The first wealth is health, said Ralph Waldo Emerson, the emblematic American poet and philosopher. Every entrepreneur understands the wisdom in that profound quote.
If you are exhausted and experiencing brain fog, you will not be as productive as you want in your business. The life of an entrepreneur can be exciting and rewarding. But if he is not careful, it can also affect his mental and physical health.
There are long hours, uncertainty and stress. The intense nature of entrepreneurship can eventually lead to burnout. Your performance could suffer, causing more stress. The good news is that you can, in fact, have it all. Some simple, healthy options can help you have more energy and mental focus. You will be able to increase your efficiency and productivity without sacrificing your health and well-being.
Typical health advice for entrepreneurs goes something like this. People say: “Oh, you need to relax more.”. EITHER “Quality sleep is critical to your well-being as a business owner.” But that kind of generic advice is not beneficial. How can you relax when you’re stressed about client deadlines? Maybe you try to go to bed at a decent time but have trouble falling asleep. Let’s take a look at four simple things you can do today to feel more relaxed, have more energy, and sleep better.
Mindfulness is a state of mind in which you focus on being aware of the present moment. You can focus on your breathing, thoughts, feelings, or sensations in your body.
The most common form of mindfulness practice is meditation. Take 10-20 minutes each day to sit and train your awareness to focus on the present moment.
Some of the world’s most prominent entrepreneurs swear that their performance improves because of their meditation practices. We can cite Tim Ferris, Arianna Huffington and Ray Dalio. And for good reason. The University of Miami conducted a seven-year study. They found that a consistent meditation practice resulted in better mental focus. It also prevented age-related brain decline.
But you don’t need to meditate for seven years to enjoy the benefits. According to one study, it can significantly reduce stress in a matter of weeks.
There are a few ways to get started with meditation. You can search for instructions online or join a class at a local yoga studio. Additionally, Headspace is a popular app for beginners.
We cannot overstate the benefits of exercise. Whether lifting weights, running, swimming or doing yoga. Physical activity can improve all aspects of your life, including how you run your business.
Regular exercise can affect your performance in several ways. You will have more energy, which will increase productivity. It can also help you sleep better, so you wake up in the morning feeling rejuvenated.
Research has shown that exercise can improve brain health. It may improve memory and protect against mood disorders such as anxiety. So, one feels relaxed and mentally sharp at the same time. The benefits of exercise are clear. But a common challenge is that you may be tempted to skip the gym after a long day at work.
You’re much more likely to skip it once you settle into the couch and turn on the TV. For an extra boost, consider an energy supplement. The problem is that most of these will not be healthy for consumption and will be full of artificial ingredients. But the Naked Nutrition brand offers a natural pre-workout supplement with no artificial sweeteners, flavors or color and is third-party tested. He is also certified vegan.
This way, you can get that extra motivation needed to get to the gym, which is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health.
Last but not least, try to improve the quality of your diet as much as possible. We all know that we should have a balanced diet. We should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, high-quality proteins, and healthy fats.
But it’s not just what you eat, it’s also what you avoid. When you are busy running your business, sometimes it is too easy and tempting to visit the fast food restaurant.
When you don’t have access to your kitchen, high-quality snacks can be very helpful in avoiding processed and unhealthy foods. They can help satisfy your hunger or cravings, and hold you over until you get home. But most quick snacks are unhealthy, even if that’s how they are advertised. A simple tip to start chopping better is to count the ingredients and read them. Generally, less is better and chemical sounding names like Isomalto-Oligosaccharides along with unhealthy palm oil are a good indicator that the protein bar or snack is not as healthy as advertised.
Intermittent fasting is the practice of doing “mini-fasts” each day, or in chunks throughout the week.
For example, some people do a sixteen-eight routine. They eat all their meals within an eight-hour window each day. And they only drink water, tea or coffee (no milk or sugar) for the remaining sixteen hours. So maybe they eat all their meals between 1 PM and 9 PM. They then skip breakfast the next day and have lunch again at 1 PM. Others do an alternate day fast. They eat one day and fast the next day. This is a more advanced version of intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting is a relatively new trend in the Western world. But the concept of fasting has been around for centuries. For centuries, traditions around the world have used fasting for various therapeutic benefits.
While most people fast to lose weight, it can have some significant benefits for business owners. Studies have shown that it can increase brain performance in animals by generating new nerve cells. It can also help maintain stable blood sugar levels, meaning your energy levels won’t fluctuate throughout the day.
For entrepreneurs, another benefit of fasting is that it eliminates one or more meals that you now don’t have to worry about. It’s one less decision during the day, allowing you to focus on more productive tasks.
If you are new to intermittent fasting, it is best to start with a smaller fasting window. Maybe you only fast for 12 hours each day at first. You can increase your fasting time as your tolerance grows.
Some healthy choices can add significant value to your life as an entrepreneur. It will help you operate at an optimal level, both mentally and physically, so you can maximize your productivity.
Take some time today to plan how you can incorporate exercise, mindfulness, fasting, and natural supplements into your routine.
