As a business owner, your business is on your mind 24/7. You’re constantly thinking about what you have to do next, whether you are making the right decisions, what the projected revenue is over the next three months to one year, and how to keep the business afloat.
The real questions are:
- When do you give yourself a break?
- Do you ever give yourself a mental or physical break?
- What self-care do you do for yourself?
Take 10-30 seconds to think about that.
If the answer is no, never, or I don’t know, you’re in the right place.
As a business owner, you HAVE to take care of yourself to ensure your business will survive and, more importantly, thrive. The same goes for the safety instructions on a plane ready for take-off; you are told to put your oxygen mask on before you put anyone else’s on. This is pertinent for survival in any situation. How will you or your business survive if you put the oxygen mask on everyone else first?
While self-care can take on many forms, engaging in exercise is an easy form of self-care that can help your mental health and physical well-being with as little as 30 minutes of daily activity.
Benefits of Exercise for Small Business Owners
There are many different benefits to incorporating physical activity into your life and your day-to-day routine. Some benefits to exercise include:
- mental clarity and overall mental health improvements
- lowering the risk of health diseases
- reduction of stress and anxiety
- overall energy boost
- improve sleep quality
- and much more
Exercise is a small yet monumental form of self-care that will enable you to give back to yourself and, more importantly, your business. Sounds pretty great, right?
Types of Exercise
Exercise or physical activity can take on many forms. There is no right or wrong answer to what form of exercise you choose. From joining a gym to taking a specific class (yoga, barre, weight training, etc.) or taking a daily walk, exercising for as little as 30 minutes a day will transform your life. Not only are you thinking more clearly, but you are also able to help others more efficiently and help your business thrive even more.
Fitting Exercise Into an Already Busy Schedule
Though it seems like a daunting task to find a way to “fit in” exercise within an already hectic schedule, there are many ways to do so! One way is calendar blocking for personal tasks. Once exercise time is blocked, give that time to yourself and go for it. Before you know it, you will show up for your business with a positive mood, a clearer head, and more energy.
Just like you are committed to your work and the success of your business, when you commit to self-care with exercise, you will see your business shine brighter and better than before.
How to Get Started With Exercise As Self-Care
The most common reasons why people hesitate to begin a self-care exercise program are:
- lack of time
- lack of motivation
- or simply not knowing what to do
So, how do you get over the excuses and get started with exercise as self-care?
Start small and avoid the negative self-talk that sabotages your mindset.
Time Block. Set aside 30 minutes at least 2-3 times a week. We can’t emphasize it enough – block off your calendar (there’s a course for that) and devote time to exercise. If you can’t commit to 30 minutes, start with 10 minutes and build up to two or three 10-minute sessions a day.
Choose Your Exercise. Then, pick the type of exercise you want to do. If you are struggling to figure out what exercise to choose, ask someone who does physical activity regularly, is a professional, or simply try different activities to see what you like. Plus, trying out different forms of exercise will keep your motivation high.
Start Moving. You may not figure out what exactly you enjoy doing right away, but the main thing is to block out time and begin. You will see the benefits naturally. Start with a walk outside or on the treadmill during a call, or throw a podcast on while lifting weights.
Add On. After you’re consistent with that cadence, block more time devoted to physical activity within the days you are working out or build additional 30-minute blocks in your day.
Reap the Rewards. You can reap many benefits by recognizing the value of self-care and integrating regular exercise into your life as a business owner. Embrace the power of self-care through fitness, and watch your business thrive alongside your personal growth and fulfillment.
For more self-guided resources, visit our complete guide to successful small business operations.
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