Why Focusing On Your Wellness Is Essential While Running Your Business
There are many benefits to being your boss as a business owner, including the flexibility to make decisions and the autonomy to operate your way. Following your passion can make you feel good and productive and contribute to your overall health.
However, anybody who has run a small business is aware that there are a variety of hassles and challenges. Working long hours, feeling lonely, worried about financial flow, and making all those decisions might feel overwhelmed. Furthermore, external variables outside your control may impact your business or even the demands on your time.
That is why this is very critical to be proactive in managing your mental health. Taking care of yourself can help you deal with running a business and stay healthy.
As a business owner, we've put together some techniques to help you take care of your mental health. Always keep one thing in mind what works for the one person may not always work, so experiment until you find out what will work for you.
Keep track of your working hours
Running a business may be exhausting, and it may feel like your company is your life. Long working hours can quickly become the norm, leaving little room for anything else.
Taking time off for yourself, your family and friends are crucial, whether the satisfaction of running your own business drives you or feels like your business is running you. Long working hours have been associated with poor mental health and excessive weariness, burnout, concern, irritability, and more injuries.
Here are some suggestions very beneficial for achieving work-life balance:
Make a daily schedule for turning off your business email and mobile phone. Technology can blur the lines between work and home, making you feel obligated to be "always on."
Set a reminder on phone to take breaks throughout the day. Taking a food break or going for a brief walk outside can help you organise your thoughts and relieve stress.
After a busy period, take an afternoon off or a long weekend. It's sometimes simpler to balance more extended work periods with shorter work intervals.
Consider what you can outsource, delegate, or refuse to do. Some activities may not require your expertise and might be completed by others, while others may not be a priority or provide considerable benefit, in which case saying "no" may be the best option.
Maintain contact and gain access to resources
Running a business requires time and dedication, and it can be isolating at times. This may be literal if you are a sole trader working by yourself. If you are the owner of a business that employs people, you may not always communicate some of the issues you face with your employees, which can feel isolated.
It's critical to stay connected and locate someone to discuss your business triumphs and concerns. Access to all social support is one of the most important things you can do to stay well, and it has been related to improved mental health.
Here are five suggestions for staying connected and increasing your resources:
Finding someone to talk things over with, whether a close friend, a family member or another business owner, can be beneficial.
Join a networking group. We host Thrive, Biz, Network monthly focusing on you and your wellbeing as well as business! See Events for more info!
Find a mentor for your small business. Mentoring can be arranged professionally through a mentoring service or ad hoc through existing contacts.
In times of financial trouble, seek assistance who can assist you in finding answers and providing expert guidance. There are some brilliant free advice services in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas.
Make an appointment with your GP, a mental health professional, or one of our therapists if you're having difficulty with your mental health.
Maintain a healthy way of living
A healthy lifestyle is beneficial to our mental health and well-being. It comprises measures such as the ones listed above to help with work-life balance and ensure access to resources. Other behaviours that can help us manage stress and improve our mental health are included. In this way, leading a healthy lifestyle can help you deal with the day-to-day problems of running a small business.
There are several suggestions for establishing or sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are five things to think about:
Experiment with several relaxation techniques until you find one that suits you. Exercising, meditating, reading, interacting with nature, gardening, or listening to music are good options. We have lots wellbeing classes and therapies at Goldney House including Yoga, Pilates, Counselling, Reiki, Reflexology, Massage and Hypnotherapy and Coaching.
Download a meditation app for your phone or tablet, such as Smiling Mind. Mindfulness meditation at the start or end of the day can help you manage stress or Caroline Smith-Mclean our in house Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach is happy to send a free copy of her Relaxation Recording if you send her a message.
Establish healthy sleeping patterns. Try sticking to a regular sleep schedule, especially on weekends, by slowing down by 30 minutes before bedtime and creating a relaxing resting environment devoid of work, phones, television, and laptops.
Make time for exercise and incorporate part of people's daily routine. Finding something that will work with your schedule and that you enjoy is the key.
Develop a personal interest (e.g., a pastime) that you can share with friends or family outside of your business.
Contact Us today if you want any support regarding Body, Mind, and Spirit.
