Entrepreneurs are notoriously known to take on more than they can handle.
I realised this when I left my soul-destroying 9-5 office job to pursue a location independent journey as a content creator.
What kept me going?
From the top of my head: having a semi-flexible schedule, continuously growing, forming long-lasting business relationships, spending more time with loved ones, eating lunch at home, no more getting stuck in peak traffic, being free to go anywhere at any time.
You might know these are only a few benefits of working for yourself. And I don’t know about you, but this made the burnout at the beginning worth it for me. I soon realised I needed solid self-care habits to minimise the likelihood of losing traction.
Here’s the thing. Self-care is necessary to maintain good all-around wellness. Without it, we are less likely to reach our goals, and our experience of the world and everyone around us suffers as a consequence.
Try these self-care tips if you need help managing a busy lifestyle as an entrepreneur. I hope they knock your socks off.
1. Prioritize time for yourself
Whether it’s for 10 or 60 minutes a day, block out time to do what makes you feel fulfilled. This is crucial to your well-being. Lately, I like to start my day slow with a cup of coffee outside while watching the birds quench their thirst at the garden birdbath. Some days I grab my journal and jot down what I’m grateful for or I pour my soul onto the pages. Whatever “me time” is for you, prioritise that.
2. Nurture your body and mind
What you consume daily affects your health and wellness more than you think, which includes what you watch, read, eat, drink, and how you spend your energy. Focus on nurturing your mind and body in ways that will help you grow and feel great inside and outside: drink lots of water, eat real food, avoid artificial sugar, reduce the negativity of the world, give back to your community, and be kind to yourself and others.
3. Develop healthy boundaries
If you are an empath with unlimited love in your heart, you might find saying “no” to be the most difficult task to accomplish. I feel you. But I’m here to tell you it’s okay to decline anything that doesn’t serve you well at the moment. It’s healthy to say “no” and set boundaries with people around you. Those that can’t accept your limits, weren’t meant to be in your life, to begin with. Let them go.
4. Focus on one task at a time
Hi, I’m Celesté Polley, and I have 2731 tabs open in my brain. Yep, I know too well how difficult it can be to focus on and complete one task at a time. The truth is, working on multiple tasks is the quickest way to burn out. As a result, your productivity decreases, you end up with zero progress and more frustration. Ditch the multitasking.
5. Move your body
Now, if you are like me and you don’t enjoy vigorous exercise, opt-in for slow yoga in the garden, a quick hike in nature, or a walk around the neighbourhood. Whatever you do, just move. You will never know what works for you if you don’t experiment with different methods. If it’s particularly hard for you to stay consistent, ask a buddy to join you or hold you accountable.
6. Practice healthy sleep habits
Scientific research makes it clear that sleep is the foundation of our overall well-being. Adequate sleep helps the body rejuvenate, grow, and repair. Having consistent and healthy sleep habits is your ticket to a well-rested morning and to keep you on top of the challenges of daily life. The objective is to utilise your limited time and be productive during your working hours.
7. Do the inner work
Mindfulness meditation is a magical self-care strategy for busy people and fortunately, it doesn’t take up a lot of time. All you need is the here and the now and to focus on one of your 5 senses. It helps you manage stress and anxiety, as well as increase your ability to regulate emotions that can hinder your progress.
8. Take regular breaks
My last self-care tip might seem counterproductive, but as soon as you feel the benefits of regular breathers, you’ll start to block out an entire day away from work to recharge. The act of scheduling a break makes you more likely to follow through and normalise taking frequent breaks. Grinding every minute of every day of the week, month, and year is a thing of the past. Self-care has become a trend for a reason: you deserve to be healthy, happy and productive.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to add all 8 self-care tips to your life right away. Start with one or two and gradually include more as you notice what works best for you. Remember, you have a choice to make time for yourself. Self-care doesn’t require a lot of time. As long as you start small, prioritise and listen to your needs, you are more likely to stick to your new habits and see results.