Managing Stress as a Freelancer Journalist

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Freelance journalists face unique stressors — delayed pay, heavy workloads, and exposure to traumatic stories without newsroom support. Prolonged stress can lead to burnout, depression, or vicarious trauma.

Experts suggest practical strategies to protect mental health:

Recognize signs of burnout & trauma

Seek therapy, even a few sessions

Assemble a supportive team (friends, peers, or family)

Limit notifications and curate news intake

Focus on what you can control and take regular breaks

As Naseem Miller says, “Think of self-care as a job responsibility — intentionally caring for yourself is part of doing your best work.”