Is your business making you stressed? Here are five ways to manage your mental health

It’s 8 am. Your ear's being chewed off by a dissatisfied customer on the phone, a staff member has just texted in sick, and you’re dreading opening the pile of bills on your desk.

Your heart’s racing, your shoulders are tight, and you feel like you could snap if one more thing goes wrong.

It’s not surprising that a 2019 MYOB survey showed that more than half (56%) of small business owners had feelings of anxiety or depression caused by running their own business. It’s a stressful gig.

And that was before the Coronavirus reared its ugly head.

Now 2 out of 3 small business owners say Covid-19 has impacted their mental well-being. You need to take note of the warning signs and manage your stress.

How can you look after your mental health?

1.       Take a deep breath.

Have you noticed that when you’re stressed, your breathing changes? You take small, shallow breaths as part of your body’s ‘fight or flight’ response.

Unfortunately, that makes your stress worse.

Even a few minutes of deep breathing will bring more oxygen into your blood. Your heart rate will slow, the number of stress hormones in your blood will reduce, and you’ll feel calmer.

Give it a go - it’s easy to do and works quickly.

2.       Take exercise.

Make time for some regular exercise. It doesn’t matter what type – choose something you’ll enjoy and make into a habit.

It all comes down to the chemicals in your brain. Aerobic exercise reduces the stress hormones in your body, like adrenaline and cortisol.

Plus, it increases the ‘happy hormones’ like endorphins that are natural painkillers and mood elevators.

3.       Get outside.

Did you know that being outside in nature helps your stress levels?

It's been proven that taking 20 minutes to stroll or sit in nature will significantly lower your stress hormone levels.

So, you can take your exercise, breathe deeply and be out in nature to improve your mental well-being.

4.       Connect with family and friends.

Make the time to connect with supportive people in your life.

Knowing you’re not alone can be a big help in managing your mental health. A 2015 survey found a significant drop in stress level for those with emotional support compared to those without).

So, pick up the phone, jump on Zoom or meet up in person – socially distanced, of course. Just connect with people who support you.

5.       Be kind to yourself.

There’s a reason you keep hearing about “these unprecedented times” – because they are unprecedented.

There is no roadmap to follow. It’s okay to say no to things or to feel uncertain.

Everyone is finding their own new normal, and it’s vital to be kind to yourself.

Reach out if you need help

If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to your GP for a mental health care plan.

There are also many fabulous online resources available such as beyondblue’s special 'For small business' section on their website.

And if you need to talk to someone now, you can call:
Lifeline – 13 11 14

These lines are free and available 24 hours a day.