Self-care is one of the big buzzwords right now. We see it all over Instagram and news sites, and maybe it’s something you strive to practice regularly but can’t quite seem to figure it out or you sit there questioning: is THIS self care? You might be thinking that magnetic face masks and long baths drawn with 47 essential oils and unicorn bath bombs aren’t your thing, so maybe this whole self-care business isn’t your thing, either.
I’m right there with you, pal. Those glorified, semi-boujee self-care trends that look great in a social post but don’t really do much for you on a practical level? I’m here to tell you it’s okay to kick them to the curb and find what works for you.
Hear me well: Self-care IS important. It’s carving out space in your chaotic schedule of creating a flourishing business in order to breathe and let your mind and body rest. We can’t be working machines all the time. In fact, you’ll actually be even MORE productive, more creative, and more resourceful if you allow yourself some time to chill a little.
Self-care gives the brain a mini-vacation and allows you to step back, reflect, and reorganize your thoughts and direction. Imagine if you prioritized just 5 or 10 minutes of that a day! How much more impact could you curate and lives could you change? Check out my 6 favorite (read: actually useful and not just ‘gram-worthy… *cough, golden eye masks, cough*) self-care tips for on-the-go entrepreneurs.
Take a midday walk.
Yep, self-care can be as simple as getting your booty off of your office chair, away from your computer, and outside for a 10-minute jaunt. Leash up the pup or call your mom, or simply go for a solo stroll and try to notice details around your neighborhood that you’ve never seen before. If you want to get real wild, leave your phone at home or put it on “Do Not Disturb.” I can promise you… The world will not end.
Take some deep breaths and simply enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Even a short walk will wake you up and give you a boost of energy, and your body will just feel better getting some movement amidst a heavy day of email answering, fire putting out, call receiving, and business dreaming.
Prep healthy meals and snacks at the start of the week.
Self-care isn’t always meditating for agonizing amounts of time or signing up for four yoga classes this week. Sometimes it’s as easy as setting up small ways to care for your self. (Mind-blowing?!) Do a little planning at the beginning of your week, and make a grocery run with a list of a few healthy snacks and meals you can easily prep ahead of time.
You’ll be able to focus less on what’s for dinner, and treat your body well when you need a snack and can grab some already-cut cucumbers and bell peppers to dip in hummus. So often, our days steamroll ahead of us and we find ourselves grabbing whatever’s available to eat (hey, if the Snickers is there, I’m goin’ for it) or completely forgetting to eat until we’re absolutely ravenous, making it way tougher to choose a wholesome meal. Set yourself up for success, friend, and get you some delish and nutrish foods planned for your week.
Unplug for 30 minutes.
I know, I know. This one gives me the shakes a bit just thinking about it. But when I became a mom, I started to gain such a greater understanding about the importance of time. And while I want to provide an example of hard work, discipline, and achieving incredible goals, I never want my daughter to think being connected to my phone or computer is the most important thing in my life.
Especially today, we’re all so consumed with digital everything. If can be tough to set the screens down for 5 minutes, let alone 30. But giving yourself a half hour (or more!) away from technology allows for more room for connection, conversation, and honestly just the release of stress. I know it sounds CRAZY. But just trust me and give it a try, and see if anything shifts at all.
Book yourself a massage or facial.
Piggybacking off of that last tip… One great way to unplug for a bit is by forcing yourself to ditch your phone and relax for an hour at a massage or facial. For real, though, a spa session is more than some luxury, fancy, vacation-only hoopla. It might feel selfish or over-the-top, and I get that.
But for you to run your business well and take care of others, you need to feel taken care of first. If you don’t have time to book an appointment, snag my favorite non-toxic skincare and carve a little time to give yourself an at-home skin treatment. Getting your muscles worked out or your pores cleaned out (or your nails painted or your hair highlighted) are ways for you to feel just plain ol’ GOOD. And what happens when you feel good? You achieve higher, focus better, and build more insanely awesome things.
Read for 10 minutes a day.
Y’all know I love me some education, but it’s not always easy to find the time to learn something new on a daily basis. Reading is such a simple way to find new perspective or get outside your world. Whether it’s Brene Brown’s newest book or a mystery-murder drama, get a book out and legitimately set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes.
I think so many of us avoid reading because we think we need to commit several hours a day to finish a book, or it seems like we will lose focus and not get to the hundred other things on our to-do scroll. But when you add reading to your self-care practice, you’ll feel encouraged to embrace a short chunk of time to learn something or get out of your own head for a few moments… Which is sort of the whole point of self-care, ya know?
Treat yourself to a solo-date.
Oh my gosh, doesn’t a glass of rosé on your patio with a podcast playing at sunset sound absolutely dreamy? Or a dinner seated at the bar of your favorite restaurant as you write a list of your biggest, most robust goals in your journal? We have so many responsibilities and deadlines and errands and crunch times going on that it’s rare that we take the time to treat ourselves.
Next time you go pick up your regular coffee, go inside and sit at a table for 20 minutes, rather than opting for the drive-through. Or stop by that new fro-yo place down the street that you’ve been wanting to try. Sometimes doing stuff for the simple joy of it is more important than tackling just one more thing.
So, where can you open a slot in your calendar to create more you time? Your wellness is the foundation of running a killer business, so start treating it like all your other non-negotiable priorities. Whether it’s an hour massage or a 5-minute walk around the block, you deserve time to take care of you. What do you think? Do you have any other self-care tips for entrepreneurs? I’d love to hear them!
