Superwomen need self-care too.
By Guest Blogger Ellisa Brown
All women consistently maintain multiple titles: Mom, Daughter, Business Woman, Employee, Entrepreneur, or Caretaker. Take your pick.
I like to call myself a professional multitasker because, at any given time, I play at least three roles simultaneously. The most overwhelming tend to be my duties as a ‘Boss’.
I have learned being a woman and running a business can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it can also be incredibly demanding and stressful. As a result, often, my own self-care gets kicked to the back burner.
But success in your career is inseparable from your ability to prioritize your own self-care, health, and wellness. After all, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” as the old folks say.
Benefits of Self Care
Don’t believe me? Let me name the benefits of self-care:
- Reduce Stress: Running a business or managing a team can be incredibly stressful. If you add the pressure of other people’s livelihood depending on your profits, you have a pot constantly boiling on high.
Self-care practices like meditation, yoga, exercise, or simply taking time to unwind can help you reduce stress, feel more grounded and think clearly.
- Boost Productivity: When you care for your physical and mental health, you’re better equipped to tackle the challenges. Studies have shown that people who prioritize self-care are more productive and engaged at work, which can translate to better business outcomes.
- Improve Decision-Making: When you’re tired or stressed, it’s easy to make impulsive or reactive decisions that aren’t in the best interest of your business. Taking care of your mental and physical health can help you stay focused and make better decisions.
- Set an Example: As a ‘Boss,’ you set the tone for your workplace culture. By prioritizing self-care and wellness, you can encourage your team members to do the same. This can create a more positive and supportive workplace environment.
- Prevent Burnout: Burnout is real. You can run out of steam to pursue your passions if you run yourself into the ground. By prioritizing self-care, you can help prevent burnout and ensure that you pursue your purpose in the long term. The race isn’t given to the swift but to those who endure.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
— Unknown
Make Space for Yourself
So, I sold you, right? Now, how to make self-care a reality in your daily life? No worries, here are some tips:
- Schedule Self-Care: Just like you schedule meetings and appointments, schedule time for self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or a relaxing hobby.
- Set Boundaries: It’s easy to let work bleed into your personal life when you’re a boss. Set boundaries around work hours and make time for your personal life.
- Delegate: Delegating tasks and responsibilities to others can help lighten your workload and free up time for self-care.
- Seek Support: Being a ‘Boss’ can be isolating. Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist to help manage stress and maintain your mental health.
- Take Breaks Regularly: Don’t be afraid to take “me time” throughout the day. Even a five-minute break to stretch or walk outside can help you feel more refreshed and focused.
You know how they say, “Try Jesus”? Well, try self-care. You won’t regret it.
Meet Ellisa Brown!
Ellisa Brown is a Texas native and professional multitasker. As an innate storyteller, wordsmith, and results-driven cross-channel communicator, Ellisa continually pursues her purpose.
Ellisa’s current projects are as varied as they are exciting and impactful: In her role as the Founder of Civic Essentials Education Fund, Ellisa is committed to innovating traditional civic education by building a practical, engaging, and experience-based civics education curriculum.
In her “spare time,” Ellisa is also the author of Meet Cairo, the first in a series of books on her fun-loving, stubborn puppy Cairo. Join them on their adventures by following @cairothecocoyorkie on Instagram.
With her bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in Political Science and her master’s degree from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris in Politics and Public Policy, it should be no surprise that Ellisa occasionally dabbles in the political scene.
