There are plenty of pressures that come with being a business owner. Keeping on top of mental and physical health, creating balance in your life and allowing yourself the opportunity for rest and downtime is necessary for you to continue to do your best work. We have some tips to keep you on your path.
Maintaining your mental and physical health
You are your greatest business asset. And like any asset, the better you take care of it, the better it will perform. Self-care practices should be an integrated part of your personal and professional life, rather than treated as a nice-to-have or something that happens when you hit a physical or emotional hurdle. There is no health without mental health, so don’t underestimate the importance of managing and reducing stressors early, before they become burdens.
Being mentally resilient
Mental toughness is about rebounding from setbacks, staying flexible, and responding to challenges with calmness and focus. It’s not about being invulnerable—it’s about building the tools and support to persevere and grow, even in hard times.
Try:
- Talking to family, friends and positive people. Even chatting about your challenges can help bring perspective and get you ‘out of your head’ and more focused on solutions.
- Contacting business owners with similar issues and identifying their solutions. Chances are, someone else has faced similar challenges. Speak up and ask for advice. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to listen and lend some help.
- Collaborating with complementary businesses and sharing the solution. Pooling resources can benefit both businesses and help get you through more challenging times.
- Focusing on small wins rather than trying to solve everything. Set yourself realistic to-do lists and work on what you have achieved, rather than what you’ve still got on your plate.
- Setting short-term achievable goals and celebrating every success. Having a big vision is great but reward yourself for the work you do along the way, as you might be surprised just how far you’ve already come.
Building resilience is a journey, and by taking small, meaningful steps, you can strengthen your mindset and inspire others to do the same.
Protecting your mental health
Changes in our lives, uncertainty, loss of income, lack of routines, taking on too much at once – these are some things that can lead to small business owner stress and cause mental health issues. Consider:
- Recognizing any pre-anxiety signs. Symptoms can be emotional and physical so listen to your body when it begins to show signs of stress such as feeling unwell or being unable to sleep. Chat to a support person or medical professional for further advice.
- Reducing uncertainty and managing what you can control. Often stress comes from a sense of being overwhelmed, so taking a step back, then delegating or asking for help can help lessen your load.
- Doing something you love to do. Spend time with loved ones and some time each week with your favourite hobby or sport. Get outside for the activities that leave you feeling uplifted. Exercise is a great way to improve your mood.
- Repositioning challenges as learning opportunities to improve your skills.
- Eating well. Good nutrition is not only important for physical health, but for your mental wellbeing too.
Prioritizing your mental health is essential if you’re going to meet the challenges of small business ownership.
Improving health while working from home
Working from home comes with its benefits, but it can also be isolating. Here’s how to incorporate health into your work at home routine:
- Establish clear work and personal time so that you can unwind and connect with family.
- Take regular breaks from your desk to stretch and walk and set up an ergonomic workspace.
- Step outside for fresh air and natural light to improve mood and energy.
- Limit back-to-back video calls and take breaks to prevent mental fatigue.
- Stay in touch with colleagues and friends to combat isolation.
- Treat yourself to a coffee or walk, or finish work early to enjoy personal time.
Integrating healthy habits into your work-from-home routine will help improve productivity, maintain balance, and nurture both your physical and mental well-being.
Seek professional help if necessary
If you are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, reach out for assistance. It’s rare for anyone to run their business without help or advice. Developing mental resilience is as much as knowing when to seek help and who from. There are a number of business support agencies designed to help you.
Finally, if you know of another business owner under stress, reach out to them to make sure they are okay and that you are there for them.
Next steps
- Regularly assess your mental well-being by recognizing early signs of stress and anxiety. Implement strategies such as mindfulness or journaling to identify emotional triggers, and don’t hesitate to talk to trusted friends or professionals if needed.
- Build a support network by connecting with other business owners who face similar challenges. Having a peer group to share experiences, seek advice, and gain perspective can help alleviate feelings of isolation and stress.
- Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Celebrating small wins can enhance your sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue pushing forward without feeling overwhelmed by larger challenges.
- Make sure you schedule regular breaks throughout your day, especially if you work from home.
Taking steps to assess your mental well-being, build a support network, and manage stress will help you stay resilient and maintain a healthier, more balanced approach to both work and life.