Self-Care is an Investment
SELF-CARE IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS.
You've been having 60-hour workweeks for months; this week is no different. You've been in meetings and telephone conferences all day, you've missed lunch, and you've forgotten your medical appointment because your meeting lasted longer than expected. You are alone at the office after hours trying to work on your latest project, follow up with potential clients, while staring at a stack of unfinished paperwork that needs your attention. How can you fit all these things in a regular 40-hour workweek? You will need to optimize your time and learn to tell others "no" at some point. When does self-care become a priority?
Flight attendants instruct us to put our oxygen mask on ourselves first in case of an emergency for a reason. Why? Because if you don't look after your own basic needs, you aren't any use to anyone else. You don’t want an unpleasant diagnosis such as high blood pressure or a near-death experience such as a heart attack to get your attention. Therefore, self-care for business owners is too essential for you to neglect. This article offers simple suggestions on ways to make time for self-care easier to implement for business owners.
DISCOVER WHAT SELF CARE IS FOR YOU
Self-care looks different for everyone. For some, a pedicure, manicure, and a trip to your stylist is the perfect self-care remedy. Others may prefer reading a book and drinking their favorite beverage of choice. For others, staying in and cooking a meal at home is relaxing. It's essential to recognize what makes you feel good. Discover what activities really make you feel good.
EXACTLY HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU SPEND ON SELF-CARE?
The answer is different for everyone. As a suggestion, you can start out with as little as fifteen minutes per day. You can choose anything that isn't "work." Mediation is one simple, quick, but effective way to implement self-care. Meditation helps relax the mind and relieves stress. A short phone call to a friend or a short walk can help relax your mind as well.
FREE TIME DOESN’T MAGICALLY APPEAR-SCHEDULE IT!
Self-care is the first thing you neglect when your schedule gets too full. Resist the urge to skip your time for self-care only to go back to answering emails that are nagging at you in the back of your mind. Business owners must fit self-care into their schedule and treat it like any other appointment on their calendar. Take personal self-care breaks throughout the day. This could be a 15-minute coffee break, a walk around your building, meditating or reading a relaxing book before bedtime.