Top Tips On Taking Care Of Yourself As An Entrepreneur by Cheryl Conklin

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There are more than 3.5 million business owners throughout Canada. This means approximately 13% of the country’s entire population is involved in entrepreneurship, and they are connected to all of the pros and cons that come with it, stress included. Since the dawn of the pandemic, Canada, along with the US, has reported some of the highest anxiety levels in the world. If you are an entrepreneur that wants to continue being successful, you’re going to have to start by putting your energy where it’s most important: into yourself.
 
Today’s blog is just one of many informational resources brought to you by the blog at Wholeness Fitness.
 
Reduce Stress At Work
 
Workplace stress can leave you with lingering negative feelings long after you’ve locked the front door. A few ways to lessen your daily distress include:

• Attain funding. Money worries are part of running a business, but there are ways to get yourself back on track. There are many grants available to Canadian business owners, but you’ll need to have a business plan and know what, exactly, is available in your area or industry. Before you file a grant application for CanExport, Tourism Relief Fund, the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit, or another program, take the time to fully understand the requirements and then write an impressive plea.

 

• Reduce products and services. Having too many products and services not only gives you additional stress, but it can also reduce the quality of your operation overall. Take some time to evaluate what you’re keeping on your menu, and then cut those that earn the least money.

 
 
Focus On Your Physical Health
 
Your self-care efforts must extend to ways to keep your physical health in top shape. A few ideas are:

• Start a fitness program. Cardio kickboxing, dance cardio and Zumba are all great ways to get in shape. And, if you take a class, you have an opportunity to meet like-minded people.

 

• Eat healthy foods at each meal. As an entrepreneur, you are understandably busy. However, you have to make time to prepare healthy foods, which should include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and make sure that you have snacks in between to keep you going and avoid a mid-morning or afternoon slump.

 
Don’t Stay Stuck To The Timeclock
 
Taking care of yourself at home and work is great, but it’s also crucial that you step away from both from time to time.

• Plan a vacation at least once a year. Working uninterrupted for 52 weeks each year is a great way to lead yourself straight down the path toward burnout. Plan to use at least one or two weeks each year dedicated to vacation. Ideally, you’ll take a full week, but even a long weekend will have positive effects, according to McMaster University.

 

• Outsource some tasks. If you don’t currently have an employee nor the budget to hire one, look for a freelancer that can take certain specific tasks off of your plate. A virtual assistant, for example, can take phone calls and answer emails. This will free up some of your time so that you can leave work on time. It’s cheaper than a traditional staff since you only pay for the hours you need them to work.

 
As you can see, self-care doesn’t have to mean personal indulgences. Sometimes, the practical things we do each day, like eating well and making sure our businesses have enough money to operate, are enough to keep us whole and happy. When you run a business, your health is something that you cannot take for granted, so put as much importance on yourself as you do your company, and you will see both thrive.

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