Author; Dr. India Presley-Boyd, DNP, APRN, owner of Wanderlust Concierge Healthcare 

What is self-care, and how can you incorporate it into your daily routine? 

I like to describe self-care as acts of kindness towards yourself to optimize your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. As women, we tend to take on roles that require us to care for many different people.

But, who takes care of us? 

Raise your hand if you’re a mom, a wife, or an entrepreneur. If you take on one of these tasks, you are already busy. But, if you start combining these tasks, chances are you’re spending more time taking care of others than yourself. The issue is that, at some point, you burn out and lose the ability to juggle your roles effectively. 

Here are 3 self-care tips for busy entrepreneurs to help you pace yourself.

1. Prioritize your sleep.

Sleep is an essential component of day-to-day functioning. When you don’t get adequate sleep, your body goes into a stressed state, putting you at a higher risk for long-term health complications. If you are struggling with sleep, try some sleep hygiene techniques.

·Put your phone down an hour before bed.

·Turn your TV off 30 minutes before bed or set a timer for your TV to shut off within a specified time frame.

·Avoid caffeine and high-sugar foods an hour before bed.

·Turn on meditation music or rain sound to help you sleep.

2. Engage in physical activity.

Exercising is a great way to manage stress and burn off excess energy throughout the day. Don’t worry! This does not mean you need to join a gym or make time for a fitness class, but a brisk walk in the morning or evening can be beneficial. If all else fails, be intentional with your step count for the day. Park your car further out at stores. If you sit at your desk

most of the day, make frequent trips to the bathroom, take regular walking breaks, or work in bursts of exercise throughout the day.

3. Make time for your favorite hobby.

I’m giving you permission- Go do the things that you enjoy! Maybe that is traveling or reading a good book. If you love gourmet meals, go to your favorite restaurant, or get a babysitter and go out for a night on the town with your friends. 

Carve out time once a month to focus on something that brings you joy and isn’t geared toward anyone else’s happiness. If your hobby happens to be what your business is centered around, find a way to indulge in that hobby without considering consumers. 

It’s time to put yourself first. 

Ultimately self-care can be whatever you want it to be, but do not let time constraints hold you back. Your self-care routine should be selfish and self-centered. It should be unapologetic. Do not feel guilty for putting your needs above everyone else. Remember that if you burn out, everything else falls apart, and incorporating self-care habits is much easier than recovering from burnout.

About Dr. India Presley-Boyd, DNP, APRN– India is a nurse practitioner and owner of Wanderlust Concierge Healthcare (WCH), located in Brandon, FL. India’s healthcare clinic specializes in wellness and weight loss services. She is passionate about helping others improve their lifestyle to optimize their health. Her practice model focuses on holistic care for the patient and high-quality healthcare outcomes through 24/7 direct access to the provider. India believes in educating and empowering her patients to make informed decisions regarding their health.