Most entrepreneurs know that it takes a lot of hard work and grit to make a company successful.
While working overtime often is a must, even the most successful people need a break to recharge in order to continue to perform at their best.
If you’re a busy entrepreneur who struggles to take care of yourself — you know who you are — we have some tips for how to take care of yourself and ensure you’re operating at your best:
Don’t ignore your stress
This may seem like an easy one, but the first step to de-stressing is acknowledging you are stressed. When you’re stressed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. Eventually, you hit your breaking point. Acknowledging your stress and giving yourself time to unwind helps you stay more productive in the long run.
Actually take a holiday
When you’re the boss, it’s easy to feel like the company will crumble without you there. But you’re likely burning yourself out and taking away a chance for your employees to shine. Schedule that holiday. Then delegate responsibilities so your employees have a chance to show you what they’re capable of. This helps you recharge and lets you see who the budding leaders in your organisation are.
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Get some sleep
Pulling an all-nighter might feel like it’s synonymous with being a successful entrepreneur, but in reality, not getting enough rest is causing you more stress and fatigue and hindering you from performing at your best. Scheduling time to sleep is just as important as the other tasks on your to-do list.
Exercise for 20 minutes
As little as 20 minutes of exercise is shown to reduce stress and release some dopamine into your system. Your workout keeps your body healthy, helps fight getting sick, and elevates your mood and energy.
Meditate
It may feel impossible to get some quiet time, but starting or ending your day with meditation can help ease your racing thoughts and give you time to unwind.
Delegate
Often leaders feel like they’re the best person to accomplish a certain task. And while it may be true that you’d do a slightly better job on a project than one of your team members, that doesn’t mean you should be the one doing it. Prioritise your to-do list and ask your team members to step up based on their skills. Delegating helps you free up more time for the tasks that truly only you can do.
Spend time unplugged
Even if you’re just scrolling through Instagram, it’s likely tempting to check your email. Put down the electronics and spend some time in silence. This could be as simple as going for a walk outside without your smart devices.
Stay organised
Understanding how you spend your time helps give you control over your schedule. Look for where you might be wasting time or can spend less on a certain activity, then schedule in breaks for yourself as a nice reward.
Find a hands-on hobby
Having a way to channel your stress is a great way to reduce your tension. Find a hands-on hobby like building a car engine, knitting, or doing a puzzle that helps you focus.
Connect with other entrepreneurs
There’s a saying: “it’s lonely at the top.” By finding other entrepreneurs to connect with, you can hear from people who have similar experiences as you. You might even get some tips on how to improve parts of your business — or better yet, de-stress.
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