As a new business owner living in today’s current climate, you could find that things can get overwhelming and you might start to feel like things are getting on top of you. It’s good to know though, that you are not alone – 80% of business owners reportedly suffer from poor mental health (Mental Health UK). This varies slightly between genders; with females being statistically more likely to admit to having poor mental health than men (86% of females against 77% of men) however, less than half (44%) of business owners have accessed the support available for this.
The most common symptoms of poor mental health are an inability to focus; feeling anxious; suffering from disrupted sleep; panic attacks; and depression. In fact, almost a quarter of business owners experience panic attacks a few times a year (IWOCA UK).Â
At Pride Lingerie Ltd they place high importance on the mental welfare of their team – a happy team is a productive team. Over three quarters of companies (76%) reported stress as the leading cause of absence in the UK. Having policies in place to improve mental health concerns can reduce absences and increase productivity by up to 33% (OECD).  Here are 5 tips for keeping your mental health in check by Ghizlaine Abdellaoui at Pride Lingerie Ltd.
Sleep
This sounds obvious, but a poor night’s sleep can have a detrimental effect on your mental state. Don’t feel guilty for having a lie in. Listen to your body. As a business owner you can feel increased pressure on yourself to wake up early, or to stay up late to work on projects. If you find it difficult to fall asleep at night, or if you find yourself more productive in an evening/late at night but less so in a morning, adjust your schedule accordingly where it allows. Our management team are both night owls, so wherever possible we aim to schedule later starts and finishes. This both increases productivity and allows a decent sleep schedule.
Fresh air
20% of the oxygen you breathe is going directly to your brain functions. Taking some time to go outside, get some fresh air and spend some time in nature can reduce symptoms of stress and depression. Take your kids to the park, walk the dog around the block, walk or cycle to the shops instead of driving – this will all help with your productivity and benefit your mental state.Â
Exercise
People who exercise regularly have 1.5 fewer bad days each month than those who don’t (Lancet Psychiatry Journal). The chance of developing depression is 22% less in people who exercise for 150 minutes a week (NHS). Walking, Cycling, Zumba, Horse Riding and Team Sports can all be ways of getting your exercise in and improving your mental state. Â
Regular breaksÂ
Schedule yourself regular breaks. This may seem counterproductive when you have a growing list of tasks you need to complete, however according to the app Desktime, the 10% most productive people will work for 52 minutes and take a break for 17 minutes. Ensure that your breaks are productive – avoid high dopamine/low effort activities such as aimlessly scrolling social media; or online shopping. Instead, opt for activities such as having a brew, taking time to meditate, going for a walk, doing some exercise, or even having a power nap.Â
TalkÂ
Possibly the most important tip is talk to others about how you are feeling. Your friends and family can be a great place to start, as can other business owners who you are close with. If you are finding yourself overwhelmed and struggling you can always go to your GP who can signpost you to other services that can best support you.Â
Mental Health UK has a support package in place which is specifically designed for small business owners to help them cope with the challenges they face. There are also helplines available such as Samaritans (which can be contacted free on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org) if you would like someone outside of your circle to talk to.
