Self-care Tips for the Millennial Entrepreneur

Being a millennial entrepreneur means lots of late nights and early mornings, but that can’t last long if you want to succeed. Today, we’re kicking off a self-care series for the creative entrepreneur and Holli Lapes, a Registered & Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist, is sharing 3 self-care tips you should be doing.

Walking this journey of going full-time in my side hustle has made me painfully aware of how I’ve been letting “myself” slip. You know what I mean, I’m missing gym dates, I’m up too late and then up too early, my eating isn’t great, and well, my health ends up suffering.

I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say my migraines have increased this year, I got sick more than usual, and overall, I’ve been feeling run down.

After thinking about my lack of self-care during this transition period, I started thinking about all my other creative entrepreneur friends, who suffer from the same thing.

It took me a while to remember this, but as an entrepreneur, it is important to invest in yourself. No matter how cliche it sounds, you can’t pour from an empty cup – you have to take care of yourself first.

Self-care Tips for the Millennial Entrepreneur
by Holli Lapes

Entrepreneurs have an incredible drive that has enabled them to lead a fast-paced life. This same drive can lead to overdrive wherein we forget to take care of ourselves. Today I will share some tips to help millennial entrepreneurs maintain their health so that they can stay well and be at their best when it matters. And for entrepreneurs, this means every day.

Take Care of Yourself First

Just as they say on an airplane, you must first help yourself before you can help others. In this case, you must first take care of yourself before taking care of your clients. Here are some ways to stay on top of your health:

Get blood work done at least twice per year. The basic CBC panel done by your doctor once per year just isn’t frequent enough and isn’t comprehensive enough. Seek out an integrative practitioner who is familiar with making sure their patients are at optimal health, not just meeting the minimum requirements.

Make sure you’re eating right with proper nutrition and a balanced diet. Entrepreneurs are on the go all the time and this can lead to eating whatever is most convenient, which doesn’t usually equal healthy. If you need help, make sure to seek out a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RD or RDN). A person who refers to themselves as a “health coach” usually doesn’t have a science degree from an accredited university.

Protect your eyes from the computer! It’s very likely that you spend hours upon hours looking at devices that emit blue light such as computer screens, smartphones, and tablets. This can strain on your eyes and even interrupt your sleeping patterns by interfering with your bodies natural production of melatonin.

Maximize On Your Flexibility

The flexibility you have to manage your own time enables you to make health care appointments a bit easier since you aren’t bound to your desk from 9 – 5. Still, if you’re not prioritizing your health, then it will fall on the backburner. Take the initiative to make sure your health comes first. As in other areas of your life and in your business especially, as an entrepreneur, don’t be afraid to say “no” so that you can put your health first.

Don’t Leave the Ball in Your Court

Let’s talk about mental health for a moment. Being a boss can lead to that “whole world on your shoulders” type of feeling. Although many entrepreneurs thrive under this type of responsibility, it can also lead to increased stress and cortisol production. Here’s a common scenario:

If you’re like me, then you just hate the feeling of unfinished business weighing on you when you’re trying to go about your day. Even during your downtime (wait, is there such a thing for entrepreneurs?), you probably find yourself thinking about those unanswered emails and pending blog posts. Setting an expectation with your client is the best way to save face and most importantly, keep your sanity. No matter the case – keeping your client in the know with project updates and anticipated completion dates helps your reliability and you’re being able to enjoy life.

Holli Lapes RD, LD/N

Holli Lapes, RD, LD/N is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist in South Florida. Holli is the founder of The South Florida Sage a food & drink blog featuring culinary experiences from the Miami, Broward and Palm Beach area.

The SoFla Sage | My Wellness RD

Do you have any self-care tips? I’d love to hear how you make yourself a priority!

xo,

Sianne

Self-care Tips for the Millennial Entrepreneur