10 Self-Care Habits of Thriving Entrepreneurs

10 Self-Care Habits of Thriving Entrepreneurs

Female entrepreneurs deserve a medal. Not only are you busting your butt to run a successful business, but you are also managing the daily demanding responsibilities of a household, kids probably, and, sometimes, even another job. Talk about exhausting! More often than not, self-care gets pushed to the bottom of your to-do list for the sake of the bottom line. Don’t fall into this trap! If you’re going to have a healthy business, you need a healthy person running it (that’s you.)

You love being an entrepreneur- that’s why you dedicate so much of your life to it- but who tends to your needs while you are busy conquering the business world? If you’re having trouble answering that question then you are in the right place. These ten self-care habits will empower you to be the best version of yourself so you can rock that boss babe life.

1) Set Boundaries

As a lady boss, your time is valuable! This is especially true if you are also a mother on top of running your own business.

Learning how to set boundaries and say no is a powerful skill that has amazing benefits.

Learn to say no to anything that takes you away from your goal because it is a waste of your precious time and energy.

Say no to checking or answering emails outside of work hours.

Say no to projects that don’t absolutely excite you.

Say no to interruptions that pop into your day while you are working.

Self-care is about filling your own tank. Once you let go of your desire to be anything and everything to everybody and learn to say no, you will be amazed at the difference it makes in your business and personal life.

2) Give yourself permission to lower expectation

If your perfectionist brain just cringed a little, please don’t stop reading. It is so easy to feel like a failure when you’re constantly seeing other entrepreneurs’ successes all around you. You see a fellow entrepreneur have a hugely successful launch on Instagram or see another girl boss make six figures with her business and all of a sudden you are doubting your own abilities.

Stop doubting yourself! You don’t have to do and be all the things all the time. Perfection is a myth. All you can do is the best you can do and that will look different for everyone. Give yourself permission to be ok with not being perfect.

3) Pamper yourself

You work hard, you push yourself to learn new things that will grow your business, you are a kind person. Girl, you deserve to treat yourself! Pamper yourself, and do it often.

Treat yourself to a Mani/Pedi.

Buy that new sexy dress you’ve had your eye on.

Spend a day reading that new book you haven’t had time to read yet.

Take a nap.

Nothing is off-limits when it comes to self-care. Whatever will recharge and rejuvenate your body and mind is fair game. You deserve it!

4) Plan a monthly coffee date with a friends

First of all, coffee makes everything better. Second of all, you need a break from the hustle and bustle of running your own business with someone who knows you well. Schedule a work-free date with a friend at least once a month. Having it on your calendar will give you something to look forward to and unwinding with a friend will leave you replenished and ready to tackle whatever comes next.

5) Exercise

Exercise has obvious benefits to your physical health, but did you know it’s just as good for your mental health? Being a female entrepreneur in this world can push you to your limits. Instead of drinking another cup of coffee to give you a boost, try going for a walk around the block or do a quick yoga workout in your living room. The movement will give your body the jolt it needs to make it through the day. Even better, this form of self-care will also help you concentrate and keep you mentally sharp.

6) Positive Self-Talk

This habit is simple, yet so hard for so many people. Our first instinct is to be hard on ourselves but that can be so damaging to our mental health. Show yourself kindness and practice positive self-talk.

Start by saying things to encourage yourself in your future goals. For example, “I can build my business,” or “I can reach that goal.” Showing compassion to yourself by saying things like “you did your best” or “you’ll do better next time” will improve your mental health and happiness.

7) Get Yourself Organized

Keeping up with everything that needs to be done as an entrepreneur can make you feel like a circus act. You’re juggling so many balls in the air at the same time you’re afraid of what will happen if you drop one.

Instead of haphazardly throwing balls in the air hoping you don’t drop one, try putting them down in a nice straight row. Getting organized will reduce stress, increase productivity, and lower the likelihood that you will burn out.

Not sure where to start? Using a planner or even a journal to write down what you need is a solid start. If digital is more your speed, there are tons of apps out there that can help you keep everything organized.

8) Declutter

You might be wondering how decluttering your physical space is considered self-care. The physical space around you makes a difference. If there is clutter in your workspace then your brain has to actively work to ignore it. This distracts your brain from working on the task at hand (your business) and can unknowingly increase your stress and anxiety. Clearing out the clutter in your workspace will not only make your space look better, but will also clear your mind so it can work better.

9) Prioritize Sleep

Here’s an interesting fact for you: sleep deprivation has been used as a torture technique, and severe sleep deprivation can even cause death (yikes!)

Lack of sleep is often worn as a badge of honor in the business world, but honestly, it’s only harmful. When you’re sleep deprived your brain function decreases, you have memory problems, and your mood gets worse. Not exactly what you want when you’re trying to boost your business, huh?

Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep each night for adults to operate optimally. A few ways to encourage better sleep include turning off screens thirty minutes before bedtime, having a consistent sleep/wake schedule, and doing less mentally stimulating activities (i.e. reading or watching tv) right before bed. So, quit torturing yourself and get some sleep!

10) Have some fun!

While working hard is important, prioritizing fun is just as crucial to the success of your business and your life. Having fun keeps you feeling young, joyful, and content. When you’re happy in one area of your life, it spills over into other areas as well.

The bottom line is, your self-care is just as important as your next launch or email campaign. Running a thriving business is about finding a balance between work and play without sacrificing your mental or physical health. Becoming a confident and strong boss babe won't happen overnight, but with a little time and practice, you can have a fulfilling and rewarding life.