Tips for balancing a side hustle and self-care

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Self-care is a critical part of overall wellness. However, when you’re trying to balance work, family, and a side hustle, self-care is usually one of the first things that fall by the wayside.

While it might seem like carving out me-time isn’t practical when you’re also trying to keep your side hustle going, that doesn’t have to be the case. Even small shifts in your routine can have a major impact.

If you want to balance your side hustle and self-care, here are some insights on how to get started.

 

Focus on Your Wellness Foundation

Self-care can take many forms, some of which are easier to fit into busy schedules – and are more effective – than others. If you don’t have much time to spare, focusing on health and wellness fundamentals is usually the best place to start.

For a strong foundation, begin by ensuring you get enough sleep. A typical adult needs around 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly. Just make sure that you factor in that it can take 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. That way, you head to bed at the right time.

Exercise is another crucial part of a strong foundation. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, along with two days of strength training. If long sessions don’t fit into your schedule, even 10-minute mini-workouts can work as long as you get your heart rate up quickly. So, don’t be afraid to break that 150 minutes up into shorter sessions, allowing you to fit it into your busy schedule.

Finally, make sure to eat a balanced diet. When you fuel your body correctly, you give it what it needs to stay energetic and healthy. Make sure to limit your added sugar and saturated fat intake. Then, build meals on a foundation of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Embrace Quick Stress-Busting Techniques

Stress isn’t good for the body, mind, or spirit, so learning simple techniques to reduce your stress levels is an intelligent move, particularly if you’re pressed for time. Usually, the easiest place to start is with a deep-breathing exercise. It’s something you can do nearly anywhere, and it only takes a minute or two to see results.

Taking a quick trip outside can help if you’re near nature. Whether it’s a spot in the backyard, a chair on a balcony, or a green space near your workplace, simply being outdoors could bring your stress levels down a bit.

If you have a chance, a quick stretch session can loosen tense muscles and help you maintain better posture moving forward, reducing pain created by poor ergonomics. Petting your cat or dog, making a hot cup of tea, or watching a funny animal video online might also decrease your stress levels.

 

Get Help Managing Your Side Hustle

When you start a side hustle, you usually take on the full responsibility of it alone. However, if your side hustle is starting to take off, that might not be practical long-term.

Luckily, there is a way to get a better work-life balance without having to slow down your side hustle’s growth. By bringing in freelancers or consultants, you can delegate tasks to skilled professionals specializing in a particular niche. Whether you need help with web design, content creation, social media marketing, or anything else, there’s probably a freelancer or consultant that can help.

If your business is expanding rapidly, you can also check out the various kinds of managed service providers (MSPs) available today. Whether you need assistance with technology, accounting, staffing, or another business area, you may be able to outsource the work to a specialty provider. That way, you’ll have more time to focus on self-care without sacrificing your burgeoning business.

Looking for more ways to grow your business the right way without sacrificing wellness? Consider WiserU’s LinkedIn training and services.

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Look to WiserU

WiserU provides LinkedIn and career training and services for individuals and organizations. Visit WiserU.com for details.

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