Opening a new restaurant can be a daunting task, and it can have a real impact on your wellbeing. It is crucial for the success of your venture that you do what you can to mitigate the impact that your business has on your wellbeing. After all, you are the heart of the company you are operating, and without you firing on all cylinders, your business cannot succeed.
It can be tempting to put as many of your waking hours as possible into your business. This is an understandable impulse, but you will need to manage your time and ensure you get plenty of time to relax to prevent entrepreneurial burnout. This article will discuss some of the best ways to keep yourself mentally and physically well and succeed with your new restaurant business.
Work Reasonable Hours
You should avoid working all hours of the day, which is one of the quickest ways to lead to burnout. There is also a limit to the amount of productivity a person can achieve in a week. After a certain point, working will lead to diminishing returns. It is much better to give yourself a break and come back refreshed. A good goal is to work no more than 50 hours a week.
Get The Right Amount Of Sleep
Burning the candle at both ends is another sure way to lead to burnout. Sleep is a critical function that helps us lead a healthy life. You should be aiming to get between seven and nine hours of high-quality sleep each night. You’ll need the right environment to help you get quality sleep, which means having a mattress and pillows that offer the best ergonomic support.
Ideally, you should replace your mattress every six to eight years and your pillows every 18 to 24 months. You will usually be able to tell when your mattress and pillows need replacing as you will have poorer quality sleep or wake with new aches and pains. You should get into a good bedtime and morning routine to make getting a whole night’s sleep an ingrained habit.
Talk To A Professional
Managing a new restaurant can come with a range of stresses, and stress needs to be managed carefully to prevent it from becoming a more significant issue further down the line. It can help to talk to a therapist on a regular basis, particularly if you are concerned about how you’re coping with the additional stresses in your life.
Delegate Responsibilities
Delegation is something that many entrepreneurs struggle with, but it can be an invaluable tool to prevent burnout. No one can do it all, particularly when running a restaurant. There are many tasks to be completed daily, and it may be tempting to try to control all that is going on. You should focus instead on hiring staff you can trust to do tasks as well as you would, if not better. Like many skills, delegating gets easier the more you do it.
Hire The Right Team
The team you hire can make all the difference to the success of your business. You will need people with experience in the restaurant industry, from wait staff all the way to upper management. You should make your business an attractive workplace by offering a competitive salary and good benefits. This will ensure you attract and retain the best people, giving you the peace of mind you need when delegating essential tasks and duties.
Choose The Best Front Of House (FOH) Software
FOH software can make your life immensely easier as a restaurant owner. The type of software you choose will depend on the size and scope of your operation, and you should put careful thought into the platform you select. Yelp and Resy are two of the most popular options, streamlining crucial processes like booking reservations and advertising. You can find out more about Yelp vs. Resy from this excellent explainer by Yelp.
Eat Well
You should ensure that you get the nourishment you need to be healthy and energized. Eating a healthy balanced diet can make a difference to how productive and motivated you are daily. You should ensure you have plenty of fresh fruit and veg in your daily diet and all the different nutrients you need. If you need some inspiration for healthy dishes to cook for yourself, you could always have a talk with your head chef for some pointers!
Go For Monthly Spa Days
Spa days can be good for the soul and help relieve the tension that can build up throughout the month. Having a monthly spa day can help you feel happier and healthier. You should choose a quality spa with licensed professionals that can offer all the spa treatments you might want. A massage is a must, as this can help keep you healthy and ease any tension you might be carrying in your body.
Maintain Your Personal Relationships
It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and stress of launching a new restaurant, leading your personal relationships to fall by the wayside. This is understandable, but it is crucial to avoid doing so as you will need your support network more than ever when launching your new business.
Stay in contact with loved ones in whatever way you can, even simply emailing or messaging them via social media to let them know how you are and ask after them in return. Take the time to talk on the phone, and invite them to try out your restaurant themselves.
Schedule Time To Exercise
Staying fit and active is vital to keep you energized while you get your restaurant off the ground. Exercise can be a fantastic stress buster and gives you the stamina you need to put your all into your restaurant business. If it’s been a while since you were last active, you could start small by going for a short walk before and after work. You could consider cycling or walking to work, or signing up for classes at a local gym.
Do Good Work In Your Community
Giving back to your community can be an excellent way to improve your well-being while also locally raising your restaurant’s profile. You could consider partnering with a local soup kitchen to donate some of your profits and food that would otherwise go to waste or become a venue for a fundraising event or activity.
Take Regular Me Time
We all need a little time to ourselves to help rest and rechange, leaving us refreshed to face daily tasks and chores. Launching a new business can leave you with little spare time to take for yourself, so scheduling breaks and time for yourself is critical.
It is best to ensure you have a few hours here and there every week that you spend decompressing and relaxing. You could read a book, take a bath or meditate. Whatever you do, ensure it is something that helps you relax and takes your mind off the stresses of day-to-day life.
Remember Your Goals And Motivation
Keeping your motivation in mind can be a fantastic way to stay energized and focused. You could start each day with a short meditation session, after which you review your goals and the reasons for opening your restaurant. Reminding yourself of why you’re doing what you’re doing can be invaluable to help keep your mental health and wellbeing strong.
