Written by: Jasmine Kelly-Stephens, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Many of life’s lessons are often learned through experiences. Afterall, you really don’t understand the world until you’ve lived in it…until you have done it yourself. Hence, the reason experience has been coined as the best teacher. Unfortunately, however when it comes to our health, many of us are more prone to learn from a negative experience rather than a positive one especially when it comes to our health and wellness.
Women entrepreneurs have become particularly good at grossly neglecting themselves. We are so wrapped up in the highly demanding nature of entrepreneurship which involves long hours in addition to taking care of everyone else that we often leave only a lackluster effort for our own selfcare. This has often led to a range of physical and mental ailments.
It is heartbreaking whenever I hear women entrepreneurs sounding the alarm for help. They have become overwhelmed and frustrated. These are women who have created tremendous results in their lives. They are life-long achievers and some of the most intelligent, successful, and disciplined (in business) individuals I know. There is no more joy or happiness in their relationships. The shame and guilt from often turning to food for comfort and not being able to exercise discipline in their health, has taken its toll. They are at a crossroads, and they are ready to experience healing. What an imbalance you say! Well, unfortunately, this imbalance happens more times than not.
I am here to tell you that you do not have to sacrifice your health or happiness for your entrepreneurial dream. You can absolutely have it all…business, family, leisure and even selfcare. But you must establish an action plan to safeguard your physical and mental health.
Here are three strategies to have in place.
1. Create A Wellness Plan That You Can Stick To
Just as you would create a business plan, a wellness plan is very crucial in achieving optimal health. A wellness plan is a multi-dimensional view that takes into consideration all areas of your life, including but not limited to your mental, physical, spiritual, financial, and intellectual health. When creating a wellness plan it is important to assess, nurture and develop each of these areas of your life to determine what your goals should be. Being able to take an honest introspection and ask yourself a few key questions can help you discover opportunities for an improved quality of life and create goals accordingly.
It is important to keep things simple especially if stress and overwhelm come easily. One way to do so is by writing down your goals but focusing on a couple at a time and create a reasonable timeline to reach those goals. This will help to maintain some form of balance. You can also keep track of your progress with the use of a calendar, a journal, or your favorite goal tracking app. Lastly, be sure to enlist someone who can provide support, encouragement, and accountability throughout your journey.
2. Manage Your Stress
We all get stressed! It is one of the biggest and most detrimental side effects of entrepreneurship. Stress is part of being human and it can cause you to make some poor decisions. Increased stress is linked to serious health consequences such as decreased immune function, mediocre quality sleep, burnout and adrenal fatigue. Stress does not just go away because you are a Christian and you cannot pray it away. But because God has given you a brilliant brain that can respond to stress incredibly, you can certainly get past the hurdle of stress and get back to experiencing the peace that God desires for you.
It is important to remember why God called to do business in the first place. It is this purpose that will help to define the WHY and helps you see stress in a different light. Instead of focusing on the stressful situation, you will then begin to learn from your struggles and become the person God wants you to be.
Stress management is vital for your overall health, so be sure to intentionally plan stress relieving activities into your life and minimize the stress whenever you can. A good place to start is to remove yourself from the distractions, do some deep breathing, go for a walk outside, or engage in a fun workout. Moving is one of the fastest stress relievers and mood boosters there is. As you engage in movement, meditate on the lessons you get to learn in this situation and season, and lean into the presence of God.
3. Partner With God
Make no mistake, that God is the key to ultimate success. Partnering with Him allows you to put things into perspective. You soon realize that He delights in you and wants you to invite Him into every aspect of your life. He only wants your freedom. He does not require that you be enslaved to your health or your business or make them idols. Instead, He wants you to use them for His glory.
Neglecting your health comes with its own ill effects, and oftentimes, it can be difficult to reverse these effects. It is much better to be proactive and make your health non-negotiable. Being healthy and staying fit will improve your ability to be successful. It can even boost your productivity and energy levels.
There are very few things more precious than your health. Taking care of yourself not only gives you a longer life but also a higher quality one. When you partner with God and believe who He says you are, you will not neglect your health. Instead, you realize you have an obligation and a wonderful opportunity to effect change as a business owner. You understand that you are called to a higher standard, and when others see you living in good health, they get to experience the mighty power of God.
Experience is a wonderful teacher as it opens new doors and opportunities for us to succeed. However, it can be a two-edged sword creating periods of hopelessness. Here is where I would remind you that God loves to meet you right where you are. In your weakness, He is strong. He does not want you just to have your needs supplied; He wants your cup running over with His blessings, every day, all day. He has given you the power to live a transformed and abundant life.
Jasmine Kelly-Stephens, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jasmine Kelly-Stephens is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach. She is a wife, mom, encourager, church ministries leader, just to name a few. Her latest accomplishment is becoming an Amazon 1 Best-Selling Author.
As one whose own struggles with stress eating, binge eating, overeating, and cravings date back to over thirty years, Jasmine is passionate about putting a stop to the emotional eating epidemic and helping women get back to a place of healing, restoration, and liberation.
Jasmine does not believe in the one-size-fits-all approach. She also believes that this epidemic can only be overcome with the truth of God’s word. Her mission is to help women break free from the stronghold of emotional eating through self-awareness and sound biblical truths so that they can heal their relationship with food and their bodies, once and for all.
She mainly works with Christian women entrepreneurs one-on-one but is also passionate about spreading this transformation with anyone who’s willing to listen.
Jasmine believes that when women are healed, it creates healthier environments for their families and communities, and they can show up with more confidence and energy in their God-given assignment.
