a routine. It can help to work in a separate office space if you have one so you can physically leave the room once you've finished work, which sets a physical boundary. Or, try doing a certain activity such as going for a walk to signify the end of the working day.
- Set break times: taking short breaks is a great way to recharge. Make time to take short breaks throughout the day, whether that’s to make a cup of coffee, stretch your legs or get a breath of fresh air.
5. Set your boundaries
To promote good mental health, it’s important that everybody has down time that’s uninterrupted by work. Time to switch off is crucial and so you will need to have boundaries in place.
Here are some tips for setting boundaries to have
Keep work and home life separate: when possible, try to keep work and home separate. If you work on-site or in the office, this can be easier, as when you return home, this will signify that it’s time to switch off from work. If you work from home or have hybrid working, this can be a little more tricky, however, by setting up a dedicated work space you can then walk away from at the end of the day you are telling yourself that work has now finished and it’s time to focus on home life. By having this physical divide, you will help disconnect mentally from work, too, giving yourself precious time off, which is a great boost for your mental health.
Know that saying no is ok: sometimes it’s tempting to say yes to everything. You may want to take on lots of projects at any one time however, it’s important that you know your limits and recognise when to say no. After all, taking on too much at any one time can lead to burning out which will ultimately harm your wellbeing and your career. Know that quality over quantity is usually the best way forward.
Use an umbrella company to make life that little bit easier
Another way to make your life as a contractor much easier is to use the services of an umbrella company. After all, an umbrella company takes on all the hard work that comes with contracting for you, acting as an intermediary between yourself and the client. This massively reduces your workload and frees up more of your precious time to focus on yourself.
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