October 27, 2021
Candace Dixon
As business owners often wearing many hats, our mental health is extremely important, especially during COVID-19 and its aftermath. While the journey through the pandemic has been different for everyone, one thing is for certain: we've all been through something.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty for small business owners, both in their professional and personal lives. Depending on local guidance, you may be heading back to work or continuing to run operations remotely. As you are navigating these changes, it’s important to establish a balanced and healthy lifestyle outside of work. Here are some tips to help you cope.
Take Care of Your Body
You’re more energetic and productive when you feel good physically. Exercise makes people more alert and attentive, which allows them to have a better focus on their business. The CDC discusses the benefits of physical activity on their website. Even a little exercise goes a long way! If you're unable to go to your usual gym, you can stay active by taking walks outside while listening to music, or by following an online exercise video indoors - even in your office if you're there! Look to YouTube, ROKU, Amazon Prime, and other apps that are either free or offer a free trial. Parade has a list of 125 free streaming workouts you can try, and Self compiled a list of 43 workout apps you can do anywhere.
Connect with Others
It’s important to have a support system outside of work. While meeting or visiting with personal and professional connections may be more difficult now than it was before the pandemic, there are still ways to keep in touch, like scheduling video calls with friends and relatives throughout the week, whether it's to laugh, cry, or vent together. Schedule the calls and put them on your calendar so you don't forget, and set reminders so that you are reminded that you're not alone.
Cultivate a network of business mentors and peers who can serve as a sounding board while you navigate your business’s new normal, whatever that may be. LinkedIn or Facebook groups are a great way to connect with other small business owners. If you’re in need of experienced business advice, you can set up a video or phone appointment with a local SBA resource partner.
Make Time to Unwind
Intentionally make time for yourself to do an activity that you enjoy every week. While "me” time is different for everyone, it should include relaxing or entertaining activities to help you recharge. Some ideas are: reading (not work reports, though!); watching an old favorite movie that you haven't seen in years; or cooking something you've never made before.
If you enjoy hobbies such as gardening or arts and crafts, this would be a great time to begin a new project or plant a few seeds (if it's not the right time of year for planting, try indoor container gardening!) Either of those two hobbies would be excellent to try for the first time because they are known to be very relaxing.
The CDC reported that 40.9% of 5,470 respondents who completed surveys in June of 2020 reported an adverse mental or behavioral health condition. Meditating - not just before bed, but mindfully for a few moments every day - may be able to help. Mindful.org has a page of meditation and mindfulness resources that can help people through COVID related stress.
While relaxation time might seem like a luxury for busy small business owners, it’s absolutely essential to prevent burnout. Be sure to hold yourself as accountable for your "me" time as you do your work time.
Set Goals and Priorities
It may seem like you have a million extra things to do to not only run your business but also to keep it afloat, and it can be hard to figure out exactly where to start when it comes to the extra challenges such as dealing with loans, being short staffed, or implanting new policies because of the pandemic.
The first step is to make a list of everything you need to get done. Next, prioritize your list based on deadlines and other factors. Break down large, more cumbersome tasks and projects into smaller, more manageable ones.
If you’re still having trouble prioritizing or figuring out exactly what your business needs, seek out a business mentor. You can find a SCORE business mentor in your area using the SBA’s tool on their website. SCORE is a non-profit network of volunteer, expert business mentors dedicated to helping small businesses plan, launch, manage and grow through mentoring and educational workshops.
Compare your pandemic business plan with your original business plan - back when you first started - to make sure the areas you’re focusing on align with your overall business goals and your personal dreams. There may have been some changes that you actually want to keep after the pandemic has passed, such as working remotely more often, or using video conferencing more often for meetings instead of driving across town. Hey - if the IRS can do it, so can you ;)
During these difficult times that may seem like they will never end (they will, though!), you as a small business owner remain resilient, always finding new and better ways to get things accomplished and stay afloat.
It's awesome that you tend so carefully to your business, but don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Whether it's simply making sure that you take enough time for yourself or making an appointment or two to talk with a therapist over Zoom (easier now that ever because of telehealth!), your mental health is a priority. Be kind to yourself. You deserve it.
Discover 7 more ways to manage your mental health in this blog post on Firm of the Future.
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