Entrepreneurship is hard work.
Building a successful business takes drive, dedication, and a lot of late nights.
But scaling a business and staying healthy? Now that’s a different story.
Too many founders find themselves completely neglecting their wellbeing while they hustle to get their companies to the next level.
And while ignoring your health may seem like a necessary sacrifice on the road to success…
It doesn’t go unpunished for long.
If you push yourself too hard for too long, eventually something will break.
And when you take your eye off your own health, your business feels it as well.
In this guide, we’re going to cover exactly how to prioritize your wellbeing as an entrepreneur. No fluffy, feel-good nonsense here. Just practical, actionable strategies to keep yourself in peak shape.
What You’ll Learn
- The unique challenges entrepreneurs face that put them at a greater risk for health issues and burnout
- Why sacrificing self-care is a slippery slope you don’t want to start sliding down
- Self-care strategies that work when you’re juggling a million things
- Covering your team with small business health insurance
The Unique Challenges Entrepreneurs Face
The statistics around founder health are frankly terrifying.
A 2024 study found that 53% of founders suffered from burnout. Yikes. Over half of all entrepreneurs run their businesses on empty. And this is a problem that’s only getting worse.
So what’s causing all of this?
Entrepreneurs have pressures and stressors that 9-5 employees just don’t. The buck stops with you. Cash flow issues haunt you day and night. You’re expected to wear 10 different hats at once.
And don’t get us started on the modern founder’s relationship with technology…
Did you know most entrepreneurs work 60+ hours per week? The line between work and life gets completely blurred until it no longer exists. On top of the financial and performance pressures…
You’ve got a ticking time bomb.
The good news? Knowing this puts you in the unique position to protect your health while building your business. Smart founders get small business health insurance through a provider like Taylor Benefits to keep both themselves and their teams covered. When every employee has access to health care, your whole company benefits.
To make matters worse, entrepreneurs suffer from loneliness and isolation.
You may think having coworkers solves this issue, but when you’re the boss, it’s not the same. There’s no one you can really let your hair down with. No coworkers that really understand what you’re going through. This only compounds the stress and frustration you’re already under.
Entrepreneurs burn themselves out at an astonishing rate.
The industry needs to change.
The Slippery Slope of Sacrificing Self-Care
You’re busy. We get it. But hear us out on this…
Burnout doesn’t just affect you. It damages your business.
Tired, exhausted entrepreneurs make mistakes. They miss opportunities. They lose focus and their edge.
When your health takes a nosedive, everything grinds to a halt. Emergencies don’t wait for convenient times. Recovery can take weeks, months, even years if you don’t build the right support systems. Your business can’t function if your face isn’t firmly planted in it 100% of the time.
Employees model what you do, not what you say.
If you’re a total workaholic who never takes a day off, chances are neither is your team. A founder that prioritizes self-care creates a culture of wellbeing that bleeds into the entire company.
Make self-care part of your strategy, not an afterthought or a luxury.
Self-Care Strategies That Work for Founders
Self-care for entrepreneurs is a bit different from what you see in magazines.
Bubble baths and meditation apps aren’t going to cut it when you’re juggling a million responsibilities.
What you need are sustainable systems that protect your health in the long run. Here’s what that looks like…
Non-Negotiable Boundaries
Pick a time when work ends for the day. Shut it off. No cheating. All those Slack messages and emails can wait. The business won’t fall apart without you for a few hours.
It’ll feel weird at first. That’s normal. Push through it.
Delegate. Now.
Entrepreneurs are notorious for waiting way too long to start delegating. The lie we tell ourselves is that no one can do it as well as we can. The truth is this is a trap.
The best time to start handing things off is now. Pick one thing you can remove yourself from this week and do it. Don’t let it sit until you’re on fire and burnout is the only solution.
Sleep is your best friend.
Ever heard the term “hustle culture?” Yeah, this is it. Sleeping less than you need is a badge of honour. It’s a stupid way to think but entrepreneurs do it all the time.
Stop it.
Your body needs 7-8 hours. Make it sacred. Guard your sleep schedule like a watched briefing. Rest is when your brain recovers and resets. No sleep, no peak performance.
Move your body
Moving your body is one of the easiest things you can do for your mental health. It reduces stress, boosts focus, and energizes you.
And it doesn’t have to be anything crazy. A 20-minute walk around the block is enough.
Schedule a quick workout into your day. Make it a non-negotiable.
Create a support network
Entrepreneurs are hard-wired for loneliness. It’s part of the gig. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence.
Build a network of like-minded people that you can vent to. Join a mastermind group. Find a mentor that’s walked the path. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who get it. Your mental health is just as important as your physical.
Small Business Health Insurance
Entrepreneurs aren’t the only ones who need to practice self-care. Your team does as well.
Something that might surprise you is just how few small businesses offer health insurance.
In 2024, only 53% of small businesses offered health coverage to employees. Nearly half of small business employees had zero employer-sponsored health coverage.
This has a cascading effect on many levels.
Employees without coverage are more stressed out. They put off medical care, letting small things fester into big ones. Productivity tanks. Turnover increases.
Investing in health insurance for your team is one of the best moves you can make. It shows you care. It attracts talent in a competitive market. It improves retention.
Benefits of Offering Coverage
- Attracts more talent in competitive markets
- Retains your best people
- Shows you care about your team’s health
- Boosts employee productivity and morale
Make sure to start shopping for coverage early. Even if your team is small now. Start small and scale as you grow. Your employees will thank you.
It’s About Sustainable Systems
Self-care doesn’t have to be at odds with your business growth.
Quite the opposite, in fact. When you invest in yourself and your team, you have more energy to put back into your company.
Think of it as investing in yourself and your team for long-term gains.
The key? Systems that are sustainable.
Hitting the gym twice and eating salads for a week won’t make up for months of neglect. Your body and mind don’t work that way. The same is true in business.
Pick one thing from this guide and implement it this week. Then, once it becomes automatic, pick another. Consistency is key. Small steps add up over time.
One last thing…
Remember that your business can’t operate at its best without you. And you can’t operate at your best if you’re not taking care of yourself.
Wrapping Up
Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint.
Protecting your health while scaling your business is not an optional luxury. It’s a necessity for any founder that wants to be around for the long run.
The data is clear. Burnout among entrepreneurs is at an all-time high. Don’t be another grim statistic.
Your action plan:
- Set strict boundaries between work and personal life
- Prioritize sleep, movement, and mental health
- Delegate now, not later
- Get health coverage for yourself and your team
- Build connections with other entrepreneurs
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation everything else is built on.