Setting up a new business can be a lengthy process. Sometimes, it can take a few days, depending on what you need to get started; for others, it’s four to six weeks; for some, it can take months, especially if you are opening a restaurant, warehouse manufacturing facility, etc.
From registering your business new, filling in an irs form ss4, and gaining the appropriate permits and registrations, there is much to consider to get you up and running. It makes sense that you will be burning the candle at both ends to ensure your new venture round smoothly and has the best start. But what about you? If you give everything you have to get up and running, what will keep you up and running?
Neglecting your health might seem like it comes as part and parcel of opening a new business, but allowing yourself to be run into the ground can also impact how well and how easily you get ready for opening day. You need to be at your best at all times; you can expect to run off caffeine and adrenaline alone.
This looks deeper into protecting your physical and mental health in the run-up to opening a new business.
Set Cut Off Times
If you allow it to, your new business will be all-consuming. From the moment you open your eyes to the moment you close them and even in your dreams. Don’t allow it to be everything. Draw a line and have a cut-off point. Be it from 9 pm until 7 am the following morning, it doesn’t matter as long as you take some time to move away and allow your brain to focus on something else instead of the business.
Eat Well and Hydrate
While you might feel too busy to eat, relying on grabbing a quick snack on fast food will take its toll on your health and leave you feeling sluggish. Look for meals that can give you a more balanced, healthier option, grab a salad occasionally, and snack on fruits and nuts to help you keep your energy levels up. Even drinking a protein drink will help you out and is preferable to snacking on junk foods and sugars.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day and stay hydrated. If you become dehydrated, you will notice impaired cognitive function, lower energy levels, decreased concentration ability, and more.
Sleep
You need to prioritize sleep, Don’t take the phone or laptop to bed. Make sure to sleep when you go to bed and aim to get a minimum of 7 hours; if you can’t, focus on improving your sleep quality, getting enough deep and REM sleep. A lack of sleep can have massive consequences on your health, and sleep deprivation can lead to mistakes, poor decision-making, irritability, cognitive impairments, weight gain, and an increased risk of becoming ill and running down. So even if you struggle to make time for yourself, prioritize sleep to support your well-being.
Running a business isn’t easy; the initial setting up stage can be even more complex and intense than any other part of the journey. But by taking care of yourself, you can ensure you are in the best position to push forward and make this a success.