Entrepreneurship requires a significant degree of dedication, so much so that there’s a tendency to sacrifice self-care in pursuit of business-building. This approach can quickly overtake you, resulting in burnout, which can be detrimental to both you and your business. Zent shares some office solutions that can help you get organized in a professional setting by helping you meet all of your workspace needs.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is a term used to describe taking care of yourself and making yourself a priority from a physical, mental, and emotional standpoint. It means scheduling “you” time as a top priority along with critical business functions, and not relegating yourself to the back burner, even when time and resources are tight. While many people see self-sacrifice as an appropriate way of living when they’re getting a business up and running, left unchecked, this way of life has the potential to result in poor health, unmanageable stress and anxiety, and fractured personal relationships.

What Should I Eat?

Part of self-care is making mindful choices about what you consume in the form of food and drink. Going overboard with caffeine dehydrates you and leaves you feeling wired and shaky. Consuming too much alcohol can make you groggy and lead to poor decision-making, as well as potential problems with addiction. On the other hand, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, eating whole foods, fresh produce, and drinking plenty of water will make you feel better inside and out. It will also help improve your sleep cycle and give you more focus time and more energy to do the things you want and need to do.

How Can I Relax?

Put personal time on your calendar and treat it just like any other important appointment - in other words, don’t cancel vacation days - schedule them and keep them as a priority. This is especially important if you manage other people, which can be a stressor in itself. Relaxation for you might mean a leisurely lunch with friends, a family game night, a nice bath and book, or wearing comfortable clothes while binging your favorite TV show. The great outdoors can also be a soothing getting-back-to-nature time. Consider a primitive camping trip, or at the other end of the spectrum, “glamping,” living in nature with the creature comforts of home. For example, with a power bank, a sturdy stand, and your smartphone, you can stream your favorite shows while sitting beneath the stars.

How Can I Reduce Stress?

According to the American Psychological Association, exercise is good for you physically, as well as mentally. Create a home gym, join a workout program, or employ a friend to be your accountability buddy for morning or evening walks. You might also learn yoga, begin mindful practices, like meditating or take up journaling. Hiring out for some work or home tasks can also relieve stress and pressure. For example, you might utilize a freelance accounting firm to handle invoicing, accounts payable, and payroll, or a housekeeper to keep your home sparkling clean. Consider these costs to be investments in your business and your personal health and wellbeing.

How Can I Create Balance?

There’s a lot that goes into establishing a healthy work-life balance, and it all starts with learning how to say no. This can be a tough task for some people, but it gets easier with practice. You don’t have to explain yourself when you turn down a request or invitation, though if it makes things easier, simply cite your schedule. While it may be tough for startups, try to create and stick to set working hours as much as possible. This can be especially helpful when you’re caring for a family and want to ensure you’re fully present for the things that matter most to you. 

Entrepreneurial ventures are exciting and fast-paced, and while there are sure to be times when you need to work at full speed, try to make that the exception rather than the rule. Too much work will eventually result in overload, so a regular routine of self-care and carefully managed time can help you achieve a workable and healthy balance.