“Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.” ~ Audre Lorde
Self-care is more than a trendy buzzword; it's a profound practice that involves nurturing our body, mind, and spirit.
It's about replenishing yourself to prevent depletion, enabling you to offer the best of yourself to your business and relationships. True self-care means treating yourself with the same compassion you would show to a cherished friend.
Self-care is crucial for mature online entrepreneurs, who often balance numerous responsibilities, and should be incorporated in their daily routine.
Contents:
Understanding Self-Care
Self-care encompasses activities that fortify our overall well-being, steering clear of temporary fixes like excessive spending or unhealthy habits. It’s about being kind to yourself and allowing vulnerability, such as seeking help when needed. This practice is fundamental for sustaining your energy and maintaining the resilience required to nurture professional relationships and drive business success.
Why Self-Care is Essential for Business and Relationships
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
~ Jack Kornfield
For mature entrepreneurs, self-care is indispensable. Prioritizing your well-being reflects self-respect and enhances self-esteem, building a positive outlook that is infectious and beneficial in business interactions. It encourages a deeper self-awareness, providing insights into personal needs and boundaries—critical components in effective relationship management. Practicing self-care also improves stress management, enabling you to prioritize effectively and maintain the energy needed for both personal and professional interactions.
According to the mindmap.co.uk, “Self-care can improve your confidence, presentation skills, cognitive skills, and organizational skills.”
Practical Strategies
Incorporating self-care need not be complex or time-consuming. Following are ways to integrate self-care into your normal routine:
- Nature Walks and Physical Activity: Engage in activities like walking, or light gym sessions to rejuvenate both mind and body.
- Setting Boundaries: Recognize that “No” is a sentence and learn to say it more often. Always remember that you cannot give from an empty wagon so setting boundaries is not selfish. Prioritizing your own needs is essential, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Saying No to others allow you to say Yes to yourself more often.
- Simple Pleasures: Treat yourself to small delights, whether it's a favorite snack, a movie, or a soothing bath. I’m not a huge fan of television, but there are times when I just want to watch a light romantic “feel good” movie or an episode from Perry Mason in black and white.
- Deep Breathing: Deep-breathing exercises can greatly reduce stress and enhance mental clarity.
Creating a Self-Care Backup Plan
Developing a list of easy-to-implement self-care actions for stressful times is vital. This list might include:
- Get ample sleep
- Practice healthy eating habits, and
- Reach out for support when necessary.
In addition, assembling a care package with personal treats like books or herbal teas beforehand can offer comfort on tough days. Enjoy soaking in the bathtub? Remember to include some delightfully fragranced bath salts. While you’re planning for your personal spa, why not include a playlist you can listen to that will encourage and enhance your feeling of relaxation.
Having this care package assembled ahead of time and ready to go will be like a lifeline on those tough days.
Leverage Your Support Network
Engaging your support network is also key. Inform close friends or family about your self-care strategies and how they can support you in maintaining these practices, especially during challenging periods.
Over the years, I’ve found it’s easy to start any routine with gusto, and with time it becomes less effective. It’s not that your plan has become ineffective; you simply forget to implement it, or you did it for a time, you felt better, and stopped making it a part of your routine.
Enlisting an accountability partner, one who has your best interests at heart will help you keep on track. Give him or her permission to call you out and remind you if you’re slipping into habits that do not support your goal.
Cost-Effective Self-Care
Self-care doesn't have to be expensive. It can be as simple as allocating time for solitude with a cup of tea or enjoying a leisurely stroll in your community. Even minimal activities like journaling or reaching out to a friend can significantly uplift your spirits without impacting your budget.
As an entrepreneur, solopreneur, coach, or mentor, we all need quiet time to think and plan for our business. If we’re always busy working IN our business, we’ll have little time to work ON our business and plan for expansion and growth. Successful business owners have shared that they take time to dream. They appreciate the gift of silence. When was the last time you gave yourself the gift of silence—engaging in silent contemplation?
Setting boundaries must be included in your self-care routine. When you give yourself the gift of time and solitude then you’re empowering yourself to show up authentically and energetically for your clients and customers, as well as your family and friends.
Maintaining the Momentum
Continuing your self-care practices regularly requires intention and planning. Schedule self-care just as you would any business appointment and develop a comprehensive plan that includes quick-access resources and support contacts for encouragement.
Self-care is a dynamic process that demands ongoing attention and adaptation. Regular self-assessment helps ensure that you are devoting sufficient time to your personal well-being, which is essential for sustaining and enhancing your business and personal relationships.
By making self-care a core aspect of your lifestyle, you not only enhance your personal health but also set a foundation for continued professional success and deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Yvonne A Jones is your Relationship Building Strategist | Personal Business Coach | Amazon Best Selling Author. She uses a holistic approach that embraces a whole-body and mind approach, so her clients achieve transformation by combining Personal Development and Business Growth.
2 replies to "The Importance of Self-Care"
Yvonne –
Like pretty much everything I read on your website, this was an excellent post. Self-care is something I neglect way more than I should.
Richard, you’re not alone. I believe most men feel self-care is for women, but it is for everyone. We all have our responsibilities and for us as business owners, that’s another thing – a very big thing in our lives. So, it’s important to take time away and give ourselves “Me” time to think, to plan, to recharge. Thank you for reading and leaving your excellent comment.