Entrepreneurs operate at a mile a minute and often move self-care to the back burner. This can result in burnout that is detrimental not only to your mental, physical, and emotional health but to the success of your business. Putting a few self-care practices in place can help ensure both you and your company are in tiptop form. If you need a little nudge, Cindi Fortmann Photography can help put you on the road to success.

 

Launching Your Business

One of the first key steps for a new business start-up is the creation of a comprehensive business plan. This will help you identify key operational functions of your business and ensure that you are financially healthy and able to cover all of your company’s needs. A business plan is the first step in finding funding, whether that's a small business loan or a grant. Grants can help a small business stay on a financial track, but finding the right one can be a bit of a challenge. You’ll want to seek out grants that are earmarked for your industry. You should also consider hiring a professional photographer to help you with branding.

It’s also important that you start your business in the right location. If you’re working from home, you’ll need adequate space for a home office. If your current location doesn’t suit your needs, there are plenty of other options out there, including over 1,600 available just in the Atlanta area.

 

Nourish Yourself Well

It's easy for entrepreneurs to run on sugar and caffeine, but that is not a long-term health strategy, and can actually deplete you of energy and make you feel physically poor. Consider meal prep to ensure you're preparing healthy and nutritious meals. According to Canada’s Meal Planning Guide, focus on whole grains, fresh produce, lean meats and dairy, and plenty of water. You’ll want to avoid too much caffeine, alcohol, or energy drinks. Instead, keep healthy snacks in your office, in your car, and in your workplace refrigerator to ensure you have something nutritious to turn to instead of grabbing fast food when you’re on the go.

 

Stay Physically Active

You could very well feel exhausted just from all of the operational elements of your startup that need to be handled, but you still need to dedicate time to regular physical activity. Whether this means putting a treadmill in your office, following a home workout program each day, or even setting a timer on your phone or smartwatch that reminds you to get up and take a quick walk every hour. If you need more structure, join a gym, sign up for a regular yoga class, or engage in something physical that you enjoy, like playing intramural sports, kayaking, or boxing. Having access to a trainer or a workout accountability buddy can help you stay focused.

 

Ask for Help

Entrepreneurs typically operate on a tight budget, but it can be well worth the investment to hire out for some services that will free up more time for you to focus on self-care and business cultivation. On the work front, this might mean hiring specialty professionals in a consulting capacity, like a web designer, a social media manager, a marketing guru, or an accountant. On the homefront, you may find it worthwhile to hire a housekeeper, landscaper, dog walker, or a grocery delivery service that allows you more time to focus on your business startup and operational needs.

 

Fight the Blues

Remember that unchecked stress and anxiety can lead to depression, so monitoring your mental health is essential during a business launch. This is especially important during the winter months when a lack of sunlight can lead to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, another way of describing the winter blues. Consider using a light machine to ensure you get enough “sunlight” and if you find yourself becoming increasingly down, reach out to your primary care provider. Sometimes medication or therapy can help you navigate particularly stressful times.

Even when you’re laser-focused on your business, keep in mind, you are your business, and as such, you've got to ensure you're taking out time for relaxation, self-care, stress management, and that you're utilizing outside services as necessary to help lighten the load. Don’t look at self-care as a selfish measure, but as a savvy business move.