Save Your Sanity (and Your Business) by Practicing Self-Care

There are so many upsides to being an entrepreneur. You’re your own boss. You get to dictate how your business is run. You get to exercise your creativity. However, with the power over your business comes great responsibility. For many entrepreneurs, that responsibility overshadows daily needs.

Unfortunately, it’s a vicious cycle: Putting too much focus on your business results in less time for yourself, which means less productivity and creativity, which leads to a decrease in business and more time invested in your business…you get the point.

It’s imperative to get ahead of the cycle and make time for work-life balance. The Splendid Path shares these practical self-care tips for entrepreneurs.

Get Moving

We know it and hear it all the time: “Exercise is crucial to a healthy life.” Yet, it’s easy to ignore, delay, or prioritize other things. We tell ourselves we will get to it later, but other obligations inevitably arise.

It sounds counterproductive, but if you make exercise a top priority, even if it means setting aside work, you’ll find that everything else improves. Exercise will decrease your stress, increase your energy, clear your mind, enhance creativity, and strengthen endurance to get through the day.

Here are some ways to add fitness into your life:

●        Take periodic walks throughout the day.

●        Join a class or use the gym at lunchtime.

●        Exercise first thing in the morning at home.

●        Use a standing desk.

●        Use an exercise ball as an office chair.

●        Start an office fitness competition.

●        Use a pedometer.

One device that many people find beneficial in helping them stay fit is a smartwatch or fitness tracker. These tools can monitor your progress toward meeting fitness goals which can keep you motivated and accountable. You can accompany your smartwatch with a sleek band and screen protector to shield it from potential damage.

We All Can Use a Little Help from Our Friends

Entrepreneurs are known to be go-getters and do-it-yourselfers. This mentality is great when it comes to getting a business up and running. However, none of us can be all things at all times, especially as a business grows.

If you experience business growth and realize you’re running out of time to get everything done, look to hire out services that are not central to the operation of your business. For example, to ensure the books are accurately kept and that you can focus on the product or service you’re marketing, hire an accountant or bookkeeper. If you’re finding data entry to be burdensome, hire a freelancer to do the inputting for you. The result will be less stress, more time for you, and increased focus on your business mission.

Finding Ways to Unwind

Discovering what helps you destress and unwind will take some trial and error. Some find that meditation relaxes the mind, increases focus and rejuvenates the spirit. Others find that going on long walks while listening to music is just what the doctor ordered, while others would prefer to be snuggled on the couch reading a book with a hot cup of joe in hand. Find the thing that makes your spirit come alive, and make time for it.

Being an entrepreneur is exhilarating, but it can also be draining. To ensure you can keep up your drive to run a successful business while finding balance with your personal life, it’s essential to make time for yourself and the things you need. Decrease stress where you can, and build up your body and mind simultaneously. You will find that all facets of your life, especially your business, will improve by taking time for self-care.

Brad Krause is the founder of the website Self Caring. After spending most of his time in a corporate setting and neglecting his own self-care far too long, Brad embraced his calling and decided to become a full-time life coach. He now spends the rest of his life helping people get a better foothold on their wellness above all else.