The work of a business owner never ends. There are always products to launch, marketing strategies to test, grants to apply to, operations to optimize, team members to support, and projects to finish. With your plate always full, you may be tempted to spend every waking hour working to propel your business forward.

But it’s equally important to practice self-care. People aren’t machines: pushing yourself to work nonstop will lead to burnout, which can make everything you worked so hard to build start to backslide or fall apart.

Here are five tips for practicing self-care even with the 24/7 responsibility of being a business owner.

Make Time for Yourself

It’s easy to fill every open space on the calendar with meetings, events, or to-dos. Schedule time for breaks, and honor them as seriously as you would honor any other appointment.

Commit to Doing One Thing Every Day that Makes You Happy

Whether that “thing” is jogging, listening to music, curling up with a book, or making a sundae with every topping you have onhand, spending even 10 minutes doing something you love can replenish your energy and make it easier to tackle the rest of your day.

Remember That Self-Care Makes You Better at Your Work.

We business owners tend to view time spent at play or at rest as unproductive, but the opposite is true. You expose yourself to new ideas, new stories, and other information that can spark an “aha” moment in other areas of your life. Ironically, the things you do on breaks can sow the seeds of inspiration that lead to a breakthrough for a business challenge you’re currently facing.

When you keep in mind that spending time at play can actually make your business better, it becomes easier to prioritize and recognize it as a valuable use of your time.

Say “Yes” to Self-Care by Saying “No” to Other Things

Business owners often want to say “yes” to every opportunity that comes their way: new clients, speaking engagements, conferences, pitch competitions, and so on. But before you say “yes” to something new, it’s important to take an honest look at your workload. If the thought of taking on more is stressful or triggers nervousness, it’s probably a sign that you should not add more to your plate.

Just because you can take on a new opportunity doesn’t mean you should. Saying “No” to projects that would burn you out is really saying “Yes” to work-life balance, good mental and physical health, and keeping yourself at your best so you can take your business to the top.

Talk to Others

Let a friend or family member know you need to vent or just need some encouraging words. Remember that you’re not alone, even though it may feel like it some days.

Want to Plug into a Community of Business Owners Who Can Support You?

EnrichHER is here to support you on your journey. We provide a community of founders from various industries who understand the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship. This diverse community can offer advice, emotional support, and connections to help you take your business to the next level– and it’s only a click away.

Sound like the right community for you? Join EnrichHER’s Founder LinkedIn Group here.

About EnrichHER:

EnrichHER is a financial technology platform that matches revenue-generating companies led by women and founders of color to individual and institutional sources of funding. Since 2017, EnrichHER has deployed upwards of $4 million through its platform and matched business-owners to $13 million in working capital through its Accelerator. By providing capital, coaching, and connections, we are fueling the fastest-growing demographic of business owners. Our network has engaged with over 23,000 advocates through its digital community and in-person activations.

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