Possibly the most important thing any founder can do is invest in their own health.
In fact, while many don’t talk about it, their health and well-being tend to suffer to the point of burnout. Avoiding burnout is necessary to stay positive and be successful. Here’s why founders should invest in their health.
Take Time for Personal Relationships
When personal relationships suffer, entrepreneurs may experience more loneliness, stress, depression and other problems. For one, family and friends can be supportive in times of need. A few ways to prioritize family time are keeping a flexible schedule, utilizing technology less often and taking some time each day to understand what really matters. Excessive use of technology may cause lower sleep quality, stress and anxiety, eye strain, overuse injuries, tension headaches and muscle pain. For this reason and others, it’s vital to skip technology as often as necessary for better health and make time for family.
The truth is, it isn’t necessary to sacrifice family for career success. One reason is because there are various ways to communicate with loved ones with advances in technology. With this in mind, when one has a few minutes of free time, they can communicate by using an app, picking up the phone or even writing a letter. Apps for staying in touch are Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp, Houseparty or Marco Polo. Freeing up some space in each day for family and friends is one of the best things an entrepreneur can do for herself and her company.
Prioritize Health and Well-Being
In the world of entrepreneurship, sleep deprivation, burnout and stress are practically the norm. This can have a negative effect on one’s ability to make decisions, be creative and stay productive. As a surefire recipe for disaster, nobody can survive for long in work or play when they’re in poor health.
Consequently, lack of sleep can cause emotional outbursts where relationships in the workplace and home life suffer. Other problems founders may encounter by not getting adequate sleep are poor focus, weakened immune system and weight gain, among others. On the other hand, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, obesity and many other problems. Some tips for better quality sleep include:
- Turn off all devices an hour before bed.
- Make sure the mattress size you sleep on fits you (and your partner’s) needs. Sleeping on a twin bed when you’re six foot five will result in poor rest.
- Stop drinking alcohol at night.
Founders can and should find time for taking care of their health and well-being. Making smart choices in this area now is the key to a better future for the company. The busy entrepreneur can use self care strategies like creating a workspace they love, seeking human interaction, eating healthy, exercising regularly, spending time in nature, taking care of mental health and treating him or herself. In addition to this, spiritual techniques such as meditation and yoga have plenty of benefits to one’s health and well-being. For example, some benefits of yoga are better sleep quality, brighter mood, improved stress management, back pain relief, heart health maintenance, increased energy and more.
Invest in Their Own Professional Development
While investing in the professional development of employees is one way to be successful, entrepreneurs may forget the value of taking care of themselves. For instance, as employees improve their skills, the boss’ skills can become outdated. This makes it increasingly difficult to stay in charge, especially when employees are more knowledgeable.
As the company and employees grow and mature, the founder should commit to staying on top of things. The boss who doesn’t take care of himself will no longer be capable of enjoying the results of his hard labor. On the bright side, he who makes wise decisions will have enough energy and stamina to stay ahead of the game.
While being successful in a career is crucial to personal happiness, entrepreneurs will achieve more by making healthy lifestyle choices. Taking time each day for self care is a smart way to rise to the top. They can have it all, including healthier relationships, a personal life and a successful career.