Self-Care for Business Owners: Yes, That’s a Thing!

87.7% of business owners are dealing with at least one mental health challenge according to a recent Founder’s Report. Within that number specific mental health issues include: high anxiety, financial worries, burnout, imposter syndrome, poor work-life balance, loneliness, and the list goes on. 

Running a business when your own mental health is suffering is not only exhausting, but it’s actually dangerous as well. In his unique research on entrepreneurs and mental health, Dr. Michael Freeman has determined that business owners and entrepreneurs are at higher risk for suicidal ideation and suicide due to the high pressure they put on themselves to perform. 

Although running your own business seems to come packaged along with stress, there are steps business owners should be taking to reduce the impact of mental health challenges and create a better work-life balance. Self-care is crucial to establishing and maintaining this critical balance. Let’s look at what happens without self-care, and a few important ways to incorporate self-care into your life this week. 

The Exhaustion Funnel

If you’re not familiar with the concept of the Exhaustion Funnel, pay attention. This concept was created by Swedish psychiatrist Marie Asberg to illustrate what happens when your work life balance becomes not so balanced. 

At the top of this funnel you’ll see a balanced life that incorporates work, chores, rest, and play. All of these are necessary for your mental health. When life starts to get hectic or work becomes more demanding, you may start to slide down the funnel. You push play to a back burner and focus all of your energy on work, chores, and squeezing in some rest. 

If stress and pressure continue to increase, the next thing to go is rest and you are left focusing all time and energy on work to keep your business running and chores to keep your home and family running. 

The next level down is when even your home life chores are pushed aside and you focus only on work. This can lead to further stress as the rest of your life becomes chaotic and out of control.

Once an individual reaches that level of the funnel, they will quickly start to experience exhaustion and burnout which can lead to depression, physical illness, and other symptoms. 

To keep your life balanced, you must practice self-care which will protect those four areas of your life that you see at the top of the funnel. There are four main types of self-care that you should try to incorporate weekly. 

Down Time

Down time is a concept that can become totally lost for some people. Down time means time in your day that is not blocked out for anything. It’s just free time to do nothing, or to do something enjoyable or relaxing. There should be some time in your day and blocks of time in your week that aren’t dedicated to any responsibilities. If you automatically think that you can’t do that, then you’re exactly the person that needs to do that. 

Consider this; if someone came and asked you to commit to a new job task that was going to make you or your business a significant amount of money each week if you put in the time commitment, you’d likely find the time somehow. Well, this is an investment in yourself, so find the time. 

Physical Care

Over achievers from all walks of life, often put their physical health on the back burner in order to achieve more. Do you often find yourself postponing exercise, canceling doctor’s appointments or ignoring health conditions because you think you don’t have the time? You’re circling the exhaustion funnel. 

Part of self-care is caring for your physical needs. Not only does that include exercise, doctor’s appointments and managing health conditions, but it also includes getting enough sleep and eating right. This is just as important as financially investing in your company. 

Personal Enjoyment

Personal enjoyment, remember that? Doing things just for the fun of it? Every minute of your life can’t be focused on your business. Taking time to enjoy things you love is crucial to your success because it’s crucial to your mental health. 

Personal enjoyment includes hobbies, personal learning, and recreation. This can be things you do alone or with people you enjoy being with.

Mental Restoration 

Mental restoration is a little different from just having down time, or doing hobbies you enjoy. Mental restoration is time you spend slowing down and reconnecting with yourself. This is often done through meditation, spiritual practices, or physical relaxation such as massage therapy. Mental restoration can be a powerful way to recharge and reset your body and mind. 

This benefits your business endeavor because when you invest in mental restoration you can show up as your best self for your family and business. 

Self care is not a luxury that some people get to enjoy who have extra time. Self-care is an essential part of your well-being and ultimately your success as a business owner. It’s time to invest in you!