Entrepreneurship can be likened to the honeymoon stages of a new relationship. It can be an exhilarating time where every waking thought is consumed by your new venture, where you’re overwhelmed with grand ideas and possibilities for the future.
There is so much excitement, self-discovery and fulfillment on the horizon, which can lead you feeling giddy, nervous and ecstatic all at once. Like any new relationship, a start-up business can be an extreme labour of love, which requires substantial time, effort, dedication and hard work to perfect our products, optimise our services, understand our market and improve our business practices. We will do whatever is required to get our venture successfully up and running, whether it be putting in hundreds of hours of unpaid overtime, working multiple jobs in different industries and wearing all the hats at our start-up.
Entrepreneurship is so rewarding, but the early stages can be emotionally, physically, intellectually and financially taxing, especially for first-timers. When establishing Original Vitamins with my co-founders Johannes Raadmsa and Jordan Glickman, I was thrown in the deep end, forced to learn new skills and information outside my area of expertise and apply my previous knowledge to new and daunting situations. Truthfully, it can at times be an uncomfortable journey, and all the high-pressure meetings, pitches to investors, financial stress, all-nighters and long, unsociable hours can take a negative toll on our wellbeing.
We must strive for a healthy work-life balance, or else we can’t perform at our peak and reach our true business potential. Here are some tips and things to staying healthy during the hectic start-up phase.
We are what we eat
Usually, a balanced diet is the first thing that is neglected by time-poor, ambitious professionals with too much on their plate. Our body is a highly complex machine which requires sufficient intake of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to function properly. Monitor your intake of junk food like alcohol, caffeine, trans fats and sugar.
All nighters, lack of proper lunch breaks, stress-eating and the takeaway food convenience factor are fine every once in a while, but ensure you are aware of your eating habits and make time to meal prep healthy, nutritious dishes and opt for healthier snacks to fuel your body. A good rule of thumb is to fill your plate with a rainbow of different coloured fresh fruit and vegetables, which will ensure you consume an essential range of vitamins and nutrients.
Keep active
Exercising regularly is scientifically proven to benefit all aspects of your health and reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers, to name a few. In addition to burning calories, keeping you in good physical shape and strengthening muscles, exercise releases endorphins like serotonin, which reduces the brain’s perception of pain and elicits feelings of happiness.
Whether you enjoy exercising solo or in a group, either socially or in a competitive environment, ensure you schedule some time out for yourself to move your body. If you find it hard to stay motivated and commit to regular exercise, team up with a friend to keep each other accountable and find something you both enjoy doing. Book personal training sessions and treat it like any other meeting or committment, so you’re less inclined to cancel.
Don’t lose sleep over it
Most adults need at least eight hours of quality sleep per night to function adequately, and no amount of coffee or energy drink is ever a suitable substitute. Sleep is more than just the chance for us to switch off and rest. While we sleep, our body is able to perform many important functions like cell growth, tissue repair, and gives our body an opportunity to health from illness and injury.
It is also the time our brain uses to consolidate information acquired throughout the day, which is then filed away so we can remember and access it later. Lack of sleep is dangerous for our minds and bodies, increasing the risk of lifestyle diseases, reducing mental capacity, impairing judgement, and preventing us from feeling our best. Entrepreneurs need adequate sleep to do their job effectively and give their business the best chance of succeeding.
It’s safe to say that entrepreneurship is an extremely rewarding, albeit tumultuous journey. At times, we can be blinded by our ambition, passion, goals and dreams for the future, at the expense of our own health and wellbeing. We must strive for optimal health so we can manage our businesses effectively, inspire our employees and maintain a healthy work-life balance, so we can appreciate and enjoy our wins and successes.
Robert Steer, Co-founder, Original Vitamins
