We all became entrepreneurs for one reason: to take control of our financial situation. But, as natural go-getters, we can often go a little bit too far when it comes to putting business first. If you find yourself burnt out and winding down, it’s time to really learn how to prioritize yourself. Today, the Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce shares a quick post on ways to practice self-care and why it’s so important.

Benefits Of Self-Care

There are plenty of reasons that you should prioritize yourself above your business, at least sometimes. Self-care can reduce stress and elevate your creativity levels. The Boss Project blog also explains that the things you do to care for yourself can help you start each day off on a positive note. If for no other reason, you should take steps to mitigate physical and emotional strain because stress can take a toll on your mental health.

How To Care For The Boss

When you work for someone else, you probably spend a lot of time trying to keep them happy. Well, not anymore. You are the boss, and it’s time to put yourself on a pedestal. Here are a few tips:

• Keep the peace at home. Even if you don’t work from home, you may be surprised at the amount of stress you carry from your home address to your work desk. If you’ve been busy and neglecting your family, plan to turn your home into a space that you can all enjoy together. Declutter, open the windows, and keep things clean, and you’ll all have a more positive attitude at home, at work, and at school. And fill your kitchen with healthy snacks to fuel up everyone’s bodies for great things.

• Change the way you look at food. We all have to eat to survive, but not all of us have a healthy relationship with what we put on our plates. If you find that you eat your emotions, avoid certain foods like the plague, or feel guilty during the occasional indulgence, it might be time to reframe the way you look at food.

• Increase your time management skills. It is easy to feel overwhelmed as a new business owner. There’s so much to do and only one of you can do it. Calm your mind by breaking tasks into realistic steps that you can accomplish one at a time. Prioritize your tasks so that you address the most urgent things first, and be open to revising your plans as things change.

• Reduce stress by reducing liability. Anytime you deal with the public, your business is going to be at risk of stepping on somebody’s toes. Unfortunately, as an entrepreneur, any type of negative (or perceived negative) action can result in litigation. This can put your personal assets at risk as can defaulting on loans or having other serious business issues. You can take much of the strain off of your mind by forming an LLC, which offers a cushion of protection should something happen with your business.

• Work out. Exercise is another excellent way to reduce stress and care for your mind and body. But, if you’ve never been big on the gym, you’ll want to start slow and make sure that you have gear you need to work out safely and comfortably. Start with a good pair of leggings or compression pants, and don’t forget well-fitting sneakers and a sports bra or other garment that supports parts you don’t want moving around.

You’ve already overcome the hurdle of stepping out of your comfort zone and into entrepreneurial shoes. But, that doesn’t mean that you have to stay in business mode 100% of the time. Remember to take care of yourself, and you can take care of business better no matter where your business may be. This doesn’t mean you have to take long vacations or overindulge on massages and pedicures, but you should do things that make yourself feel good. You may just find that the better you feel the better your business operates.

If you’re in the Bear Lake area, connect with the Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce. We value our local businesses and want to support them. Visit our website to see how we can help you promote your local business in our community.

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