Want to know a secret to a thriving business? It isn’t just about smart decisions and productivity hacks. It’s about what fuels you day to day, from what’s on your plate to how you move and how you reset your mind.
Yes, food matters. A healthy diet can be a game changer. With so many plans and opinions flying around, start simple: choose organic, whole foods in their most natural state.
Think of the grocery store like a treasure map. The freshest options sit around the edges, in produce, seafood, and meats. The centre aisles are where the processed stuff lives. Convenience is tempting, so read the label first. If you can pronounce the ingredients and there aren’t many, you’re on the right track. If it reads like chemistry class, your body probably doesn’t need it.
Ditch the carb coma lunches
We’ve all been there—the dreaded carb coma, like after a Christmas feast. That sluggish, sleepy feeling is not what you need during a busy workday.
Instead of reaching for high-carb lunches that zap your energy and dull your decision-making skills, opt for lunches with more protein and fewer simple carbs. Think salad with chicken, turkey, or salmon. Add avocado or olive oil for good fats that keep you full and power your brain for the afternoon. Leftover roast veggies with feta and chickpeas. Tuna and crunchy salad in a wholemeal wrap. Easy.
Quick note: fruit and veg do contain carbohydrates. They’re whole foods your body handles well, so no need to panic about a salad. The culprits are the simple carbs like white bread, sugary cereals, pastries, and anything loaded with added sugar. Those are rough on your blood sugar, your energy, and your business brain.
Is buying organic worth the price?
It can be. Some produce carries more pesticide residues than others. If you’re watching your budget, prioritise organic versions of the worst offenders and buy conventional for the lower-risk items. The Environmental Working Group updates two handy lists each year: the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. Use those as your guide when you’re choosing what to buy organic and what to grab as is.
Practical tip: shop what’s in season, buy frozen organic berries for smoothies, and keep an eye out for weekly specials. Your wallet and your body will thank you.
Stimulate your brain with daily movement
You don’t need an hour at the gym to get the benefits. Short walks between calls. Taking the stairs. Ten minutes of yoga before the kids wake up. Movement improves mood, flexibility, and focus, and it helps prevent those niggly injuries that appear when you’re glued to a chair.
A simple rhythm to try:
- Morning: 10 minutes of mobility or yoga
- Lunch: 15–20 minute walk and a big glass of water
- Afternoon: two quick stretch breaks to reset your posture
Eating well and moving your body will lift your energy and productivity. Add a few minutes of daily self-care and you’ll feel calmer, clearer, and far less reactive.
More self-care support in our FREE planner
Making healthy dietary changes will improve your health and your business productivity but you should also take time each day for self-care. This special time allows your brain to quiet down and relax. It releases anxiety and stress and helps you focus on your personal life instead of always thinking about your business.
If you are ready to make self-care part of everyday life, my free Self-Care Planner for entrepreneurs will walk you through it step by step. Inside you will find guided prompts to help you figure out what actually feels restorative, space to create simple daily and weekly self-care routines, and check-in pages so you can track your mood, energy and progress over time.
It is designed to fit around a real business and a real life, not add more to your to do list.
