This week I’ve been reflecting on the importance of both mental and physical health. As business owners how do we keep ourselves healthy and in a good rhythm? Running a business can feel like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, one minute the high of signing another client, launching a new product or onboarding a member of the team, the next the crushing low of receiving a complaint, losing a deal or feeling overwhelmed by everything on our plate. How do you balance the demands on your time? How do you find a rhythm that works for you? And how do you prioritise your health amongst so many competing priorities?
“The greatest wealth is health.” Virgil
How do you prioritise your health?
I recently participated in a piece of research by Serena Sabala of Whole Shift Wellness. She is interviewing women who run 6-figure businesses about their health and wellness goals to identify trends, best practices and solutions. Our conversation was really insightful for me and a great reminder of the power of great questions! Hearing myself tell Serena that my mental and physical health is THE most important thing was a pivotal moment.
Up until a few years ago I never really thought about my health. I was never sporty at school and I always associated stress with doing things you don’t enjoy! I had a very rude awakening from that place of ignorance and have been educating myself ever since…
But ever though my health has become more important to me over these past few years, it wasn’t until that conversation with Serena that I realised just how critical it is to everything we do. When I was preparing for my TEDx talk ‘Are all roads still leading to you in your business?’ in late 2019, I discovered that the World Health Organisation had that same year classified burnout as a legitimate medical diagnosis.
Doctors are told to look out for –
⚡ depletion of energy and feeling completely drained
⚡ disconnection or dissociation with work
⚡ feelings of negativity or cynicism
⚡ a significant drop off in performance
It can be hard to recognise the signs when we love what we do. I tell my clients that self-care isn’t selfish. If you’re not OK, how can you run a business, manage a team or serve your clients? It took me many years to realise how close I’ve come and how often. That’s why helping business owners avoid burnout and falling out of love with their businesses is something I’m so passionate about.
Here’s my Top 10 Tips on how to keep yourself healthy:-
🌟 Talk about how you’re feeling – anxiety, stress and overwhelm are very normal for entrepreneurs but it helps to talk
🌟 Keep active – regular exercise can boost your confidence, help you focus and change your perspective
🌟 Eat a varied diet full of nutrients to feed your body and mind
🌟 Watch out for ‘crutches’ like sugar and alcohol that we use to alter our mood, but don’t serve us well
🌟 Surround yourself with people who support and lift you up
🌟 Asking for help is not a weakness but a strength
🌟 Take regular breaks to clear your head – change your environment if you can
🌟 Spend as much time as you can in your flow, doing what you love and what you’re good at
🌟 Caring for others helps build connections and boosts your self-esteem
🌟 Accept who you are – everyone else is taken!
It’s completely unrealistic to expect yourself to know everything or be able to do everything. Please be kind to yourself and if you’d like to talk through the choices you’re facing or any blockers in your business, let me know.
Lisa Zevi – March 2021