Hi Everyone, Tina here (+1 662 830 8246, info@nakedactives.com), we have our new second guest blogger, a wonderful person Lauren McGee. Very interesting article and got some tips from her on this lovely piece of educational content!

How to Balance Self-Care and a Side Hustle

When you're building your side hustle, self-care often comes last. You give up sleep or even eat fast food so that you can devote more attention to your work. Sadly, ignoring self-care not only affects productivity, but it can also cause harm to your long-term health.

There are many benefits of self-care, including improved self-esteem, physical health, relationships, and stress management. When you're building a side hustle, these benefits can help you work efficiently and create stronger relationships with clients. To help you establish a better self-care routine, we put together a few tips and tidbits of advice below.

Finding Work-Life Balance

Finding a healthy work-life balance helps you maintain positive relationships and get work done without sacrificing either.

Consider a few of these work-life balance tips:

• Delegate tasks: Use freelancers or consultants to handle writing, accounting, website development, and other tasks. Software automations also save time.
• Schedule work: Schedule work time so your side hustle doesn't consume your life. Have a set start and stop time.
• Prioritize tasks: Focus on the most important tasks to get more out of work time. There are numerous methods worth trying such as tackling all of the hardest tasks first, separate smaller tasks from larger ones, or try the Eisenhower Matrix or Ivy Lee Method.
• Set boundaries: Don't allow clients to cross boundaries that infringe on family time. Know your non-negotiables with business and family to set clear lines of demarcation.
• Have a separate workspace: Create an organized workspace that lets you keep work and family time distinct. Having it in a room where you can close the door on work is ideal.

Other Tips for Self-Care

Beyond work-life balance, there are many other ways to practice self-care with a side hustle. Here are some ideas:

Sleep

For adults, the ideal amount of sleep each night is seven hours according to the CDC. A side hustle claims a lot of your free time, and you might be tempted to stay up late to work on it. Prioritize sleep to stay healthy and give yourself more energy to work productively.

Exercise

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes weekly of moderately intense exercise. If you exercise vigorously, the recommended weekly time drops to 75 minutes. Find breaks in your schedule to crank out an intense workout to get the benefits and have time for your side hustle.

Eat Well

Fuel your side hustle work with healthy food that gives you energy and improves your health. Meal prepping and having ready-to-eat healthy snacks on hand make it easier. Stay hydrated by always having a water bottle handy.

Take Care of Your Skin

Skincare is an important component of self-care for a variety of reasons. For one, it can help to improve your complexion and give you a healthy glow. In addition, it can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skincare is also important for protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun and other environmental factors. If you work long hours, skincare can be especially important in preventing premature aging. Find a simple regimen that works for you, and incorporate it into your morning and bedtime routines.

Say No

Instead of accepting every invitation or business opportunity, analyze each offer carefully. Accept only the offers that bring you happiness, fulfillment, or work opportunities you want to pursue.

Manage Stress

Everyone has stress, but working full-time and having a side hustle can increase that stress. According to the American Psychological Association, work is a source of stress for 64% of employed adults. Money is also a source of stress for 64% of adults. Find effective stress management techniques such as meditating, exercising, doing breathing exercises, spending time with friends, or counseling if it would help to talk to a therapist.

Work with a Counselor

If you find yourself feeling constantly overwhelmed or unable to cope with stress, it may be time to seek help from a therapist. A therapist can provide you with tools and strategies for managing stress, and can also help you to identify the root cause of your stress. These days, there are also online options for therapy, which can be convenient and affordable. Not everyone can break away for an in-person session, so turning to virtual therapy is a wonderful alternative. If you’re not sure where to look, seek out platforms that offer online therapy with same-day appointments. With virtual therapy, you can meet with your therapist at home or on the go.

Maintain Self-Care

Incorporating self-care into your routine works to ensure you stay healthier and more productive. So delegate what you can, and make sleep and healthy eating a priority. Take the time to care for your skin, incorporate more exercise into your life, and find ways to manage stress by talking to friends or seeing a therapist. By taking these steps, you can pave the way to help your side hustle grow quickly and your success. Follow these tips to heart to bloom into your best self, both in life and your career. You and those around you will be all the better for it!

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