Finding time to relax whilst running a business - Bodhi Aspirations
We caught up with our lovely member Bodhini from Bodhi Aspirations to ask for her perspective on how to find time to relax whilst running a business.
Finding time to rest and run a business. Can it be done? It needs to be done! You actually cannot afford to not rest and most of us have to learn this the hard way.
Running a business is a responsibility. Many clients or staff may depend on us. Our income supports our families and lifestyles. This is all a given, but our quality of life is also important. Our health, our relationships, our passions and dreams all need nurturing. I am sure that we have all heard the saying that "you can't pour from any empty cup". It is true, you absolutely can't, but yet we will still try and squeeze ourselves dry of energy and inner resources anyway.
Why?
When you are sick, irritable and stressed, do you make better business decisions? Nope. When you can't concentrate on the task in hand, can't sleep at night and are feeling totally exhausted, can you honestly say that you are content with life, no matter how much money you might be making? I doubt it. We have been conditioned to believe that "time is money" and that we have to be delivering content or services every day to be successful.
In a recent Instagram poll, I asked people why they don't make time to relax. The most popular answer being: Guilt. The need (or the pressure) to be productive overrides the need to be healthy and happy? A feeling that there is always something more important to do than rest. That rest is somehow unproductive and lazy.
I don't know about you, but when I started my business it was to improve the quality of my life, my family's life and those to whom I provide wellbeing services. I did not sign up to feel pressured to run after every pound, to miss special family events and end up feeling exhausted and unfulfilled and yet this is exactly what happened. I too, felt guilty if I stopped, if I missed a phone call and a client went elsewhere, if I couldn't provide an appointment on the day they wanted. I did not rest. I was tired, irritable, making bad decisions and feeling very unhappy.
However, being that I have always worked in the wellness industry and led a very holistic lifestyle, I recognised that something wasn't right. I could see the signs that change was required.
Firstly, I began by designating time to relax EVERY SINGLE DAY. I put it in my schedule and it is non-negotiable. It does not move. It may vary from day to day. Some days it might only be 30 minutes, which to some people might seem like a lot, but actually how often do you scroll through your phone for half an hour, read the newspaper or watch TV? Half an hour of relaxation is actually not difficult to put into our day and no, whilst you are asleep does not count.
Sometimes I put the half an hour in at the start of the day before I begin work, sometimes it might be after lunch to break up the day or it may even be once I have finished work later in the evening. Look at your schedule and see where it could possibly work for you. Even 10 minutes here and there throughout the day can make a difference.
So, what does count as relaxation if it doesn't count sleep?
Relaxation is proper rest with preferably reduced stimulation. So, scrolling, watching TV, reading or listening to anything informative or emotionally / mentally stimulating is technically not restful or relaxing.
Suggested ways to rest and relax could be:
Sitting outside and watching the clouds and listening to the birds.
Going for a walk with no particular destination just walking slowly at a relaxed pace and enjoying the route however it arises.
Having a lay down and listening to relaxing, instrumental music.
Meditation, breathing exercises, practicing gentle, restorative yoga poses
Something fun which has no agenda or goal other than to simply be fun e.g. dancing or singing (probably better for those who work from home)
Any of these things can be done in ten minutes but a longer amount of time will bring more benefits especially if you are someone who does not find it easy to relax quickly.
Also, do not be afraid to say NO. As business owners, we tend to over- adapt, over- give and over-accommodate. We need to have boundaries and put ourselves first sometimes, after all, there is no business without us. Nothing should come at the expense of our own wellbeing.
Having a business has its ups and downs, Its pros and cons, and most of us work for ourselves because we love what we do and we want to do it well. A sense of purpose can drive us to do too much. So just take some time now and again to check in with yourself and see how you are doing. Regularly review your rest and recreation time. Make sure you do actually relax at least for a short time each day.
Our business should be a complement to our life, something that brings nourishment and fulfilment. Life is too short and our time here is too precious for it to be anything else. Put yourself and your well-being first.
Your body and your business will thank you for it and maybe even your family and co-workers might thank you for it -it's not much fun to be around irritable people after all :)
Love Bodhini x