Creating online content can be a super stressful job. The pressures you face are different from what people working typical 9-5’s deal with. Instead of having a boss and coworkers, you have thousands of internet strangers watching you closely. Therefore, it’s vital that you learn to manage your stress so you can protect your mental and emotional well-being.

Here are a few important stress management tips for content creators.

1. Schedule days off for yourself every week.

If you work 24/7, you’re going to suffer from burnout, no matter how much you love your job. Once you hit that point, working may feel impossible. To protect yourself from burnout, you need to make sure you’re taking the time you need to rest and recover after a busy week.

Since you’re in charge of your own schedule, you need to plan a few days off every week. You can pick which days you want to be your “weekend,” but once you’ve selected them, do your best to adhere to them. On these days, give yourself some space and don’t do anything work-related. Close your laptop, turn off your email notifications, and enjoy your day.

2. Take time away from screens every day.

Humans weren’t made to sit in front of a computer or a camera all day. Even scrolling through social media on your phone can become a major source of stress if it takes up a huge chunk of your day. Using technology all day long will make you more tired and therefore more stressed.

So, you should take time away from screens every day. Step away from your computer, put down your phone, and turn off the TV. Give yourself a little time to indulge in a hobby like reading, running, painting, or journaling. You’ll learn to cherish this quality “me time.”

3. Prioritize sleep, healthy eating, and exercise.

Your physical health impacts your mental and emotional health, just like your mental and emotional health can affect your physical health. If you’re spending most of your time sitting at your computer, skipping meals to get more work done, and staying up late to finish projects, then your body won’t feel very good. As a result, your mind won’t feel very good, and your stress will only build.

Therefore, you need to prioritize your physical health, which includes getting a good night’s rest, eating healthy, and exercising a few times a week. If you start to feel run down, allow yourself a “sick day” to rest. Most importantly, don’t ignore what your body is telling you it needs just so you can keep hustling.

As a content creator, you need to prioritize your mental health. Incorporate these stress management tips into your daily life and seek out other strategies that work for you.