Ah, January. The holidays are over, the new year buzz has worn off and the winter blues are setting in. Sometimes we can get carried away with resolutions and our expectations of ourselves in the new year but that just leads to lowered productivity or even burnout.
Contents
- So, how are you nourishing yourself right now, as a business owner? Here are 5 ways to beat the winter blues:
- Move your body
- Prioritise sleep
- Hydrate
- Get Out and Connect With Others
- Try Something New
- Your business relies on you to be at your best, so taking care of your business means taking care of yourself too.
So, how are you nourishing yourself right now, as a business owner? Here are 5 ways to beat the winter blues:
Move your body
Whether it’s hot yoga (to warm your bones) or swimming or a dance class, aim to move your body at least 30 minutes everyday to get the blood flowing again. Even better if you can get outside for a walk. If you live somewhere where it gets dark early this time of year, (like it is here in Nottingham, England) getting daylight can benefit your mood, energy and sleep.
Prioritise sleep
It’s totally okay to hibernate. Aim to get 7-8 hours every night and turning off all electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime for good, solid rest.
I recommend the book “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker. Written by a scientist, this book argues that sleep is more important for our health than diet or exercise. If you’ve been relying on coffee and energy drinks to get you through sleep-deprived days, this book will motivate you to scrap all of that, simplify and get to bed earlier.
Hydrate
Drink more water than you think you need. The amounts recommended vary – 8 glasses is apparently what we should aim for. But how big are those glasses?! Most advice suggests at least half a gallon a day not including caffeinated drinks which dehydrate you.
Being dehydrated has an impact on your health in more ways than you might realise. Up your intake and see how much your energy and attention levels improve.
Do like our CEO Mary and start the morning off with a nice hot lemon water to flush and reset your digestive system daily.
Get Out and Connect With Others
As well as sleeping more, your mind and body needs social connections to ward off the winter blues. Reach out to a few business besties and invite them over for brunch. If that seems like too much effort, how about a cup of coffee at your favorite cafe? Whatever you do, don’t isolate yourself.
If you work from home, having a regular in-person meetup scheduled in your diary ensures you’re showering yourself regularly, changing out of pajamas and getting out of your routine, every now and again. You could even arrange to meet up and work in the same space as other solopreneurs together. Sometimes just being next to people you know makes all the difference in the world.
Try Something New
Whether it’s an art class or a yoga retreat, or learning a new skill – I challenge you to try something completely unexpected this month in your local city. Try meetup.com to find likeminded people meeting up nearby you!
You might be surprised by who you meet there or what new idea it sparks for you and your business by attending.
Your business relies on you to be at your best, so taking care of your business means taking care of yourself too.
Make 2019 your best year ever with advice, guidance and tips from the expert guests who feature in The Simplifiers Podcast. Find all out episodes HERE
