A full-time job, and personal responsibilities, and a side hustle — oh my! With so much to do, and so little time to do it, you may feel as though you have no way to fit self-care into your day.
However, if you’re planning on launching a brand-new side hustle, having a solid plan for self- care is essential. Why? When you don’t take care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs on a regular basis, you put yourself at a significantly increased risk of burnout. Once you’ve reached this point, doing even the simplest of tasks can seem like a monumental undertaking.
To prevent the risk of developing burnout, the team at Baby Foot invites you to explore four expert strategies for balancing your workload and your self-care routine.
Don’t overbook yourself by learning how to say “no”
From an early age, many of us are conditioned to think that the word “no” is rude or unkind. While this might be true for a screaming and uncooperative toddler, it is definitely not true for adults. Those who have a reputation for being busy are especially at risk for being asked to do anything and everything. From volunteer groups to family members to your boss to people from every area of life try to ask more and more of you. Beyond that, our culture often incorrectly equates being busy with being successful.
As an entrepreneur who is starting a brand-new side hustle, having the ability to respectfully say “no” is paramount. If you say “yes” to every request that comes your way, you’ll never have time to rest and recharge. This often lowers your ability to perform and can cause feelings of resentment toward those asking you to do whatever it is you agreed to do. Instead, only say “yes” to the things that are most important.
Outsource various tasks to add more time to your schedule
The effort that you put into starting a part-time business is nearly the same as a full-time business. No matter how many hours you plan to devote to your new endeavor, you still need to fill out countless forms, create branding and a website, and acquire all needed licenses and permits.
At least at the very beginning, asking for help is a wise move. Trying to do everything by yourself is a quick way to deplete your energy, and to have no time available for self-care. For example, if you are planning on starting an LLC in Montana, enlist the help of a formation service. Not only can you quickly determine whether you are adhering to all of your state’s LLC regulations, but you’ll also have peace of mind in knowing that the task was done correctly.
Plan weekly in-home spa evenings
While true self-care is about more than just bubble baths and face masks, elements like these are definitely a part of the equation. Pampering yourself with a weekly in-home spa evening is an outstanding way to relax and unwind. It is also a great way to nourish your hair, skin, nails, and other parts of your body.
Each week, schedule time to unplug and enjoy your favorite spa treatments. Indulge in a foot mask, foot peel, a candlelit bath, and your favorite lotion. You can also diffuse calming essential oils to enhance the experience.
Take care of both your physical & mental health
Last but not least, it is super critical to create a plan for taking care of both your physical and mental health. Your plan should be based on your individual needs and can include everything from having a nutritious morning smoothie to attending weekly therapy sessions. Give yourself permission to do whatever it is you need to do to feel balanced, nourished, and healthy.
Neglecting your self-care routine in favor of your work is one of the quickest paths to burnout. Striving toward balance with strategies like these can help you reach the top of your industry while feeling and looking your best.
