Being a business owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. You’re balancing the needs of customers and employees, and depending on the nature of your work, there are a number of unique stressors that you might face.
Running a business is hard work, but it’s a labor of love, and it’s crucial to take care of yourself so that you can maintain your own health as well as your professional life.
So, how do you take care of yourself as a business owner? Today, we will answer that question and talk about how to find professional support when you need it.
Caring For Your Mental Health As A Business Owner
Here are some ways to care for your mental health as a business owner:
Look at your work environment.
When you do this, think about what you can do to cultivate a work environment that’s healthy for yourself and for your employees.
Can you get creative and think of ways to extend compassion and flexibility to yourself and your workers?
Being introspective in this way and looking past standard practices and experiences in the workplace can help you make your work atmosphere even more incredible, so it can be great to check in with yourself in this way from time to time.
Spend time in nature.
Research shows that spending time in nature can decrease stress levels, and it is beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being in many different ways.
This is a great way to work in physical activity and spend some time away from electronics as well if those happen to be goals for you.
Prioritize sleep.
Adequate sleep is a fundamental need that is all too easy to overlook, and if you don’t prioritize it, there will be consequences.
Implementing sleep hygiene tips into your life, such as sleeping in a cool, dark room and avoiding electronics before bed can be beneficial if you struggle to get enough shut-eye in addition to distancing from work and de-stressing before bed.
That said, if sleep is an ongoing issue and sleep hygiene tips don’t seem to help, you may want to reach out to a medical professional.
Set scheduling boundaries.
It’s important to set boundaries not just with others but with yourself. Having a work-life balance is imperative for your health, so setting boundaries such as “I won’t answer emails outside of business hours” or “I won’t look at my work phone during a family time” can be a major game-changer.
Make sure that you have social and emotional support.
Everyone needs a support system. While it’ll look different from person to person, and although it may change throughout your life, this may include friends, family, romantic partners, a therapist, members of a support group, and so on.
Self-care is crucial, but there are times when all of us need additional support.
If you’re struggling with stress related to work or something else that’s going on in your life, you don’t have to face it on your own or in silence. Seeing a counselor or therapist can help.
Find A Therapist
There are a number of routes you can take to find a therapist. You can ask your doctor for a referral, check with your insurance company to see who they cover, search the web, or use an online directory to find providers in your area.
You can also use a website like MyTherapist. Online therapy is an excellent way to get the support that you need from the privacy of your own home, and it’s a great option for busy professionals such as business owners.
All of the mental health professionals on the platform are licensed, and it’s often more affordable than traditional in-person therapy is in the absence of insurance.
Whether you see someone online or in your local area, you deserve to get the support that you need, so don’t hesitate to make the first step and get started.
