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When you’re starting your own business, self-care becomes more important than ever. Why? Because if you let yourself go, you won’t be 100% for your business, and that can lead down a quick path toward failure. And, failure isn’t an option. Here are a few ways to boost your health—and in turn, your wealth—by focusing on yourself instead of your business.
Outsource
As a business owner, you are probably already used to hiring help for your daily operations. If not, it’s time to start. Not only should you have a staff in place that can handle your company while you’re away, you can also appoint one-time helpers for time-consuming tasks. This will not only save you money, but, more importantly, it will also free up time so you can focus on other issues.
Relax
When you’re a busy entrepreneur, especially if you work a full-time job and have a side hustle, relaxing is often difficult. We get into the habit of working when we should be resting. Give yourself a few vital moments away from your phone or computer. The best place to do this is at home, which you can optimize for providing you with good energy.
Take a nap
According to Edward-Elmhurst Health, there are lots of benefits associated with napping, even for adults. A quick snooze in the afternoon—30 to 45 minutes—can help you power through the last several hours of work. A few Zzzzs might sound counterproductive, but it can actually make you faster and more efficient, meaning you’ll get through your work on time or even early.
Focus on your face
If you’ve ever seen the 20-somethings emerge from a long day of work looking what your grandmother would’ve called “bright eyed and bushy tailed,” you probably felt pangs of jealousy. Well, no matter your age, you can get the same rejuvenated look by taking care of your skin. A monthly facial, great skin care products, and natural makeup will go a long way toward improving your self-image, and it may give you a boost of confidence. Why is confidence important? Because, as career website WiseStep explains, confidence is a “basic ingredient for leadership.”
Get away
While you might think of self-care as things you do for your body, you also have to take care of your mind. A weekend trip is a great way to fit some much-needed downtime into a busy schedule. Plan to either go by yourself, or hit the road with your closest friends and family. You’ll also want to plan to take some time off at least once a year for at least eight days, which is considered the ideal vacation length.
Eat well
No article about self-care would be complete without at least a mention of healthy eating. Obviously, you know that you should avoid excessive sweets, alcohol, and fried foods. But, how do you do that when you’re busy working? The answer: pack your own lunches. You don’t have to eat a gourmet meal every day at noon to fuel your body the right way. Something as simple as a salad or sandwich wrap is much better for your body than a drive-through chicken sandwich.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean sacrificing your business. In fact, the opposite is true. What you put into yourself matters to your success. So, don’t be afraid to step away from the grind when you need a break. The time you spend not working may just make you more successful in the long run and will keep you from burning out before you have a chance to truly shine.