Dealing with Stress and Life Balance as an Entrepreneur
The nature of being an entrepreneur is such that you will likely devote every free second or even your thinking time to dwell on your business. This is partly a testament to why so many successful entrepreneurs are as accomplished as they are.
However, this tends to not switch off from work does come with its problems. From the effects, this can have on your stress levels and mental health, to the impact this type of lifestyle can have on your loved ones, the life of an entrepreneur is far from easy.
Here we look at ways you can be sure to enjoy your life to the fullest, whilst still running a successful enterprise.
Why is work-life balance so important?
A business owner’s work-life balance is impactful on several levels. Not only can strike the right balance help enhance productivity and therefore the success of your business, but it can also improve your relationships with those around you, and benefit your overall mental health and physical well-being.
Improving productivity
Business personnel who are well-rested are less likely to face burnout. Working non-stop does not always necessarily make you more productive.
Humans need time to switch off and focus on other things to have the best impact on their working lives. Being able to have some downtime in the evenings or on a weekend is crucial to being able to perform at your best in the workplace. The Wellbeing Thesis also advises taking regular breaks when at work to improve concentration.
Reduction in health problems
Stress is a known cause of numerous health conditions and manifests itself in different ways for everybody.
According to the Health Line, stress can have numerous health implications. Conditions can consist of:
- headaches
- heartburn
- depression
- insomnia
- rapid breathing
- weakened immune system
- high blood pressure
- high blood sugar
- stomach aches
- fertility problems
- tense muscles
In the long run, keeping any entrepreneur’s work-life balance in check will help avoid time away from work due to serious ill-health. This is good for both business and you as an individual.
How to balance work and family life
Keeping your work and your personal life as separate as possible is a great way to help encourage success in both areas of your life. Here are some ways you might wish to consider keeping your spheres separate.
Take breaks
Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help improve your focus. Similarly, setting yourself several small, achievable tasks each day, or just one or two larger tasks, will make you feel more productive as you can easily meet these targets whilst giving yourself adequate thinking space between them.
As well as taking regular breaks during your working day, proper vacation periods where you spend time away from work and have absolutely nothing to do with it can also be beneficial. Use this time to reconnect with your loved ones and help build those bonds with the people that support you behind the scenes on a daily basis; it’s likely you haven’t realised how disconnected you’ve become from them when working all the time.
Keep your work and home life separate
If you work from a home office, it can be difficult to keep your work and home life separate. If this is the only place you can work from, however, being strict with yourself and having a schedule and routine can help. Make sure you stick to your office room during working hours and only use the other rooms in the house during breaks or after hours. This will help you switch off in the evenings and at weekends.
Alternatively, there could be times when renting an office space could be beneficial. Having a routine where you get away from the house can help give you adequate thinking space during your working day.
Meeting room rentals come fully equipped to make a convenient location to escape to. If you are holding interviews or meetings with clients or potential investors, professional boardrooms can also give your company a sense of gravitas that your home office might not be as likely to achieve.
Take time for yourself
Other popular ways to destress and help maintain a healthy work-life balance are the same for an entrepreneur as they are for anyone else.
You might be interested in taking up a hobby or a sport like fishing, running, horse riding, or simply getting out in the countryside for walks on a regular basis. Owning a pet like a cat or a dog can be another way to relieve stress, whilst other methods include meditation, taking cold showers, open water swimming or something relaxing like reading or listening to an album you like.
RELATED: 10 quick ways to destress
Being an entrepreneur and starting your own company is never going to be effortless. However, maintaining healthy relationships with the people around you is vital. Remember that providing for your family is likely why you got into this job in the first place.
Dealing with stresses and ensuring you keep a healthy work-life balance will mean that you not only stay healthy, but your business will similarly prosper and you will have more quality time with the people you love most.
