Wednesday, 25th August 2021 | Management
Self-care tips for entrepreneurs to help manage your mental health
Entrepreneurs are busy people who have limited time to properly attend to their mental health when in fact it should be a top priority. Here are some self-care tips for entrepreneurs and small business owners to help manage stress and improve mood.
Business ownership is stressful at the best of times but when you add a pandemic that involves operating restrictions and lockdowns, the pressure can be overwhelming. Entrepreneurs handle so many responsibilities and attending to their mental health can sometimes take the backseat when in fact it should be a top priority. Entrepreneurs are actually 50% more vulnerable to mental health problems than the general population, according to a study by University of San Francisco researcher Michael Freeman.
COVID-19 has taken an economic and mental toll on small business owners so now, as restrictions are being lifted, is the time to address and manage stress. Here are some self-care tips for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Be kind to yourself
Treating yourself with care is a key foundation to strengthening your mental health but what, exactly, does it entail? Be gentle with yourself. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes. Watch for (and try to eliminate) negative self-talk. Anything that you can do to boost your comfort, security, and self-esteem might fall into this category. We share more specific ideas below.
Limit your social media consumption
Social media invites users to compare themselves to others. Curated accounts foster envy and even posts from family and friends can ignite negative thoughts. Set limits for yourself, bearing in mind that if you use social media for your business (and you should be!), you won’t be able to go completely cold turkey. Plan accordingly.
Manage your screen time
Social media aside, many people use screen time to relax, tune out, and wind down. Binge watching shows on Netflix is a great way to escape, but like most things, it’s best in moderation. Stick to a set number of tech-free hours every day.
Get outside
Even a short while in nature can act as a natural mood-booster. Take a tip from the Japanese and go forest bathing to fight stress and recalibrate. Just make sure you leave your phone at your desk.
Schedule “me” time
Running a business is a 24/7 endeavour. It’s far too easy to go weeks or even months without a break which is why it’s essential to schedule time for yourself. Identify activities that make you feel good and block out time for them. Physical exercise, social time, and creative projects are all effective ways to benefit your physical, emotional and mental health.
Set boundaries
Saying “no'' can be challenging for many people but when you’re running a business it can feel especially risky. Acknowledge that you can’t do everything for everyone all the time. Manage people’s expectations by being clear about your boundaries.
Take a deep breath
It might sound silly but you can affect your mood with the way you breathe. When people are under stress they tend to take shallow sips of air. Stopping and allowing yourself a lungful can actually help you calm down and recalibrate your mood.
Develop healthy habits
Mental health is tied to physical health so one of the most effective ways to boost your mood is to break a sweat. Complement regular exercise with a balanced diet, lots of water, and sufficient sleep and you’ll be on your way to overall wellness.
Entrepreneurs are busy people who have limited time to properly attend to their mental health. By following the tips on this list, you’ll quickly and easily tweak your lifestyle to improve your mental health.
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