Healthy habits for entrepreneurs to adapt

As a business owner, you tend to look after your business like its your baby. After all it is your baby – you did conceive your business, nurtured it probably before it launched, then gave birth to it by sharing the news with the world, and then worked night and day to watch this business grow. 

1. Unplug yourself not just from technology, but from your work and your business. No matter how much you love your work, everyone needs a break.
2. Develop a routine for yourself. Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday. Have breakfast, lunch, and dinner at around the same time. A consistent routine creates less stress on the body.
3. Stay hydrated. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day everyday. If you need to, set reminders on your phone or carry around a stainless steel water bottle.
4. Exercise at least 3-4 times a week. Getting that heart rate up will not only help prevent weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease, but will also help improve circulation and productivity. If anything, go outside for a daily walk.
5. Always have breakfast! And be sure to add protein to your breakfast. Healthy sources of protein include eggs (with the yolk), full-fat yogurt, nuts, seeds, or lean meats.
6. Stretch throughout the day. Whether you are on your feet or at a desk all day, be sure to move around and stretch those muscle. The more active you are, the more productive you are. Take a yoga class or do some stretches at your desk.
7. Avoid caffeine. Caffeine may keep you awake and may at first give you energy, but it hinders your mental clarity. Drinking caffeine actually keeps you from sleeping well at night because your adrenal glands are working harder than they need to.
8. Breathe. Breathing allows for your brain to get oxygen so that you can have greater mental clarity. When you sit down at your desk, close your eyes for a few seconds and just sit back in your chair and take a few deep breaths. You will instantly notice that you are feeling calmer.
9. Have healthier snacks. Eat fruits, nuts and seeds. When you are under high amounts of stress, the first tendency is to reach for the refined carbohydrates, such as muffins and pastries. Therefore, keep a stash of fruits (even dried fruits will do) and along side that, have some nuts and seeds. Combining fruits and nuts/seeds will stabilise your energy levels for the day and will give your brain a natural boost.
10. Eat nutritionally balanced meals. Favour fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, lean meats, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar or contain artificial sweeteners. Avoid processed and packaged foods.

Comment below which ones you already do for your overall health and wellbeing. And think about the ones that you have yet to include. It can be overwhelming to do all of these in one go. So start small. Pick one, work on it, establish it, and then pick another to focus on. One change at a time is healthier than trying to do all in one go and feel overwhelmed.

With these tips, it’s important to keep in mind that the health of your business is only as good as your own health. When you take care of yourself, your business will thrive even more. When you are self-employed, you soon realise that there is no such thing as a sick paid day off. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Therefore, start by taking care of your health and managing your stress levels with the tips above and you will soon notice how much better you feel and how your business grows as a result.