Moneymagpie

When I worked at the BBC I had a structure to my working day, defined by other people.  I had to turn up to work on time, the rest of the day was dictated by what I had on, but more importantly I had the structure of working within a team.

Fitness was important to me, and a great stress reliever, so I went running two or three times a week when I was in the office and most days while out filming.  Running kit doesn’t take up much space, and running itself relieves stress, lets your body unfurl after a long drive, flight, filming day cooped up in the back of a van, and gives you time to think.

The great thing was I had an abundance of running partners, including a couple of lovely guide dogs I used to take out because they looked so bored lying on the office floor all day.

Now I work at home and there is no team structure.  So even though I’m great at hauling myself out of bed and getting on with the work side of running my own business, my self discipline when it comes to looking after myself was all but out the window and forgotten after about six months of starting the business.

I stopped exercising, cooking properly, taking time off for myself and haven’t had a proper holiday in nearly two and a half years.  None of that bodes well for my current or future wellbeing and it certainly doesn’t do your business any good either!

I always intended to exercise, eat healthy food and spend time with my friends but slowly I just stopped doing all of it.  I put on weight, became lethargic, depressed and everything suffered.

So here are my top tips for staying healthy while you’re working on conquering the world.

Stop saying you don’t have the time!

How many times have you said to yourself or others, I don’t have time to: cook, exercise, see friends, go out for dinner, walk the dog., because I have to: do my cashflow, tweak my SEO, pay the bills, update the website.  Trust me, you have the time.  We all have deadlines, but if you really have got to the stage where you’re getting so overwhelmed that you can’t stop working or thinking about work the chances are you’re not being very productive and that state of mind is a sure sign of stress.  The bad kind!

Get a Freezer!

Sounds simple but it really makes a difference.  My downfall is that I don’t plan well for dinners, can’t be bothered to cook when I get hungry and end up eating rubbish.  But I love food.  So I spend one whole Sunday every couple of months having a cook up.  No complaining in the back, that’s only six times a year!

I plan menus, go shopping then spend the day listening to the radio, holed up in the kitchen cooking a variety of meals, labeling the containers (very important!) and freezing meals.  All I have to do then is keep the fresh fruit and veg topped up, get something out of the freezer for dinner that’s healthy, because I know what’s in it, and I don’t have to think about it, stick it in the oven, pan or microwave, steam some veg and Bob’s your uncle.

Not only that but cooking is another great way to relax and switch your brain off from work.

Get some exercise.

Even if all you do is go for a walk.  The impact on your mind and body is invigorating to say the least.  I carry a little notebook around to jot down ideas but mostly I just walk and think or listen to music.  I live by the sea, it’s glorious but I love walking around cities too, especially London.  It really helps clear your mind.  Just do half an hour, you’ll be gobsmacked at how much energy you get from it and how clear your mind will become.  Sounds happy clappy but it works!

See your friends.

They might have forgotten what your ugly mug looks like by now.  Venture out, go for dinner, to a film or play.  Just go to the pub for a well earned pint or for a paddle in the sea.  I’m always surprised at what’s going on in my friend’s lives, it’s never what you think, and a good gossip has proven health benefits, as does laughing.  It’s a minor medical miracle and it’s free!

The jobs aren’t going away and you won’t go under because you made a nice meal or went for a swim or, God forbid, had a cheeky weekend away with your other half and actually enjoyed yourself.  The world will keep turning, the sun will rise and set, and your SEO will wait an hour.