The idea of owning your own business is an exciting one. You get to set your own hours and have the freedom to do what you love. But as you may know, being an entrepreneur is not easy. You have to work hard and be constantly ‘on’; in order to grow your business. However, this can lead to burnout, which can create a domino effect that will affect your business.
That’s why it’s important to find ways to balance owning your own business with self-care.
Today, Tracey’s HIIT2FIT shares some tips on how you can be inspired to live a more balanced and happy life, both in the office and at home.
EOS points out that burnout is common among entrepreneurs and is very self-defeating.
Your business may fall off because your fatigue is causing you to use poor judgement.
You know things need adjusting, which makes you work longer hours, leading to more burnout until it begins to spiral downward. That’s why taking time out is not a luxury, it’s a business necessity.
But don’t wait until you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Create a schedule now that allows you an afternoon off every week. And if not an entire afternoon, at least leaving the office two or three hours early one day a week. You can use that time to go visit an art museum, walk around your local park or zoo, schedule a weekly art class, or join a bowling league – whatever takes you away from work both physically and mentally.
If you’ve been putting off taking a vacation, begin planning one now. Even if you can’t get away for months, just the planning part of it gives you something to look forward to while you’re looking at brochures, booking hotels, or even taking an online language course to get ready for your trip.
You can’t always control your deadlines or work-related financial stresses, but you can
control two things: your attitude and your work environment. Do your best to stay positive even when things are rough.
Making time for yourself, like a vacation and one early day (as suggested above) are great starts. Make sure you are also practising self-care, which means you are doing things you
love and disconnecting from work in the evenings and on the weekends.
Also create a positive work environment for yourself and any co-workers. Use calming colours like blues and lavenders, and add nature through potted plants and nature-themed
art. If there is conflict or the vibe feels tense, communicate your feelings and work to resolve the tension. Then, use a naturopathic cleaning remedy to reset the space for positivity.
When you’re busy, the last thing you may want to do at the end of the day is to cook a meal.
You may go to a restaurant, get takeout, or eat a frozen, microwavable meal. And while those are fine every once in a while, they certainly shouldn’t be a nightly habit.
Healthline notes that it’s possible to order healthy prepared meals that can be delivered fresh to you, either with all the ingredients included for you to put together yourself or those that only require baking in the oven.
You know exercise is important, but making time for the gym every day feels too tough to fit into your schedule. Try using your lunch break to take a 40-minute/2-mile walk (that still leaves you 20 minutes to eat). Take a walk to the grocery store when doing your
weekly shopping run, or ride your bike to catch a movie on your weekly afternoon off.
You can also purchase at-home exercise equipment inexpensively by looking at neighbourhood sites like Facebook Marketplace or visiting a used sporting goods store like Second Chance. But before investing in exercise equipment, go online and check out home
product reviews from experts who offer usage and other advice.
You want to be sure your purchases are durable, made of high-quality materials, and will last for some time.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, which means between 7 and 9 hours per night.
Turn off your laptop at least an hour before bed, do some yoga stretches (but nothing too strenuous) 30 minutes before bed, and avoid caffeine after 2 p.m.
For some extra help falling asleep, try using a free meditation and/or a white noise app.
There are so many duties that come with being a business owner that it can feel pretty overwhelming at times. The best way to keep stress under control is to set yourself up for success from the beginning. Before you invest time and money into your idea, conduct a market analysis to make sure there is a need (and want) for what you want to offer.
If things look promising, be realistic about the operational time and needs required to make your business a success. If you go into the business with realistic expectations, you will be less frustrated by the demands of entrepreneurship.
Stress is a natural reaction to the demands of work, but it can be a problem when it becomes chronic. Chronic stress is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and other health problems.
It can be difficult to take time for yourself to see the value in it, but it is necessary if you want to achieve success in both. By taking some time off, paying attention to your health, and using stress-relieving business practices, you and your business can grow in a healthy and positive way.
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Tracey’s HIIT2FIT offers private and personalised training regardless of your age, ability and
current fitness level. Connect with us today to learn more! +44 07900193846
