Sabrina is the founder of Complex Creative, the No Bullsh*t Agency, a London creative agency specializing in low-carbon WordPress websites.
As an entrepreneur, you are clearly passionate about business and want to do whatever it takes to succeed. However, your personal well-being is just as important, for without that, your business has no hope.
I know how easy it is to get sucked into the highs and lows of business and forget about your own self-care. This is why I’ve curated my top self-care tips; these tips have helped me reduce stress, improve productivity and become an all-around, happier entrepreneur.
1. Prioritize sleep.
I would say that this is the most underestimated self-care tip in the world. (Yes, I am using that hyperbole and sticking to it.) I used to pull all-nighters all the time, thinking I was being so productive and getting so much done.
What I didn’t realize is that with less sleep, I was much slower at everything. My cognitive functions seriously decreased, including my decision making, my attention and my judgment. I also didn’t realize how my creativity was suffering. So, while I was “getting work done,” it was definitely sub-par.
And then there were the long-term effects. I would be so emotionally exhausted and completely burned out. Then, I would need to take extra time off to recover; it was certainly not worth it.
I don’t think you necessarily need a full eight hours of sleep every day, but make sure you’re getting sufficient rest each night. Listen to your body to see how much rest you need; it can genuinely make a massive difference to your body and your mind.
2. Adopt an appropriate diet.
Notice I say appropriate here, for not everyone is the same. Each body requires different nutrients, and you need to understand your body to know what’s right for you. However, there is some advice that I believe can be applied to everyone.
First, ensuring that you have a balanced diet with nutritious meals can help give you sustained energy and clarity. Like with sleep, entrepreneurs are notorious for skipping meals because they’re “too busy,” but I’ve found that this can lead to more problems in the future.
Also, make sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. I used to set a reminder on my phone, and every 25 minutes, I would take a swig of water. You can conveniently coincide these types of reminders with your Pomodoro schedule if you keep one.
3. Stay active.
Exercise is not only beneficial to your physical well-being, but it’s also amazing for optimizing your mental health. Studies show, and I have experienced, how exercise releases endorphins—those natural mood boosters that can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
I’m not saying you need to do a full HIIT workout every day, but even going for a walk can help you invigorate your mind and spark creativity. This can also fit with the focusing effects of your Pomodoro schedule.
If you can find an active hobby that you enjoy, whether it’s jogging, yoga or dancing, it can do wonders for your wellbeing and affect how you show you at work.
4. Set boundaries.
As an entrepreneur, it feels like everything we do is related to work. Plus, you often feel obliged to answer an email as soon as it comes in or even feel guilty when you’re watching Netflix instead of being productive.
This is exactly what leads to burnout. I recommend that you set boundaries and communicate these with your team and your clients—setting realistic expectations for your availability. By communicating this with others, you won’t get interrupted during the quality time you’re spending with your loved ones.
5. Take time off.
Going one step further than just clocking off at certain times, I’ve found that as a leader, you need to learn to fully take a break. This means absolutely no work during this time. Not checking emails while on the beach or taking Zoom calls from a ski resort. The time away should allow you to gain a bit of clarity and come back to things with a clearer head and vision.
Related, I’ve found that embracing a regular digital detox can wonders for your mental health. I now have at least three hours of the day where I do not look at a single device. Then, every month, I have a whole day of this, and it’s incredible what I have achieved during these times. I am certain you’ll see clear improvements in focus and a reduction in stress after you take these moments to detox.
6. Celebrate successes.
The life of an entrepreneur is one big rollercoaster, and the troughs can be seriously low. So, it’s so important to celebrate the successes that you get, no matter how small they are.
This fuels motivation and boosts self-confidence, making it easier to deal with the difficult times that will inevitably come. Sometimes, I like to save reminders about my successes so that when I do have a tough time, I can look back at them and remember what I have indeed achieved.
7. Reflect and adjust.
One of the most powerful things you can do to improve yourself is to learn the power of self-assessment. I recommend regularly setting aside time to reflect on your goals, accomplishments and challenges for your personal and professional growth.
It’s a great way to notice trends in your successes, allowing you to identify areas of opportunity as well as areas of improvement. Also, it allows you to discover things you may not have realized about yourself that can help you achieve your goals.
In Conclusion
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategic necessity. By implementing these self-care tips into your routine, you’re not just taking care of yourself but enhancing your capacity to lead, innovate and achieve remarkable success.
Remember, a thriving entrepreneur is one who prioritizes both business excellence and personal well-being.
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