AD- This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you’re a freelancer, it can be hard to get away from your desk- and it can sometimes feel like you never get chance to take a break.
However, sometimes taking a break is the best way to improve your productivity– and sitting at your desk all day long can be counter-intuitive.
If you have trouble leaving your desk, don’t worry! I’m the same, and I’ve found a few simple ways to break up my day as a freelancer.
In this blog post, I’ve put together 5 ways to break up your day as a freelancer
1. Get active
One of the best ways to break up your day is to get active. Go for a walk, head to the gym or do a home workout to take your mind off work and get a much-needed break.
I like to go for a walk after lunch. I’ve found that giving myself this break actually makes me more productive and energetic in the afternoon- and it’s a nice change from sitting at my desk.
2. Work somewhere else
If you want to break up your day as a freelancer, it can be helpful to work somewhere other than your usual spot. Sitting at the same desk every hour of every day can get a bit boring, and it’s definitely not inspiring!
Take a trip to your local café or switch to a different room. From freelance translation services to blogging, most online freelance work can be completed anywhere- and the change of scenery might help you clear your head.
3. Meet up with someone
I love meeting up with friends and family during the day, such as going for lunch or even just a quick coffee.
It’s nice to have a chat with someone, especially as freelancing can become quite isolating if you don’t surround yourself with other people.
You could also chat to a friend on the phone to break up your day, especially if you’re feeling a bit stressed or you need a distraction.
4. Make your favourite food
One of the best ways to break up your day as a freelancer is to make some of your favourite foods. In particular, don’t forget to give yourself a proper lunch break- just like you would if you were working in a “traditional” job.
Give yourself an hour or even just half an hour to decompress, watch some TV or step away from the screen. You’ll definitely feel better for it!
If you’re looking for a few lunch ideas, check out my post: 17 Easy Lunch Ideas for Remote Workers
5. Run some errands
It might not seem like it, but running errands is such a great way to distance yourself from work.
Go out to the shops for some food or do your housework. These tasks will take your mind off work and give you some space. Once you get back to your desk afterwards, you might even feel a little more inspired.
How do you like to break up your day? Do you agree with my ideas? How do you take regular breaks from your freelance work?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
These are good tips. Something I need now. I’ve been working myself too hard these days. My mother advices me to take a brisk walk every morning before I started working and in the afternoon as well. So far it helps me to relax.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I think that sounds like a helpful idea, and getting active can really help your productivity 🙂 x
LikeLike
I always spend my mornings doing Yoga and a workout before I shower and get ready then really settle into work. I also like to go for a walk at some point to get away from the screens. Great tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a fantastic idea! I really need to prioritise getting away from screens in my day to day life- I use them too much and it’s a great way to take a break x
LikeLike
Super good tips! I also find I need to have an ‘active break’ so I go to the gym before dinner when I need to work in the evening it’s super helpful. Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that’s a great idea! I like to go to the gym after lunch, or after work to destress like you say. It really helps productivity x
LikeLike
Some great tips. Now that the weather is coming warmer and sunnier, I think I will be walking more. At the moment, I cannot do much working out as I would like. As I am always in pain from everything that I do in my current job. Hopefully soon. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I think walking is a great way to get some air and enjoy your local area, as well as enjoying warm weather 🙂 I hope you get chance to workout more too x
LikeLike
I’ve been getting more active when I’m home and started taking more walks outside now that the weather is getting nicer. Great tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s fantastic! I think taking walks outside will get easier as the weather improves too x
LikeLike
Here from Lashaan’s follow recommendation.
I’m not a freelancer, but I mostly work from home and the monotony can definitely creep in. Getting active is my favorite. Going for a walk makes a world of difference. Alternatively, I read or do a jigsaw puzzle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too! Fantastic ideas, thank you for sharing your thoughts x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very lucky to have a garden to escape to for my breaks – I find walking around and deadheading my flowers is a wonderful way to break up my day – great tips, Eleanor, thank you! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is such a fantastic idea! I don’t have a garden at the moment which is a shame- but there are lots of parks near me 🙂 thank you for sharing Lisa x
LikeLike
These are some great suggestions on how you can break up your day if you work freelance. When I am working on my blog at home, I set mini goals/tasks and then I will do a household chore, or have a break with lunch and watch some tv or play a game on my phone. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! That’s a great idea, I think you need to push yourself to take those breaks when you need a mental break from work. Thank you for sharing Lauren x
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are great tips. We’re not freelancers right now, but maybe one day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 one day!
LikeLike
This is perfect for when I’m working on a blog post too; I needed these reminders about breaking up my day/time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it can be easy to sit at the computer all day- but that’s so bad for you x
LikeLike
Getting active is so important when you are on the computer most of the day. Thanks for the tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! Thank you x
LikeLike
I like ten minutes with my eyes closed so I can focus again. Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great idea 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely tips, I love all of them! I do freelance translation, so working at a local cafe has helped my mental health massively! Thank you so much for sharing x Penny | whatdidshetype.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw that’s great! Working at a café around other people is so helpful, especially when you’re in need of company 🙂 x
LikeLike
When I have a blogging day, I like to run errands and/or exercise in between blogging tasks! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think exercise is great, and I’ve found it’s helpful to run errands and take my mind off my work x
LikeLike
These are definitely great ways to break up your day. Thanks so much for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Great post! I work a normal 9-5 right now but wish to work for myself in the future and these are great tips 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Deanna x
LikeLike
Great ideas, I love to meet with my friends. Sometimes I go with my cousin to walk as well outside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a lovely idea x
LikeLike
Great tips! I’m not a freelancer, I’ve been trying to stay active with the whole working from home situation, and now that the weather’s improving, I’m hoping to start taking walks again. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I think walking is a great way to break up your day when you’re working from home x
LikeLiked by 1 person
All sound advice. When you’re working from home, it’s really easy to stop doing stuff like that, especially during the covid. Although this isn’t quite as good an option, you can also take a break to watch an episode of something or just stepping out into the garden for a coffee (if you have a garden or like coffee)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too, I agree with your suggestion! I always try to watch something light while I eat lunch to distract me from working all the time. Fantastic comment, thank you
LikeLike
Great advice. My day is already broken up thanks to a toddler, haha!
Corinne x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I’m sure!
LikeLike
I’m much more productive if I go for a walk mid morning. Its like having a reset button.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! I agree x
LikeLike
You’ve shared some great tips here lovely! When I need a break I’ll defiantly be keeping these in mind. I’m much more productive if I have something to break up my day. Thank you so much for sharing this with us Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw thank you Elle 🙂 I am as well, I really need to remember that! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here x
LikeLike
This post is VERY helpful even just to me, as a content creator and blogger! I always have to take interval breaks so I don’t get overly consumed in my work to the point where I feel burnt out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you found it helpful 🙂 it can be so hard to manage everything x
LikeLike
This was a very helpful read to us bloggers. It’s hard to know when to take breaks as a blogger because we sometimes don’t have set schedules. We work in between our full time jobs or when we have time. I try to make sure to take breaks, eat meals in between & run errands to break up my day [ like you suggest]. This will ultimately help prevent burn out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 that makes sense, it can be such a busy time and we need to plan our schedule properly to stop feeling so frantic! That’s a great idea, it’s all about breaking up your day x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not a freelancer but these are some great tips! I work from home most of the time with my full time job so breaking up my day is important for me too, just because I hate sitting down all that time. I always try to walk on my lunch break for 10 minutes, or I will do a skipping exercise in the garden. I also take regular breaks from the screen xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou! Yes that’s so true, breaking up your work day is necessary for mental health and productivity 🙂 I have to get up for short walks too, otherwise my legs get so achy…. thank you for sharing your thoughts here x
LikeLike
I agree! Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a freelancer but use these to break up my work from home days – it can get a bit too intense staring at a screen for 8 hours
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great! I agree haha my back starts to hurt if I sit for too long too 🙂
LikeLike
These are great suggestions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Maria 🙂
LikeLike
These are all amazing tips! Haven’t taken the step yet to go freelance, but these tips will surely be helpful in the future! Breaking up the day by doing errands going for a walk or even read a chapter can really help x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Christina 🙂 I think just getting away from the screen is the best thing for my health (and productivity!). This applies if you’re working from home, too x
LikeLike
Love all these ideas Eleanor. Even as a Blogger/occasional writer I do find that changing my location/scenery helps me massively when I’ve work to do! 😊
Also going for a run really helps too Xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sarah! I think you just need a change sometimes x
LikeLike