Skipping Mental, Physical & Emotional Self-Care Costs More Than You Think

After working in corporate for 26 years, there was nothing more exciting than saying ‘I am an entrepreneur’ for the first time. And it is exciting, right? The crazy roller coaster of emotions, building something that is yours, and realizing that it’s midnight and you should probably call it a night. And that’s what entrepreneurs are celebrated for – their ‘hustle’, their ability to push through exhaustion, solve problems under pressure and wear a thousand hats at once. But, that same relentless drive that builds a business can quietly destroy the health of the person(s) running it. Ignoring self-care isn’t a sign of strength, it’s an uncalculated business risk. 

According to a 2023 Small-Business Labor Crisis Report, 42% of small-business owners say that they have experienced burnout in the past year. And on a larger scale, the World Health Organization reports that burnout costs the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity and turnover. For entrepreneurs, that cost is deeply personal. Every hour spent operating on empty translates into missed opportunities for growth. 

The signs of ignoring your self-care:

• Chronic stress reduces cognitive flexibility—the mental ability to quickly switch between concepts, tasks or ways of thinking 
• Fatigue impairs judgment, making you more likely to make impulsive decisions
• Emotional exhaustion often spills over into how we interact with those we love the most, not to mention our teammates. 

Translate all of this into financial terms and the compounding effect is staggering. A missed pitch because you’re unfocused. A marketing opportunity overlooked because you’re exhausted. It’s easy to overlook these micro-losses, but together, they can quietly erode your bottom line.

The ROI of Self-Care

Self-care doesn’t just prevent burnout—it creates measurable returns. You may be thinking that you know all of the above, and may be experiencing them now; and you may be asking yourself ‘Where will I find the time?’ But, the real question to ask yourself is ‘Why am I not making myself a priority?’

Even the smallest shifts can offer results you can see and feel; try one of these next week (don’t try to do them all at once, we all know that is a recipe for failure):

1. If it isn’t in your calendar it doesn’t exist. So, yes, you must schedule your workouts. Seeing it as a tangible meeting tells your entrepreneur brain that you must accomplish it – and you will! Regular exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural stress relievers, which helps lower cortisol, which lowers inflammation….which contributes a multitude of benefits to your overall health. 
2. While you are in your calendar, also set up five minutes in the morning and at night for mental breaks. Whether you like to meditate, breathe deeply, or listen to your favorite ‘chill’ playlist and close your eyes. This simple practice can reduce stress and help quiet your mind, resulting in more clarity, and improved focus. 
3. One night a week (that’s right, put it on your calendar!), put your phone in another room and do something you love. It can be as small as playing a musical instrument, teaching your dog a new trick, meeting friends for happy hour, or having a date night with your partner. These activities release oxytocin - aka the love hormone - which increase feelings of safety, empathy and connection. It also lowers your body’s stress response, helping you have a calmer, more focused mindset. 
4. One last thing to put on your calendar (I know, I know!) is your skincare routine. This isn’t about vanity, it’s about the health of your skin. As you mature, your skin barrier naturally starts to degrade, and if you are using the same products at 40 that you used at 30, you may not be getting the same benefits. Use a simple, clean ingredient cleanser at night (even if you don’t wear make up, you have most likely been outside, or in an office building, or delivering packages, or sitting on calls all day touching your face - I assure you that there is bacteria on your face at the end of the day) and use a nighttime moisturizer. And in the morning, use the coldest water you can and splash your face. If you are feeling really adventurous, keep a dermal ice roller in your freezer and roll your face (your tired eyes will thank you) - then apply a gentle, clean-ingredient moisturizer and SPF. That’s it.

As women entrepreneurs, we often juggle multiple identities – founder, mentor, mother, daughter, partner, friend. It’s easy to let self-care slip to the bottom of the list, convincing ourselves it’s something we’ll do when things slow down. But ‘slow down’ is not in our vocabulary. So, the healthiest decision you can make for your company might not be a new strategy or product. It might be protecting and nurturing the person who built it. You.