Healthy Habits for Small Business Owners: Balancing Wellness and Work

Hey friends! Today I wanna chat with you about something that has been on my heart and mind recently: finding that sweet spot between running your small business and keeping your sanity intact. So grab a seat and let's dive into it!

Keeping the Balance: Self-Care and Entrepreneurship

Alright, let's kick things off with the hustle. I UNSUBSCRIBED from Hustle culture yearrrrrsssss ago! WHY? Because it’s unsustainable and only leads you down a rabbit hole of resentment, burnout, and frustration. However, I know it's part of being a small business owner, but here's the thing – burnout is real. You need to make time to pour into yourself. Self-care isn't just some trendy buzzword – it's essential. Whether it's taking a long, hot bubble bath, going for a leisurely walk, or simply chilling out with a good book, make sure to carve out some "me time" every single day. One thing I implemented years ago was scheduling breaks every few weeks so I always had something to look forward to. Doing this, it pushed me during those seasons of hustle because I knew that I had an amazing break or vacation to look forward to. Now you can schedule these “breaks” however you want to, but I would schedule them depending on the type of break you’re taking. Think about whether are you going on a week-long vacation. Are you taking a weekend off at home? Are you scheduling a few days off during the week? By planning your own schedule, you’re able to have clarity and control over the schedule in your business to. Trust me, you (and your business) will thank you for it!

Setting Boundaries: Navigating Work and Personal Life

Now, let's talk about boundaries. As entrepreneurs, it's easy to fall into the trap of working non-stop, but here's the truth – constantly running on this hamster wheel is only gonna make you miserable and be detrimental to your health. One of the BIGGEST mistakes I made in the beginning of starting my business was not saying no to things that didn’t serve me or the season I was in. I’m pleading with you to say no to things that don't align with your vision, set your work hours, and don't hesitate to take a mental health day when you need it. Running a business is extremely HARD, overwhelming, and lonely. Remember, your well-being comes first, always. Without you, there is no business!

Prioritizing Mental Health

This one hits close to home for me. I remember back when I was in the “busy” season of building my bakery, it was around Valentine’s Day and all my staff had gone home and I was still working til about 1 in the morning. It was about that time that I had a really terrible period, which in hindsight I believe was a miscarriage. But did I go to the doctor? NO. Because I could not pull myself away from my business. And I never really dealt with it. I never processed it. I never followed up or asked my doctor questions. Years later, I had to get a DNC because my health was all over the place-mentally and physically. I know firsthand how important it is to prioritize our mental well-being. Talk to someone, seek professional help if you need it, and never ignore what your mind (and body) is telling you. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, if not more.

Gratitude is everything!

In the hustle and bustle of running a business, it's easy to lose sight of the great things that are happening for you. Take a moment every day to think about the blessings you do have. When you’re running a business it’s easy to fall into a scarcity mindset. You may feel like, you’re not good enough to be successful, your competitors are growing faster than you, and negative feedback is really getting to you- BUT at the end of the day, you’re doing MORE than 80% of the population. So give yourself some freaken grace! I LOVE to journal and I’ve found that it helps me not only stay accountable, but it reminds me of all the amazing things I got to experience and do throughout the year. I personally use this one! (Psstt.. I’m biased cause I created it 😆) Do whatever works for you. I promise it will shift your entire mindset.

Lastly, I wanna leave you with this! Now that I coach and consult women in business, I often see them going through things like cramps, back pain, neck pain, you have a cold- even during the pandemic I would hear stories from these women who had Covid and could not pull away from their businesses. If this is you- please hear this… YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR HEALTH! You have no life if you don’t have your health. You can’t be your BEST self to your kids, to your partner, to your friends, and especially your business if you don’t have your health.

I’m not telling you to go spend hours in the gym, to fix your diet, to make a million doctor's appointments but I’m telling you that taking a moment to listen to your body and giving it what it needs is the single most IMPORTANT gift you can give yourself.

And if you wait too long- I fear that it may be too late for you and you can’t get it back. And at what cost??

Yeah, your business may be successful but what about your LIFE? What about your family? What about your relationship with your kids?

It’s just not worth it friend!

If this message resonates with you, I highly recommend you read the book, “Do Less” by Kate Northrup! This book is for women who are type A, who are high achievers (LIKE YOU!) and it encourages us to take a step back and DO LESS. It teaches us about our bodies, what we need to do during specific times of the month, and even different seasons of life.

This is your sign to go eat lunch if you’re hungry (for the love of God STOP eating cake scraps!). Go to the doctor if you aren’t feeling well. Take that much-needed spa day. Go read that book. And please make your health a priority.

Let’s pinky promise🤞💕 to not only chase our dreams and build badass businesses... But, to ALSO cherish and listen to our bodies.