Are you a female entrepreneur and are finding it hard to balance self care with your business?
I put self-care on the back-burner for a long time because I prioritized my family and my business first.
And because of this, I ended up being no good to anyone!
My mind was frazzled so I couldn’t concentrate and make important decisions in my business.
I was too tired to do activities with my family.
And, I basically looked like a hot mess!
Self-Care for Female Entrepreneurs
I eventually realized what I had been doing in that my self-care and work-life balance was all out of sink, and so I decided to change things around a bit and to start taking self-care much more seriously.
So today, I’m going to share with you my thirteen self-care tips to help understand what self-care looks like, and how it can be incorporated into your daily routines without sacrificing business success.
So in this blog post we’re going to cover:
1) Setting Boundaries
2) Time for Rest & Relaxation
3) Creating a support System
4) Developing Healthy Habits
5) Practicing Mindfulness (meditation video)
6) Understanding Stress Management
7) Achieving Balance in Life
9) Adopting Positive Affirmations
10) Finding Joy in Small Things
11) Eating Healthy Foods
12) Exercise Regularly
13) Taking Breaks from Technology
14) Learning to Say No
So let’s get started…
1) Setting Boundaries
As a female entrepreneur, you might often feel the need to serve everyone and everything around you.
And in the process, you’re likely to forget to take care of yourself.
Therefore, setting boundaries is an integral part of self-care because it helps ensure that your needs are being met while also allowing you to better serve others.
Boundaries can involve anything from:
- Setting limits on how much time you spend working each day or week, to
- Saying no when someone asks for something you don’t have the energy or resources to give.
When creating boundaries, start small and work your way up as needed.
Take inventory of your time and energy levels throughout your days so that you know where best to draw the line. Making sure these lines are respected by yourself and those around you will help foster healthier relationships in both personal and professional settings.
Self Care for Female Entrepreneurs
2) Making Time For Rest And Relaxation
Following on from setting your boundaries comes a much-needed reprieve from work.
As a female entrepreneur, you’re often so passionate about your projects that rest and relaxation become afterthoughts in lieu of productivity. But it’s essential to make time for self care as part of any successful business plan.
Rest is not just necessary for physical health but also mental well being. The stressors associated with running a business can be draining if there aren’t enough opportunities or moments to relax and recharge.
Making an effort to create space away from work will help to restore balance and clarity, which should lead to better decision making and increased focus on tasks at hand.
So take some ‘me time’ each day: whether it’s taking a walk around your neighborhood, listening to music, reading a book, or simply meditating for five minutes – do something that brings joy without feeling guilty about it!
These activities have been proven to reduce stress levels while boosting creativity and motivation; all elements needed by any entrepreneurial woman who strives towards success.
3) Creating A Support System
Having a strong support system in place mightn’t initially sound like self-care but it is an important aspect of it.
It’s important to make time for other people and activities that bring you joy and comfort outside of work.
This could mean attending events or meetups related to your business, joining an online community focused on female entrepreneurs, or even just setting aside regular time each week to catch up with friends and family members.
When it comes to finding the right people to rely on during tough times, look for individuals who have similar goals and experiences as you do – they will most likely understand what it takes to succeed in the same industry better than anyone else.
Additionally, don’t forget about professional resources such as:
- Mentors
- Advisors
- Coaches, and
- Therapists
…if needed. These professionals can provide valuable guidance throughout your business career journey.
Having a strong base of supportive connections isn’t always easy but it’s worth making the effort for both your mental health and success in life as an entrepreneur. It also doesn’t hurt to ask for help when needed!
Doing so allows others to lend a helping hand while providing some much-needed reassurance that you’re not alone on your entrepreneurial path.
Self Care for Female Entrepreneurs
4) Developing Healthy Habits
This is something which I’ve been working on myself for quite some time.
I’m trying to fade-out my unhealthy habits and introduce new healthy habits instead.
These habits can be as simple as:
- Get plenty of sleep every night (if you can!)
- Do journaling first thing in the morning.
- Eat nutritious meals throughout day.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stay active with a little daily exercise.
By forming these simple steps into daily habits, they will automatically give you more energy and clarity during the day so that you can tackle any challenge that comes your way.
So write down all your unhealthy habits, or habits which are not currently serving you and write a list of the habits which you want to implement into your life.
Related Reading: 7 Daily Habits of Women Who Succeed in Business
When everyday tasks such as these turn into habits, they don’t become tasks any more – they just become an automated habit!
5) Practicing Mindfulness
It’s easy for anyone to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, especially when you’re a female entrepreneur.
Stress and anxiety plays a big part in the lives of some, and it’s very hard to be productive when in this state. So if this is you, then take some time to practice mindfulness.
Here’s a 5-minute mindfulness meditation I found on YouTube. You can listen to this in your lunch break (make time for one) or at the end of the day before you go to sleep.
Self Care for Female Entrepreneurs
6) Understanding Stress Management
Now that you’ve practiced mindfulness, it’s time to understand stress management. It’s a key factor for female entrepreneurs who need to keep themselves in check and become more productive.
Stress can make or break an individual – so it’s important to manage your workload effectively and take regular breaks from work.
Here are some steps to take to help manage stress:
- When feeling overwhelmed, remember to stay present in the moment.
- Take deep breaths and acknowledge how you’re feeling in order to release any pent-up energy.
- Acknowledge both positive and negative emotions which will help you find balance within yourself while also allowing space for growth.
You can also ask yourself questions such as:
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What is the root cause of my stress? Is it a specific event, person, or circumstance?
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Is the stressor within my control or outside of it?
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Can I change anything about the situation?
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What are my options for addressing the stressor?
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Can I develop a plan of action to tackle it?
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How important is the source of my stress in the grand scheme of things? Will it matter in a week, a month, or a year?
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Are my expectations for myself and others realistic? Can I adjust them to reduce stress?
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Am I overthinking the situation? Am I focusing too much on potential negative outcomes?
When you ask questions like these, they will help you to better understand why you’re stressed at any given time, and you can then forma plan to cope with the stress.
Be Kind To Yourself
Whatever you do; don’t stress about being stressed, and don’t berate yourself for feeling this way.
Be kind to yourself.
Do some activities which you enjoy, try and practice self-care stress-reducing rituals such as:
- Meditation
- Yoga or
- Journaling on a regular basis.
If possible, try taking short walks outdoors or even go for long drives with friends or family members.
Listening to music or podcasts are great ways to relax too!
These activities not only provide mental clarity but they also give much needed reprieve from constantly working hard each day.
7) Achieving Balance In Life
It’s the good old ‘work~life balance’ situation.
When you’re a female entrepreneur and you’re juggling business and family life, self-care seems to take the back seat.
Just make sure that you incorporate self-care in this work~life balance equation 🙂
8) Adopting Positive Affirmations
Adopting positive affirmations into your routine can help you relax, stay motivated and reduce stress.
Think of positive affirmations as mini mantras that will encourage and empower you during tough times.
They are simple statements or words that focus on the present moment in order to create positivity and clarity within yourself.
Here are some tips on how to incorporate them into your daily life:
Start Each Day With an Affirmation
When you wake up, take a few moments to recite one or two empowering statements out loud about yourself. This helps set the tone for the rest of the day.
Write Down at Least 3 Affirmations Every Day
Writing these little reminders throughout the week makes it easier to remember them when they’re needed most.
Carry around a notebook or journal where you can jot down any new ones that come to mind so they don’t slip away from memory.
Surround Yourself with Inspiration
Hang inspiring quotes or messages around your workspace, make use of vision boards, keep motivational music playing nearby, etc.
All of this will help remind you of your goals and dreams whenever you need a boost!
Positive affirmations have been proven effective tools for mental health maintenance and personal development — not only do they provide emotional support but also allow us to develop better habits over time by shifting our perspectives on things like success, failure, worthiness and more.
So if you’re looking for ways to nurture your well-being while running a business, adopting positive affirmations could be just what you need!
Self Care for Female Entrepreneurs
9) Finding Joy In Small Things
Having positive affirmations in your life can empower you as a female entrepreneur. But how do you find joy and contentment during the times when life gets too overwhelming?
The answer is to look for it in small things.
It may sound simple, but acknowledging and appreciating even the most minuscule of moments can be profoundly rewarding. Finding joy amidst all the chaos gives us a sense of calm and peace that encourages us to keep pushing forward – no matter what life throws at us.
Finding joy in tiny things such as:
- Smelling freshly brewed coffee.
- Taking time out to watch a sunrise or sunset.
- Looking up at starry night skies.
- Feeling the sun on your skin.
- Listening to music you love, or
- Having meaningful conversations with people you care about.
… there are countless little ways we can bring more beauty into our lives each day.
You don’t have to wait for big milestones before celebrating – every single moment provides an opportunity for delight!
So take time out of your busy schedule to appreciate these tiny gifts that make life so much sweeter.
10) Eating Healthy Foods
I’m sure that as a female entrepreneur, you know that maintaining a healthy diet is essential to your success.
You need energy and vitality in order to keep up with your busy lifestyles and achieve the goals you have set for yourself. Eating well can help us stay focused on our tasks and reduce stress levels throughout the day.
Start by identifying areas where you could eat healthier and commit to making one change at a time.
For example, if you usually reach for unhealthy snacks mid-morning, switch them out for something like nuts or fruits instead.
If your lunchtime habit typically consists of takeout food, try meal prepping ahead of time so you always have nutritious options available.
Don’t forget to treat yourself once in awhile too; it’s important to enjoy the foods we love while still taking care of ourselves!
Fueling our bodies with nourishing foods will give us more energy and help us feel better overall – both mentally and physically. This makes it easier for us to show up fully each day as successful entrepreneurs who are passionate about serving others.
11) Exercising Regularly
Exercising regularly is an important part of any self-care routine for female entrepreneurs. Not only does it help to reduce stress, but it also keeps our bodies strong and healthy.
Therefore, it’s essential that you make the time to exercise on a regular basis so that you can give yourself the best chance at having enough energy throughout the day.
There are many different types of exercises that you can do as a female entrepreneur, such as yoga, running, weightlifting or swimming – whatever works best for your body type!
No matter what kind of physical activity you choose, be sure to start slowly and check in with yourself often.
Aim to set aside 15 minutes each day for light stretching or walking outside if possible – this simple step will have a big impact on your overall well-being.
This is because exercising outdoors comes with its own special benefits: fresh air, vitamin D from the sun and plenty of nature-inspired motivation!
12) Taking Breaks From Technology
As female entrepreneurs, we often feel like we’re living in an age of constant connection.
We’re constantly checking emails and notifications from our many devices that require our attention and energy on a daily basis. Although technology helps us work more efficiently, it can also be detrimental to our mental health if we don’t take breaks from it.
For example, disconnecting for 15 minutes or taking a walk outside can get your creative juices flowing again.
You could even consider taking the whole day off once in awhile to give yourself some much-needed rest and relaxation.
Additionally, make sure to set aside time each week where you turn off all screens – no phones, computers or TV! This will help to protect your eyesight while giving you space away from the digital world.
It’s important to remember that self care should always come first when running a business; without proper breaks, burnout is inevitable.
Taking regular breaks allows us to maintain a healthy balance between work and life as well as manage stress levels effectively.
So make sure to unplug every now and then – this way, you’ll be able to focus better throughout the week and have enough energy left over for everything else going on in your life too.
Self Care for Female Entrepreneurs
13) Learning To Say No
It’s easy to fall into a trap of saying ‘yes’ too often and over-committing yourself.
I understand that you want to be helpful and generous with your time, so you can provide the best service possible for everyone who needs you.
Therefore, learning how to say no is essential in order to stay healthy and productive as an entrepreneur.
It doesn’t mean you’re being selfish; instead, it means that you value your own energy enough to not spread yourself too thin and risk burn out or fatigue.
Once you get comfortable setting boundaries and creating space for yourself, you’ll find that there are much more fulfilling ways to serve others without feeling overwhelmed by obligations.
By recognizing what tasks are most important for your business goals and prioritizing them, you can practice self-care from a place of intention rather than exhaustion.
When you learn how to say no early on, you open up opportunities for greater success down the road—all while taking better care of yourself along the way!
Conclusion
In conclusion, self-care is essential for female entrepreneurs. In today’s world of fast-paced technology and constant work demands, it can be difficult to prioritize taking care of ourselves.
However, the importance of self-care cannot be overstated – studies have shown that women who take time away from their businesses report feeling more energized and productive when they return.
I encourage all female entrepreneurs to make self-care a priority in their lives by setting boundaries, creating a support system, developing healthy habits, exercising regularly, taking breaks from technology and learning to say no.
Doing so will not only improve your mental state but also benefit your business in the long run. For instance, 84% of women reported greater job satisfaction after introducing regular practice of self-care into their lives!
It goes without saying that we all need a little extra love sometimes, especially us busy ladies running our own businesses! Self-care is key to ensure that you are living life to its fullest potential while still achieving your goals as an entrepreneur.
So don’t forget to treat yourself right – because you deserve it!
Hi, I’m Claire Bullerwell
I’ve ran dozens of home-based businesses, both offline and online, since my early twenties. I started this blog to share all my wealth of knowledge and experience to help women just like you; to find your dream home business and to live your best life.
Follow me and let’s get acquainted…
