Whether you plan to turn your side hustle into your career or simply want to make some extra cash, the truth is that, while rewarding, side gigs can be exhausting. Though you may already operate on a tight schedule, it’s important that you find time for self-care. Below are a few reasons why followed by the best self-care activities for your schedule and well-being.
The Importance of Self-Care
The term “self-care” and the dozens of others associated with it — including “self-love,” “self-compassion” and “wellness” — seem to be everywhere these days. Because of its prevalence, you may be tempted to write self-care off as another passing fad. Don’t, as it does have notable benefits:
- Enhanced focus
- Better stress management
- Boosted sleep
- Increased confidence
- Improved relationships
- Heightened immunity
Each of these benefits can lead to better health and greater satisfaction in life. They can also help energize you and allow you to tackle your side hustle with the vigor and attention it deserves.
Stand-Alone Self-Care Activities
In your self-care journey, you will discover that there are stand-alone self-care activities, which you will do in your free time to improve your mental health, and then there are your habitual self-care activities. You can learn more about habitual self-care behaviors below but first, check out these beneficial stand-alone tricks:
- Meditation: Meditation is one of the most effective forms of self-care, as it can improve your resilience to stress, increase your compassion, help your focus and boost your mental health, among other benefits. Practice meditating for just 10 minutes a day to notice a difference.
- Work out: Studies show that exercise can boost your productivity and improve your focus, both of which you will need to make the most of your new gig.
- Sleep: Sleep is inarguably the most important form of self-care in which you can engage. According to LiveWell, adequate sleep — which is between nine to 10 hours per night for adults — can boost immunity, undo stress-induced damage, increase daily energy levels and improve memory.
Habitual Self-Care Activities
People who truly value self-care make it part of their daily lives. What does that look like, you may wonder? Below are a few examples of how you can make self-compassion a normal way of life:
- Enlist help: If you plan to grow your side hustle into a business, anticipate hiring help sooner rather than later. Doing so can help you relieve stress and free up time to focus on your business. For instance, if you plan to register LLC California, use a formation service. A formation service can help you navigate the ins and outs of state laws while avoiding hefty lawyer fees.
- Set boundaries: Remain firm on what work you will and will not take on. Also, never allow yourself to choose work over something more important, such as eating lunch or spending time with family. Finally, have strict start and stop times for your side hustle to prevent it from consuming your every free moment.
- Be selfish: Know that it’s okay to say no to things you do not want or have to do. If work becomes too much, walk away for a couple of minutes, hours, or days. Learn to be selfish with your time so that when people or projects demand it, only your best self shows up.
Balancing work, life and a side job will not be easy. However, by making time for self-care, you may find that you were born for the hustle. Don’t forget to take care of your personal relationships while you’re at it! See how Couples Connection San Diego can help.
Guest author Shelia Johnson from Well Sheila.