Self-Care Tips for the Sleep-Deprived Startup

Having your own startup is like being on an unending rollercoaster. You’re fueled by caffeine, ramen noodles, and pure passion to put your idea out there and have it do well. The 24six9 community can definitely relate, so buckle up as we share some tips that are universally acknowledged as being non-negotiables if you have a goal to achieve.

Stop Burning the Midnight Oil

This is a surefire way to lead you to early burnout, and hey, we get it. When you’ve got an idea and are ready to take over the world with it, sleep is the last thing on your mind. It’s this hustle that we love at 24six9, but we also love not snoozing during important investor meetings or being lethargic when it’s time to roll. Aim for 7-8 hours of shut-eye each night and treat it like a non-negotiable. Trust us, this tip is on the top of every self-care list for a reason.

Make moves (literally)

Exercise doesn't have to be a gym marathon. Make it a habit to add a brisk walk into your daily routine, and if you’re glued to a screen, set an alarm to get us and walk every 20 minutes. If that’s asking too much, just stretch out at your desk, do a few quick jumping jacks or do a round around your home. Anything that’ll get your blood pumping. This isn’t just a self-care tip, it’s to keep your brain sharp and your stress levels manageable.

Meditation as a Tool

This is not us being all new-age. Meditation as part of your daily routine is actually medically proven to help you feel centered, whether it’s breathing exercises or a quick wall squat. Every 10 minutes of meditation added to your day improves your focus. It's like mental weight training for your next entrepreneurial challenge.

Mind the Munchies

Sigh, you knew it was coming. A big self-care tip for being a busy startup is, unfortunately, to remove sugary donuts or greasy takeouts from your diet. Power your hustle with healthy, brain boosting foods like veggies, lean protein and even the occasional slice of avocado toast.

Unplug to Recharge

This might sound like a ridiculous notion to startups that are focused on that one goal, that one piece of code, or that one meeting to prepare for. But it has to happen. Make sure you’re scheduling regular digital detoxes to keep you composed, grounded and stress-free. It works, because it gets you out of the constant pressure of notification sounds and emails to answer, and preps you with more ideas for tackling your startup woes, of which we hope there are none.

Revisit Your Vision

Keep revisiting the reason why you started your startup journey in the first place. Reconnect with your passion and vision. We say this because it’s easy to forget what originally sparked your idea, once you’re caught in a loop of iterating, refining, and getting over new challenges daily. We’ve seen it happen.

Self-care is the ultimate power move when you’re a startup, and we’ve seen it proven time and time again. Just make sure you remember that the 24six9 community is always here to ensure your startup journey has the support it needs at ALL times.

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