Ambitious business plans often hamper the best self-care intentions. An excessive workload, fuelled by poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle all adds to heightened anxiety, stress and the dreaded middle-aged spread. While businesses are putting more emphasis on employer well-being, when it comes to business owners and those in senior management positions they are often guilty of skipping even the most basic self-care regime to stay healthy and in control of their workload. Follow these simple, yet effective, ways to ensure your workload doesn’t hamper your health and ongoing business success:

Move more

It has been proven that active people are more productive, better sleepers and less stressed. But you don’t have to run a marathon; start by incorporating little bits of activeness in your daily life. Yes, take the stairs rather than the lift, or instead of a sit-down meeting do a ‘Talk while you walk’. Explore options how to make exercise part of your working day such as cycling to work or a lunch time run or gym session.

Mindfulness and meditation

Mindfulness is not just a craze. It is a proven technique that leads to greater focus and found to effectively combat stress. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can be practised daily and even a ten minute session a day is said to improve your mental health and well-being. There are plenty of stress-busting apps to help you on your self-care journey, such as Simple Habit, Headspace or The Mindfulness App.

Disconnect

The desire to be available and connected at all times is overwhelming and employees often feel pressured to check emails after work. Many companies now have policies in place that restrict staff from logging in outside of work hours. However, business owners have a real struggle to disconnect. Some company bosses follow, what they call, the trust process. By appointing key staff to deal with issues in their absence they ensure nothing will be overseen while they switch off and enjoy a well-earned break.

Easy on the sides

Long days combined with excessive workload and pressure often lead to poor nutritional choices. Healthy nutritional advice is plentiful but time to prepare of a minimum, which most of these eating plans often require. Instead of stressing over it, make a conscientious effort to grab the apple and not the biscuit. Small changes over time will lead to bigger ones and your body will thank you for it.

Getting in the zzzz’s

Yes, the recommended nightly shut-eye is considered to be 8 hours a night. Most business owners unfortunately average way below this. Studies have shown that getting a regular 6 hours of sleep aids the body in recovering from daily stresses and helps to keep you in tip top shape, ready for a day at the office. Set yourself up for a good night’s sleep by disconnecting an hour before bedtime and set a handy reminder on your phone to notify you when it’s time to turn in.