You’re up at 6am, grinding by 7, and answering Slack messages at 10pm. Sound familiar? For a lot of us running businesses or chasing down ideas, the hustle never really stops. But here’s the thing: if you don’t put some care into you, there’s no fuel in the tank for everything else.
Self-care doesn’t have to be a full-on yoga retreat in Bali (although hey, no judgement if that’s your vibe). It can be way simpler – and it can genuinely make you sharper, happier, and more productive.
Sleep: The Unsexy Superpower
Let’s start with the one that always gets pushed to the bottom of the list: sleep.
If you’ve ever bragged about pulling an all-nighter, thinking you were being super productive… yeah, I’ve been there too. But according to this Forbes article, getting too little sleep can actually slow down your thinking, your creativity, and your decision-making. Basically all the stuff you need to run a business well.
And here’s the kicker – burning yourself out means you’ll end up needing even more time to recover later. Not exactly a win.
Be Kind to Yourself
This one might sound fluffy, but it’s actually kinda crucial.
Rosanna nails it when she says that self-care is also about not being so hard on yourself. If your friend told you they felt rubbish for skipping workouts or ordering takeaway three nights in a row, you wouldn’t tear them down – you’d tell them to give themselves a break.
So why don’t we do that for ourselves?
Running a business is a lot. You’re allowed off days. You’re allowed messy weeks. And you’re definitely allowed to not have it all figured out.
Self-Care at Work Isn’t Selfish
There’s a myth that self-care is indulgent or unnecessary in the workplace – especially if you’re the one running the show. But the truth? It’s good business.
According to Health Shield, encouraging simple things like walking meetings or blocking out “no call” time can make a big difference in your mental health and your ability to actually get stuff done.
And if you’re working solo? You can still create boundaries that protect your energy. Honestly, even a walk round the block helps.
Make It Ritual (and Fun)
Self-care sticks best when it doesn’t feel like another chore. So yeah – light that candle. Buy the nice notebook. Take the midweek bath. Or, if you’re near central London, treat yourself to a facial or massage at Belle Cour Beauty between meetings. They’ve got salons in Baker Street and Victoria, so it’s kind of perfect.
The point is: it doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should feel good. Recharging isn’t lazy – it’s necessary.
Wrapping It Up
You are your business’s biggest asset. If you’re running on empty, everything else is going to feel like a slog. So give yourself permission to rest, reset, and do stuff that makes you feel like an actual human again.
Self-care isn’t just a buzzword. It’s your secret edge.