Self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for small business owners and entrepreneurs who face many challenges and stressors in their daily lives. However, many of them neglect their own wellbeing and focus on the hustle and grind of their work. This can lead to burnout, health issues, and reduced productivity and creativity.
The importance of self-care for small business owners
Self-care is the practice of taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. It can include activities such as getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, meditating, relaxing, and having fun. Self-care can help you cope with stress, boost your mood, enhance your performance, and prevent illness.
According to a survey by Kabbage, a financial technology company, 63% of small business owners report high levels of stress, and 25% say they rarely or never take time off. Moreover, 51% say they sacrifice their personal time for their business, and 35% say they sacrifice their family time.
These statistics show that many small business owners struggle to balance their work and personal lives, and often put their business before their own needs. However, this can have negative consequences for both their personal and professional lives.
The benefits of self-care for small business success
Making self-care part of your business plan can have many benefits for your small business success. Some of these benefits are:
- Improved productivity: Taking breaks, getting enough rest, and managing your energy can help you work more efficiently and effectively. You can avoid distractions, focus on your priorities, and accomplish more in less time.
- Enhanced creativity: Taking care of your mental health and engaging in activities that stimulate your brain can help you generate new ideas, solve problems, and innovate. You can also learn new skills, explore new opportunities, and expand your horizons.
- Increased resilience: Taking care of your emotional health and building a support network can help you cope with challenges, setbacks, and failures. You can also develop a positive mindset, embrace change, and overcome obstacles.
- Better relationships: Taking care of your social health and spending time with your loved ones can help you strengthen your bonds, communicate better, and receive feedback. You can also network with other professionals, collaborate with partners, and attract customers.
How to make self-care part of your business plan
Making self-care part of your business plan does not have to be complicated or expensive. You can start by incorporating some simple and cost-effective strategies into your daily routine. Here are some tips to help you make self-care part of your business plan:
- Set boundaries: Your space is not for everyone. Learn to say no to requests or demands that are not aligned with your goals or values. Delegate tasks that are not essential or enjoyable for you. Limit your exposure to negative or toxic people or situations.
- Do one little thing: Once, twice, or several times a day—however many times your schedule will allow—take time to do one thing that makes you happy. It can be anything from reading a book, listening to music, watching a show, playing a game, or having a snack.
- Break up your routine: Work and daily life can become monotonous especially when you’re working from home. Try to spice things up by changing your environment, schedule, or tasks. You can also try new things, experiment with different methods, or challenge yourself with new goals.
- Express gratitude: Being grateful for what you have can help you appreciate the positive aspects of your life and business. You can also acknowledge the people who support you and contribute to your success. You can express gratitude by writing a journal, sending a thank-you note, giving a compliment, or making a donation.
- Detox from digital devices: Technology can be a great tool for your business, but it can also be a source of stress and distraction. Try to limit your screen time and avoid checking your email or social media constantly. You can also turn off notifications, use airplane mode, or unplug completely for a while.
- Take care of your body: Your physical health is the foundation of your wellbeing. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and avoid substances that harm your body. You can also pamper yourself with a massage, a bath, or a beauty treatment.
A case study of self-care in action
Aisling Cunningham and Margaret O’Connor are the founders of Lula Eye Masks, an eCommerce brand that sells self-warming eye masks in Australia. They are also cancer survivors who learned the value of self-care during their treatment.
They started their business three years ago when they were both diagnosed with breast cancer within six weeks of each other. They decided to continue working on their brand while undergoing chemotherapy and surgeries. They used their own product to help them cope with the side effects and improve their sleep quality.
They also shared their personal journey with their customers and built a loyal community around their mission to help people prioritise rest and self-care. They received many positive messages and testimonials from their customers who found comfort and relief from their warming eye masks.
Their story shows that self-care is not only possible, but also beneficial for small business owners who face adversity and uncertainty. They proved that success does not have to come at the expense of wellbeing, but rather from a balanced approach that nourishes both personal and professional growth.
Self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to achieve success and happiness. By making self-care part of your business plan, you can improve your productivity, creativity, resilience, and relationships. You can also prevent burnout, health issues, and reduced performance. You can start by implementing some simple and cost-effective strategies into your daily routine, and learn from the inspiring example of Lula Eye Masks founders.
