With 1 in every 5 small businesses shutting down since the pandemic, the fluctuation of the economy, the unemployment rates, the uncertainty in just about every area of our lives, not to mention the concern we are all feeling about potentially contracting and spreading the virus, has most of us stressed to the max. It’s fair to say that as small business owners, we have a lot of pressure when things are “normal,” so today we are experiencing a pretty tight squeeze. That is why it is so important to not only have a plan for how to help your business adapt and survive, but also how to cope and live the best life possible in this new norm. In July, we discussed self-care. Now that it is October, it’s time to once again re-evaluate our mental and physical well-being and adapt some new strategies for survival and maybe even find some joy.
How to check-in with yourself
Ask yourself:
How is my sleeping quality and quantity?
What is my general mood?
How are my interactions going with others?
Do I enjoy the things I once loved?
What is my general viewpoint on the world?
Am I overly negative?
Am I productive at work?
Do I find it difficult to motivate myself to work, spend time with loved ones, do general activities?
Are my eating, drinking, and spending money habits getting out of control?
What is your mood like most of the time?
Are you overly fatigued?
Have you lost an excess/or gained an excess of weight?
How does your body feel?
It’s likely that all of us have taken a hit mentally and physically, as well as financially with this crisis. That is why it is so important to check-in with yourself and self-evaluate to make sure that you are aware of your own wellbeing. If you notice a decline, then it is time to stop, pivot, adapt, and DO!
Get a massage
Just do it. Yes, you're trying to save money and cut back on expenses, but self-care is the most important thing you can do for your health! What is more caring than booking a massage? They have strict COVID-19 safety protocols to keep you safe. Massages are proven to release toxins that have been holing up in our bodies causing our immune systems to buckle and our stress responses to escalate. As you receive a massage, remember to meditate and release all the thoughts that have been keeping you up at night.
Limit social media and news
While watching the news feels like the responsibility of many adults, it is actually causing many people to feel overwhelmed and is triggering our sympathetic nervous system and pushing us into fight or flight mode. According to One Medical, it is causing headaches, attention deficits, and sleep deprivation. Try to limit your news consumption to one time a day. The best time to watch it is the middle of the day! Many people watch or read their news as they awaken each morning; what a bad way to start the day! Worse yet, they read it before bed and then are surprised when they can’t fall asleep or wake up in a panic.
Live like there is no tomorrow
This doesn’t mean spend your life savings and jump out of a plane, but it does mean, do some of the things you have always wanted to, like book a cabin out in the woods, or take a road trip to the closest National Park.
Give
The best thing you can do to help improve your state of mind is to help someone in need. According to Adam Grant, organizational psychologist at Wharton, “’There is a lot of evidence that one of the best anti-anxiety medications available is generosity.’” Studies have proven that volunteering has the effect of lowering cortisol and helping individuals feel more hopeful and relaxed.
There is comfort in knowing that most Americans, and most small business owners are feeling anxious with all the uncertainty. Fortunately, we can look for ways to cope that help us to feel hopeful and relaxed. The key is we have to recognize that we are in need and make ourselves DO, even when we lack the energy.