How to feel less tired while running a business
Don’t succumb to the 3pm slump.
Tiredness is a commonly cited problem for those running their own business, and little wonder. When you have to be the boss, the HR manager, the marketing whiz and the master of payroll there’s often little time left for relaxing and getting some kip. When you’re not in the office your mind is packed with a million work problems that need sorting out – and that’s before you have to deal with the school run, the leaky tap and visiting the in-laws. It can all leave you feeling so drained.
Many gurus have come up with radical ways to cope with being drowsy, but there’s no need to start putting yak butter in your morning brew or become a master of Ashtanga yoga. There are some simple things you can do to keep your mind and body energised. There’s nothing radical here, it’s mainly about sleep, diet and exercise, but the real challenge is keeping it up – and not denying yourself rest on the grounds you are too busy. If you burn yourself out then your business will be in big trouble.
1. GET ENOUGH QUALITY SLEEP
It’s an obvious one but you need to get the right amount of high quality sleep if you don’t want to go to work feeling exhausted. You might want to invest in blackout blinds or ear plugs, suggests business coach Gemma McCrae, and keep your bedroom’s temperature below 21 degrees. ‘Don’t look at electronics before you go to sleep and avoid alcohol.’
2. EAT THE RIGHT KINDS OF ENERGY
Your diet can leave you feeling lethargic or give you a welcome kick of energy. Try to eat quality fats and proteins like nuts, oily fish, spinach and eggs, suggests McCrae. And ditch the big portions of stodgy carbs. ‘I avoid big heavy meals at lunchtime in particular, because they make me feel sluggish and tired in the afternoon,’ says Biggins.
3. GET MOVING
Exercise gets your blood pumping and also helps you get to sleep. McCrae suggests it’s best to get active before work. ‘Richard Branson says it’s the most important thing he does to keep his energy levels up. It wakes you up, it gets your endorphins going and will give you energy for the rest of the day.
4. MAKE YOUR WORK LESS DRAINING
There are many things at work that can drain your energy away – try to minimise these if you can’t get rid of them altogether. ‘Anything that stresses you is going to drain you of energy,’ says McCrae. ‘Identify what causes you to be stressed out and establish what you can do to manage that stress level – like delegating that job to somebody else, or not seeing a particular person.’ Outsource difficult tasks that leave you in despair and, if you can afford it, then hiring someone to manage your diary and other tasks can make a big difference.
Image source: Daisuke Tashiro/Flickr
