As a small business owner, it is so easy to feel busy, stressed, and overwhelmed. It’s practically a way of life! And while it’s often seen as a badge of honor to always be grinding towards your goals, you are actually much more productive and happy when when you’re not feeling that way on the daily.
So what can you do to alleviate those feelings of anxiety? Here are some practical tips on how to practice self care as a small business owner:
Getting a massage only takes an hour, but it can do wonders for your relaxation both on a physical and mental level. Your muscles probably need a break from sitting in front of your work station, and your brain could use a break from constant stimulation! Massage is a great stress reliever on its own, but the time away from work will help recharge your creativity and motivation.
I don’t know about you, but there’s something so special to me about getting off my computer, getting into some cute clothes, and going out on the town with my girlfriends and business besties. Grabbing coffee and catching up with your friends is good for your mental health!
Journaling is an incredibly powerful act of daily self care. Start (or end) each day by downloading everything in your brain onto the page – your emotions, your to-dos, your feelings, your thoughts…don’t edit yourself or try to make it “pretty.” Getting everything out of your mind creates room for you to focus on your tasks at hand. I also take the time to think about what I’m grateful for and give myself little pep talks for the day ahead!
We all know we “should” be exercising for our health, but it’s one of the best things we can do for our mental health as well. As a busy solopreneur, it’s tough to build time into each day to exercise, but it’s easier when I tell myself that it is good for my business and will help me be more productive (according to research!). Personally, I find that I get the most benefit from a nice walk outside, a yoga class, a slow jog on the treadmill, or some type of repetitive activity that allows my thoughts to roam free while my body is moving.
Taking care of yourself sometimes means letting go. If your workload is overwhelming and too much for you to handle, it may be time to outsource. Now this is a tough one for a lot of small business owners, because it’s hard to give up control (or resources) in your business, but it can be an important step for your business and personal growth. When thinking about what parts of your business to outsource, I recommend looking at 2 types of activities: those things you don’t like doing or aren’t good at and those things that you know you need to do but never get to.
For example, some people hate sending invoices and dealing with the accounting side of their business – outsource it! It’s ok! It will free you up mentally to live in your strengths. Others may have a problem with posting on social media because they don’t have the time to draft a caption or film a reel. Outsourcing these tasks to a part time assistant or social media manager can do wonders!
If you’re anything like me, a cluttered space usually means a cluttered mind. It can be very hard to focus when you feel like the world around you is in disarray. Taking a few minutes to clean and declutter your space can help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle anything – including that project you’ve been avoiding!
If you find yourself worn out and totally drained, sometimes you just need to completely unplug and be unproductive for a day. Binge watch a TV show or have a movie marathon. Go to Target and look through all the sections you usually speed through. Personally, one of my guilty pleasures is video games! Spending a few hours playing Zelda or Stardew Valley may be completely unproductive for my business, but completely needed as a human. Give yourself permission to indulge in your guilty pleasures every once in a while when you need to.
I hope some of these ideas can help you get into a regular pattern of self care so you can continue to stay productive in your business without those feelings of constant anxiety. Self care shouldn’t only be treated like a reward, it should be a regular part of how you operate.
What is your favorite form of self care? Let me know! I would love to hear about it in the comments!
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With over 15 years of experience, I've worked with countless small businesses just like yours. I can provide you with the tools and resources that will help make marketing less overwhelming.