Everyone knows that running a business takes a ton of work. However, many people underestimate just how much of a toll that work can take on business owners. When you are spread very thin, you typically have a lot more trouble taking good care of yourself than when you have more free time in your schedule. As a result, your mental and physical health can begin to suffer.
That is why it is so important for entrepreneurs to have a solid self-care routine in place. You can build any kind of self-care routine — mix and match the ideas below, or use something else that works for you. The important part isn’t necessarily what you do, it’s that you have a routine you can consistently stick with. Here is a look at a few more ways you can give yourself some TLC while running a business:
Assess Your Schedule
The very first question you need to ask yourself when it comes to self-care is, “Am I more overscheduled than I need to be?” Business ownership is a naturally busy role. However, the type of people who tend to become entrepreneurs are also the exact type of individuals who are likely to take on even more work. High-achievers may take on more of the business ownership workload than is really necessary, leaving them even more stressed out.
That is why it is so important to assess your schedule and figure out if you are making room for work-life balance. Many business owners neglect this balance and wind up burning out. This is bad for you and your business since burnout can make it hard - or even impossible - to stay on top of your long-term goals. Make sure you have a few waking hours every day that you spend doing something completely non-work related. This way you don’t wind up in a situation where your life is just work and sleep. On that note, however...
Get Enough Sleep
Often business owners create a work-life balance by pushing their bedtime back. However, this can backfire in a major way. Poor sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling tired during the day — it can actually take years off your life. Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep every night in order to keep their bodies running at their best.
There are several things you can do to facilitate this. First, create a regular sleep schedule. As much as possible, go to bed and get up at the same time every single day. This will help your body regulate its circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep and get up with time. You should also make a point to sleep in a quiet, cool, dark room. Avoid using screens such as laptops, TVs, or smart devices in bed, since the light from these screens can disrupt hormone production necessary for a good night’s sleep.
Eat Right
A healthy diet is another aspect of self-care that often falls to the wayside for business owners. After all, eating a well-balanced meal typically takes time, which is, more often than not, in relatively short supply for entrepreneurs. As a result, many business owners wind up either relying on fast food or skipping meals, neither of which supports a healthy body.
You can avoid this problem by dedicating one day a week to meal prepping. This is a system in which you spend one day cooking and preparing everything you need to eat fast, healthy meals throughout the week. There are tons of programs out there dedicated to helping people figure out how to meal prep. Moreover, the work can vary from making the meal in its entirety, to simply measuring and preparing the ingredients you know you will need throughout the week. Look into a few different systems to see which style is best for you.
Enjoy Your Time Off
Leave work for the office and find some local activities you can enjoy with friends and family. Not only will you be able to relax, but you will have the opportunity to catch up and socialize with loved ones. If you are a sports fan, take in a game. You can also go out to a nice dinner, spend a day at the beach, or enjoy the outdoors. Whatever activity you choose to participate in, try to keep work off your mind.
Commit to Skincare
When you are very busy, your stress levels tend to skyrocket. This has a direct impact on every single one of our body’s organ systems, including the skin. As a result, many of us tend to have unpleasant - and often, embarrassing - breakouts when dealing with stress. This is where a consistent skincare routine can make a big difference.
Of course, the right skincare routine varies from person to person. If you are not sure what works best for you, it may be best to work with a professional. They can help you identify issues such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and more. They can also point you toward useful tools for managing and preventing breakouts so you can have healthier skin each and every day.
Exercise Daily
Our bodies need movement, especially when we are at our most stressed. You don’t necessarily need to do intense, prolonged exercise every day. In fact, walking for half an hour each morning can make a massive difference for both physical and mental health. Consider adding a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood into your morning routine.
This simple act can go a long way when it comes to reducing stress. When we don’t get enough exercise, our bodies start to build up stress hormones, making us irritable, restless, and inattentive. This makes it harder to focus and achieve your goals, which in turn creates more stress. Exercising breaks this cycle, allowing our body to let go of some of those stress hormones and find balance.
Drink More Water
Last but not least, consider finding ways to commit to proper hydration. Most adults need at least 11 cups of water a day - or more - in order to be fully hydrated. Although this transition can leave you rushing to the bathroom more often for the first couple of weeks, your body will adjust. Once it does, you will feel healthier, more energized, and ready to take on the day.
As we said above, these are just a few of the tools you can use to create a sustainable self-care routine. Focus on building habits you can fit into your everyday schedule in order to give yourself the best chance at sticking with your goals long-term. This way, you wil give yourself the care and energy you need to build a business you can be proud of!
Personal Trainer Sheila Olson encourages her clients to stay positive and incorporates mindfulness and practices for reducing negative talk into her sessions. She created FitSheila to spread the word about her fitness philosophy.