Being your own boss is hard work, especially when you’re growing a new business.

Long hours, gruelling schedules, and the unwavering resilience required to remain steadfast when things get tough can take its toll on your health.

We’re conditioned to put our wellbeing on the backburner in favour of pushing through and getting things done, but prioritising your wellness, and that of your staff, is one of the most important investments you can make in your business.

Because if you’re not putting petrol back in your tank, you will eventually start running on empty, which is why we’ve compiled some simple tips and tricks for staying energised and on top of your game.

Build Mental Resilience

As an entrepreneur, it’s likely you’re almost always working, or thinking about work, or available at any given moment. To add to this, our digital age means that we are always connected, every minute of every day.

Fact – you need to take a break, which brings us to:

The Mini-Digital-Detox

No, this doesn’t mean fleeing to a remote island with no cellphone reception. Rather, set aside some time in your day when you aren’t looking at your phone, tablet or computer, even if it’s only for 20 minutes before bedtime.

Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene refers to basic practices that enable you to have the best possible sleep quality and duration. These include limiting stimulants for at least an hour before bedtime (including coffee, alcohol and screen time). Going to sleep at the same time every night, and waking up at the same time every morning, will get your body into a regular sleeping routine.

Have Fun and Rest

The workaholics out there probably had a minor panic attack when reading the above sub-heading, but you have to maintain a work-life balance.

Find a hobby, spend time with friends and family, spend the afternoon on the couch binging Showmax – whatever you need to do to relax.

When we are relaxed and happy, our brains are infused with dopamine and serotonin – chemicals that improve learning ability, concentration, creative problem-solving skills and memory.

Keep all of this in mind for your staff, because they need a break, too. Set up boundaries that ensure that they have the time to relax.

App Support

Your phone doesn’t only have to be a source of stress because it can also help you chill.

Apps like Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer and Sanctuary with Rod Stryker provide simple meditation, calming and sleep techniques to build resilience and support mental wellness.

For tips on optimising performance, try listening to podcasts by other entrepreneurs and wellness experts, such as ‘How I Built This’, ‘Tools of Titans’ and ‘GirlBoss’.

Get Emotionally and Mentally Fit

It takes a lot of mental and emotional resilience to succeed as a business owner, but there are ways to develop a well-trained mind alongside high levels of emotional intelligence and robustness.

Create a daily inventory which will help you develop emotional awareness. Ask yourself questions like:

• How much stress do I have right now?

• Can I eliminate some of it?

• What am I doing to support myself?

• Are my coping mechanisms making me stronger, or less resilient?

• How is my eating/drinking?

• Am I getting enough rest?

• What is my general mood?

• What sets me off?

• What calms and stabilises me?

• What can I do to support myself better?

Mentors and Support Networks

Connect with other entrepreneurs who understand your struggle and can provide useful tips and advice.

Don’t Be Ashamed To Ask For Help

It might feel like asking for help makes you look weak and incompetent, but that isn’t the case. It’s more common than you think for people to struggle with mental health.

If you need professional help, or if an employee is battling, make use of readily available counselling resources like ICAS, which offers psychiatric services for businesses.

Lifeline and FAMSA offer free counselling services. You can also find coaches, counsellors and therapists here at FindHelp.

Finally – healthy body, healthy mind.

Maintain Physical Health

A little exercise every day, and some good eating habits go a long way.

• Get up as much as possible during the day. Even a few simple desk stretches can help.
• Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Do something you enjoy, otherwise, you’re less likely to commit.
• Join a group/team, and get your staff involved in fun wellness challenges.

Maintain a healthy, balanced diet that nourishes your body.

Your body needs as many nutrients as possible to function at optimal levels. If you eat a varied diet, there’s less chance you’ll crave the ‘quick fix’ sugary foods that have limited nutritional value.

• Keep fruit around the office. Avoid vending machines.
• Swap coffee for green tea.
• Use apps like MyFitnessPal that track your diet and WaterLog to make sure you remain well-hydrated.

Don’t wait until there’s a problem before taking action. Building healthy habits that support your wellbeing will help you to be the resilient, strong person you need to be to run a successful business.

This information was provided by Yoco – helping power businesses since 2013.