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Many more people than me have emphasized the benefits of achieving a work-life harmony, highlighting the psychological, social, and physical aspects. For a busy entrepreneur, taking time off to go to the gym at least three times per week or practice meditation may seem impossible.
You find out what works. You may find that weekly Pilates classes are more effective than a daily 5am wakeup call and cardio exercise. Maybe you are better off spending time with your friends rather than doing a meditation session.
These are some tips to help you improve your business routine and strike a balance with rest.
Related: Can you balance a career and personal wellness? 26 entrepreneurs share their own tips
Breaks are important to plan throughout the day
Our sedentary lives have multiple risks and consequences for our health. Regular exercise should be the aim, but taking short breaks to stretch and stand will reduce these risks.
For every hour you spend at your desk, health professionals suggest taking 5-10 minute breaks. Standing up, walking around, changing positions, etc. Stretching your back, neck and hips, as well as your hands, can also be beneficial.
Eye strain is another common problem that we computer warriors face. Use the 20-20-20 rule to reduce stress on your eyes. Blue light filters can reduce eye strain and improve your mental health. They also support healthy sleeping patterns.
This small but powerful improvement will help you to make the most out of the short breaks that occur throughout the day. It can improve your mental and physical health, and prevent future issues with your posture, muscles, and eyes.
Don’t cheat your out-of-office days
Are you 100% committed? “unplug” When you go on vacation, what do you do? It’s crucial to take a mental break (and your laptop too) when you are out of the office. This means not checking Slack, not responding to emails or answering panicked calls from clients (unless it’s absolutely necessary).
Do I sign off on my vacations? I’m guilty of this. As I’ve come to appreciate the value of family time (for me and them), I can see how this could be. “off the radar” Approach is essential. Even though I have the full support of my staff, it is still a great privilege to be able to take a break, even for just a few hours.
Do not cheat yourself of your time off. Keep yourself responsible for taking an actual vacation. Turn off notifications, and postpone business until another day. You’ll find that everything will work out when you get back.
Related: How to have a work-free vacation (Infographic).
Learn to recognize your own language. “must haves” The torso is a good example of this. “nice to haves”
Entrepreneurs are usually creative people. We are. “big ideas” People of the World. We are prone to be distracted by shiny objects, which can divert our attention from the most important goals and priorities.
What are the results of following these? “nice to have” Ideas is burnout, loss of investments and overwhelm. We lose focus when we try to implement new ideas with no clear intention. This leaves us less time for rest and planning.
This is something I’m particularly guilty of, which is why my book has been written. “no” He is my COO. He helps me to establish my business by keeping my ideas under control. “must haves” versus my “nice to haves.” This not only helps me keep my business on track but also allows me to spend time productively on important tasks, while still allowing time for relaxation.
You can find the right activities to feed your body.
Some guides about how to achieve a balance between work and life simply do not resonate with me. As an example, I don’t enjoy morning meditation, cold plunges, or yoga. Time with my family is what I value most. Traveling, eating out and meeting new people are all things I enjoy.
Find out what you enjoy doing. You might find that morning walks with your pet, playing pickleball, or meeting up with friends at Happy Hour are what you need. Make time to do the things that will best promote your emotional, physical and social health.
The traditional advice will have you believing that your schedule should be structured in a specific way, e.g. early morning wake-ups, exercise routines, time blocking etc. Everyone operates differently. Structure your day so that you can feel productive and yet refreshed, then schedule the time you need for things that nourish your soul.
Related: I am very busy — yet I still have lots of free time. These are the 10 hacks that I use to actually enjoy my life
Early signs of burnout can be recognized
Burnout can sneak up on you like a night thief. You may be feeling great one day, and then the next you are a couch-potato with no willpower to get to the refrigerator for a drink. It is important to avoid this situation, and to do so you need to be able to recognize the early signs of burnout.
Burnout can manifest differently for each person, but it is usually characterized by constant fatigue, a lack of motivation, an increased level of irritability and overwhelm, a withdrawal from social interaction, and unexplained health problems. If you are feeling overwhelmed, tired or irritable then it is likely that burnout has set in. “weird” Burnout can be a real problem, even if you don’t know why.
You can mitigate damage if you recognize these warning signs in advance. It may be necessary to reduce your workload, take more breaks, talk to a close friend, or even book a holiday. Burnout can have serious mental and physical consequences.
