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Guest article written by Brad Krause
Implementing Self-Care Into Your Business Routine
The idea of self-care often feels like a luxury, but it isn’t. According to an Indiana University study, the cognitive ability to cope with workload and job demands correlates strongly to mental health and mortality. In other words, if your work duties negatively affect your well-being, you can’t perform at your peak without some balance.
It’s no secret that entrepreneurs put in a lot of hours. A Gallup poll reports that 57% of small-business owners work more than five days a week. Many business owners are fully engaged with their work and wouldn’t have it any other way. However, with the downtime you do have, it’s vital to take care of yourself. Read on for some tips from A Live-Leigh Journey.
Pursue a Passion
Self-care is about pursuing something that improves your life — mind, body, and soul. When you pursue a passion, you may discover that you feel more motivated to accomplish other things in your life. Of course, that passion can be anything, from writing a novel to publish to learning, studying, and practicing yoga. It can also be fashion, which some have labeled a top self-care focus for 2021.
If your passion is on the artistic side, consider learning calligraphy or acting in a community play. Whatever your interests, embrace a passion that you can enjoy frequently, one that gives your mind a chance to focus on something unrelated to business.
Exercise Regularly
Most people understand the value of exercise. Regular physical activity reduces the chance of diabetes, heart attack, and stroke and sharpens mental ability. A study at the University of British Columbia showed that cardiovascular exercise enlarges the brain’s hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in learning and verbal memory.
Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective. Current guidelines recommend moderate-intensity cardio exercise for 150 minutes per week in addition to strength training twice per week. Whether you join a gym or work out at home, consistent exercise can benefit your ability to perform at work.
Use Relaxation Methods
Relaxation can help you deal with stress and anxiety. It eases your mind, which, in turn, relaxes your body. When you’re feeling pressure on the job, relaxation can help you with creativity and decision-making.
You can implement relaxation techniques in the middle of your workday. Go for a short walk outside, listen to calming music, write in a journal for 15 minutes, or perform mindful meditation. Once you’re away from the office, you can take a warm bath, spend time with a pet, or get a massage. Of course, you’ll want to identify any potential stressors in your home and be intentional about replacing bad vibes with good ones. This sets the stage for a positive living environment that makes relaxing much easier.
Evaluate Business Processes
The chances are that you can streamline or outsource some of the tasks you perform regularly. Begin by documenting some of your processes, then analyze how you can complete them more efficiently. If you spend a lot of time on accounting, for example, you might consider hiring an accountant to handle your bookkeeping. The expense may pay off in the long run by saving time.
You can also consider forming a limited liability company. LLC formation can relieve you of stress through tax advantages, reduced paperwork, limiting your personal liability, and increasing your flexibility. To avoid burdensome lawyer fees, consider filing for an LLC yourself. You can also use a formation service that will complete every step of the process.
No matter how large your workload seems, self-care should rank high on your to-do list. Caring for yourself ensures you can perform at your peak—and so can your business.
Image via Unsplash
“Brad created Self Caring to share his own knowledge and the many great resources he has found on his self-care journey.”
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