What a couple of months! May is mental health month and goodness knows, our mental health is being tested. As small business owners, our ability to navigate stress and cope with the many and continued unknowns is wreaking havoc on many, if not most, of our mental well-beings. While it is important every month, every day, really, to improve our mental health, it is especially important now. Here are a few suggestions to help you stay strong and healthy mentally, so that you can continue to build your business and mostly, to enjoy life.
Breathe, relax
If this is something you struggle to do because you feel as if you are tied to your computer, or you just can’t seem to relax, try adopting a mentality where you are going to control what is trying to control you. It is important to realize that like other muscles, you have to train your brain to relax and to think about what YOU want it to think about. That is really what meditation is doing for you; it is a workout for your brain. Through the exercise of forcing your brain to stop thinking-shutting it down-by focusing on breathing and relaxing the parts of your body, you are basically doing a strength training workout for your brain. And, that daily workout will make you more powerful and healthy than any fitness class or Julian Michaels shake down ever could. It may sound easy for some and very difficult for others; it depends. One thing it is for sure, is an essential medicine for your mental health.
Let Mother Nature nurture you
Finally, it is getting warm out on a more consistent basis (ya, I know the polar vortex threw a little wrench in the spring weather), but we can finally look forward to higher temps and longer days (NO, this is not so you can work longer ☺). This is awesome news! One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to get outdoors. There is scientific evidence that being outdoors “reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.” If you are having a hard time taking a break long enough to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air and listen to the sounds of the birds merrily going about their business, then start small. Just go for a loop around the block every couple hours, or once every day. The next week go for a little longer, and the next week consider driving to a place, a park, a trail, that is really beautiful and go for a long rejuvenating walk. And when you are stuck indoors on your computer, find a place by a window where you can gaze outdoors or open the window and hear the birds sing. Studies have shown that even just listening to nature indoors (via YouTube or other sound apps) can have positive effects on our mental health.
Be strong enough to ask for help
One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to recognize when you are in need of outside help. Whether it is delegating to your employees who are working remotely, relief from your spouse, or some guidance from a mental health provider, recognizing when you need help and asking for it, is one of the bravest things you can do. Many leaders/business owners get the impression that they have to be super strong and carry the load themselves. This is a misconception that doesn’t really endear themselves or impress their employees or their family. It is likely that when the burden has become too tough to bear alone, the person who doesn’t ask for help, becomes one who is unbearable to work for and with. It is important to remember that the people in one’s life want to be valued and useful. One way leaders can help them do that, and at the same time improve their mental health, is to ask for assistance on tasks that they are comfortable with delegating. And, if it all becomes too much and a person doesn’t know how to navigate the feelings of anxiety and overwhelming burden, then it is a bold, strong, and very wise move to call a therapist for some help.
Be smart with your time.
Working from home has proven to be both rewarding and detrimental during the stay-at-home orders. While we should have extra time, be slowing down and gaining precious commute time, what is reality is very different. Most people are just working harder and longer than ever. This is of course bad for our mental health. We all need to make a schedule with planned-in time for breathing and relaxing, time outdoors, and a lunch break during our work day. Determine what your work day schedule is and stick to it. Don’t let the “longer days” of spring turn into longer days at work. Yes, there are emergencies and things that have to be handled, but stop and ask yourself, do I really have to do this now? Or, can it wait until tomorrow? Be honest, and be good to yourself, because you are the only “you” your business and your family have. And frankly, when you let your mental health slide, it will have a negative effect on your work, and on your family. What you have to offer your business, your employers, your customers, and your family and friends is only as good as your mental health.