Why Rest Days Are Important to Freelance Writers

All work and no play can make you a bad writer. As a freelance writer, it's easy to dive into work for days on end without coming up for air. We've all done it. It's 9 am on a rainy Saturday. You've been awake for hours. Chores are done, your to-do list is empty, and you're sitting in your home itching to check your email or get started on that article that isn't due for a few more days. After all, if you get it done now you'll have more time to get more done later, right?

Or if you work with marketing agencies, this might ring true: You awaken to an email from your client asking if you want a few assignments for the weekend. Every fiber of your being screams, "No, it's your day off." But you ignore it and reply yes instead. More work means more money, right? But at what cost?

Taking a Break Makes You a Better Writer

During the first three years of my freelancing career, I struggled to find and keep clients. Getting once-off projects was easy, but they eventually ended - sometimes through circumstances beyond my control and sometimes through personal shortcomings. So, early on, I built a habit of going all work when there's work because it won't last. As a result, I'd go for weeks without taking a day off. I justified it by saying, "I take half days and when I'm tired." That wasn't healthy.

Just like the body gets tired from physical labor, writing takes a toll on the mind, and you need to let it recover.

When writing a blog post, you process information and find creative ways to present and articulate it, so readers will actually be interested. You're learning, thinking and problem-solving. Anyone can jot down a list of steps or spew out facts. It takes skill and creativity to craft a compelling post that hooks readers, holds their attention, and converts them into customers.

When you're working at your peak, you'll probably get 5 to 6 hours of focused work done in a day. But to achieve that, you have to integrate breaks into your workday and the week. If you don't, the quality of your work will suffer, and it'll take longer for you to complete your tasks. So, to optimize your workday efficiency, rest.

In his book Eat that Frog, Brian Tracy says that the point of time management isn't so that you can work more. It's to accumulate enough free time, so you can live more. So, if you're not getting enough rest, then the time that you've allotted for work is actually just adding to your stress. And that's what we all want to avoid.

"The purpose of time management and getting more done in less time is to enable you to spend more face time with the people you care about and doing the things that give you the greatest amount of joy in life." - Brian Tracy        

When you're not taking care of yourself, you're not as efficient as you could be. You might even end up burning out or letting your clients down. And that's not worth it, is it?

How To Rest After a Week of Writing

Before I delve into some ideas for recuperation, let's settle one thing: rest is not synonymous with sleeping. On average, an adult human needs seven or more hours of sleep. There's a big difference between taking time to sleep and taking time to rest - you need both. You can't do much when you're dead tired. On the other hand, when your mind is fresh, and you've recharged, it is easier to access the mental clarity and freshness you need to produce quality content.

When your mind is fresh, and you've recharged, it is easier to access the mental clarity and freshness you need to produce quality content.

So, it's important to incorporate rest into your workday and to set aside designated rest days or no writing days. Think of rest days as a chance to recharge and rejuvenate. If you've ever stared at a blank page frustrated that nothing makes sense, you probably need a break from writing.

Here are a few suggestions for how to use your leisure time after a week or day of writing:

• Connect with friends - Humans are social creatures. We create communities, rely on each other to survive, and have built structures to help us thrive together. Use this time to be social. Have an after-work drink with friends, hang out with your buddies on the weekend, or play board games.
• Cooking/Baking - Do something creative that doesn't involve words, like cooking or baking. You could try out new recipes or meal prep for the week ahead.
• Reading/Learning - As a writer, it's critical to read and learn outside your own niche. Read fiction for fun or pick up an industry-related book. Learn a new language, or take a pottery class. Just do something that isn't directly related to work.
• Exercise - Building physical activity into your week is important for overall health. Working up a sweat will help you clear your head and boost creativity. If you don't have time to hit the gym, go for a run or jump rope at home. Or create a playlist with your favorite songs and have a dance party.
• Watching TV/YouTube - Personally, this is my favorite way to turn off the content machine. Passively consuming content and not thinking recharges my creativity faster than anything else.
• Do nothing - There's nothing wrong with doing absolutely nothing. For me, this is the fastest way to shake off writer's block and get back in the zone. I just turn off my phone and laptop and lay on my bed or chill on the couch doing absolutely nothing.
• Be bored - The least appealing option for me, but sometimes you need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. If nothing else works, give it a try.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish.

Rest Is a Crucial Part of a Writer’s Day, so Don’t Neglect It.

You don't have to do all or any of these suggestions. Pick one or two that work best. It's about what you enjoy and where your interests lie. And be sure to follow through. Don't schedule a day off and then spend the whole time checking emails.

How often do you take breaks? Share your experiences in the comments. I'd love to hear from you