Just relax.
If you ask me, the number one thing standing in the way of entrepreneurs maintaining a work-life balance is they don’t realize the importance of taking care of themselves.
Self-care is defined as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress, according to the Oxford Dictionary.
For many business owners, their work is their life, and self-care is the last thing they have time for. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found most small business owners work up to 50 hours a week. That’s at least 16 hours more than the national average.
What many entrepreneurs don’t realize is that a work-life balance will create the life they want.
“To win at being the productivity powerhouse you want to be, you must learn to release some of your responsibility, reclaim some freedom, and bring true rest and relaxation into your life,” author Annie Mueller said in her great article, “Learning to Relax When You’re a Driven Person.”
Relaxation gives us a break from our lives, a time to clear our minds and relieve stress.
According to Mayo Clinic, learning to relax has many benefits, including slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, reducing the activity of stress hormones, reducing muscle tension and chronic pain, improving concentration and mood-boosting confidence to handle problems.
Relaxation is having enough time outside your daily work to find the center and find joy, young entrepreneur David Bladow once was quoted to say. “It’s addition by subtraction. If you can find that time to relax, you will be more effective with the time you devote to work.”
With all the things an entrepreneur must juggle, it may seem there’s no time for self-care. But just like anything else in business, self-care may need to be scheduled.
Make exercising, eating well, spending time with friends and family and getting plenty of sleep daily and weekly priorities to avoid burning out.
“Burnout occurs when your body and mind can no longer keep up with the tasks you demand of them,” said Del Suggs in his book, “Truly Leading: Lessons in Leadership.” “Don’t try to force yourself to do the impossible. Delegate time for important tasks, but always be sure to leave time for relaxation and reflection.”
How do you maintain a work-life balance? Is it time for you to make a change?
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