A roundup of gig economy news and insights
We’ve curated some of the top topics circulating the web regarding independent contractors over the last month. This installment covers ways to reduce stress, including newly released books and binge-worthy podcasts to help your brain escape the pandemic. We’ve also got tips for making strategic money moves, a roundup of mental health apps to enhance your mental and emotional well-being, and techniques to help freelancers prioritize. We’ve gathered the details and provided links to more info.
Learn how to cope with anxiety
Many independent workers rely on repeat business and recommendations, so staying healthy and positive is key. Stress during a pandemic is natural, especially if you work as a delivery driver or in another job role on the frontlines of the pandemic. This National Public Radio piece shares six tips for coping with COVID-related worry, including using breathing techniques to help you stay calm, moving your body to fight anxiety, incorporating meaningful rituals into your daily routine, and more.
Try these mental health apps to alleviate stress
Apps are an indispensable part of many gig workers’ work lives, so why not try an app focused on your mental and emotional well-being? In this article, Healthline explores the ten best mental health apps of 2021 to give you the tools you need to manage everyday stress and assist with common mental health concerns as well as with specific issues, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many of these apps also provide evidence-based therapy techniques.
Make the most of your time off
Try to concentrate on activities that boost your happiness in your leisure time, like getting lost in a good book. This CNN Underscored article shares twenty new September book releases to dive into, ranging from love stories to cookbooks to selections in historical fiction. If podcasts are more your thing (audiobooks are great resources, too!), read this piece in Good Housekeeping, which highlights the 50 best podcasts of 2021 on subjects including comedy, storytelling, true crime, and more.
Increase your work productivity
Strategies to help you prioritize your tasks can help you reduce stress. If merely glancing at your to-do list overwhelms you, or if you’re having a hard time achieving work-life balance, give this article by MakeUseOf a read. After all, not all work is equally important, and every task can’t be urgent. Learning how to prioritize your work and structure your day can help you become more productive by teaching you to work smarter, not harder.
Make smart money moves.
In the lead-up to the holiday season, many freelancers take on seasonal jobs in addition to their mainstay gig work. If that’s you, you will be busy, so September is a great time to revisit your financial goals and set new ones. In this piece, Money provides a financial checklist for September, including information explaining if you qualify for help to pay your internet bill, tasks for homeowners, tips on planning for holiday shopping, and more.