Maintaining a healthy work-life balance as an entrepreneur is tough. The majority of entrepreneurs work long, stressful hours. It’s no surprise that 72% of entrepreneurs suffer from mental health issues at some point.
The lack of work-life balance has been dismissed as ‘part with the territory’ of a new venture. However, the fact is that entrepreneurs need a healthy balance or they are at risk of developing serious issues, and potentially even burnout.
Here are five ways entrepreneurs can achieve a healthy work-life balance.
1.Take a Break!
For entrepreneurs, there is always something more to do. Entrepreneurs are well-known for not taking breaks and burning the midnight oil. This is fine to do this on occasion, but if you make a habit out of it, you are only damaging yourself.
Limit your hours. Many entrepreneurs find it easier to stick to a classic 8-5 schedule. Time how long you spend working and see where you can reduce these hours.
Additionally, try to stick to only a five-day workweek.
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet:
If there is anything entrepreneurs lack, it is time. That often means choosing fast food over cooking healthy meals. Multiple studies have shown a link between a bad diet and low mood. Obviously, a bad diet also leads to poor physical health, which can prove to be a major problem later in life.
According to Dr. Ryan Shelton Zenith Labs, “Poor nutrition can reduce performance in every aspect of life. This is a particular problem among entrepreneurs, who are often forced by their lifestyles to cut corners in their diets.”
Cooking in bulk over the weekend and freezing meals is an easy way to avoid the hassle of daily cooking, while still crafting a healthy diet.
Read more: cooking healthy meals.
3. Learn to Delegate:
The art of delegation is an essential business skill. Perhaps the greatest downfall of entrepreneurs is failing to delegate. Entrepreneurs are notorious for trying to handle everything themselves.
Be willing to trust in those closest to you and place some of the work on the shoulders of your team. Focusing on what you excel at can pay dividends for your business, and your health.
4.Take Up Exercise:
Exercise is key to controlling not only your physical health but your mental health. Adequate stress relief is vital to the success of any prosperous business owner. The Mayo Clinic makes it clear that exercise reduces stress.
You do not need to spend long periods exercising. A few minutes of walking, squats, or push-ups throughout the day can really add up.
5. Schedule Vacations into Your Year:
Do you find it difficult to completely disengage from your work and go on vacation?
Schedule your vacations at the start of the year. Make a booking to get out of town so you will not be able to change your mind without losing money.
Your business is not going to live or die based on the two weeks you spend outside the office. As Dr. Ryan Shelton put it, “it’s all about finding calm in the chaos”.
Conclusion:
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is difficult because it is simply not an active part of the traditional American work culture.
By building in time to eat right, exercise, and take breaks, you become a better business owner. Reducing the risk of burnout and refreshing your mind will do wonders for your business.
What are you doing to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
