As a business owner, you have a great deal on your plate. From running a company to caring for your family, it’s a heavy load for one person to handle.
Regrettably, your mental health takes a back seat and before you know it, burnout and exhaustion give way to anxiety and fear. You’re not the only one feeling the heat.
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According to Founder Reports, about 34.4% of entrepreneurs experience burnout. Another 50.2% struggle with anxiety.
Maintaining a consistent self-care routine achieves a healthy work-life balance and improves well-being. Below, we’ll dig into five self-care strategies for overworked business owners.
#1. Indulge in Aromatherapy
Research suggests aromatherapy could be a plausible option. Essential oils have been used for therapy for thousands of years.
A study published in Frontiers found that aromatherapy relieved anxiety in cancer patients.
Place essential oils, incense or scented candles at your workstation or bedroom. The soothing effects of lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood can help calm your mind.
Bergamot orange is an essential oil favorite. MedicalNewsToday reports it may help ease pre-surgery anxiety as a complementary treatment. Clary sage helps to decrease pulse rates when inhaled.
The rich citrusy scent of lemon essential oil can manage anxiety symptoms before writing a test.
#2. Try Microdosing Cannabis Edibles
Previously, cannabis was shunned by the general public. Relegated to being a chilled pastime for unemployed couch surfers, the popularity of edibles with cannabis extract
has redefined cannabis culture.
Like any psychoactive drug, it comes with risks. Herb.co suggests microdosing. The practice is widely used among professionals and patients seeking pain relief.
And while it’s recommended you don’t try it at work, many companies are jumping on the microdosing train. Low-dose edibles contain much less THC and more CBD.
If you’re after that euphoric sensation, 200 mg edibles will achieve the desired effects when digested.
The main attraction of edibles is that they are discreet and convenient. Nobody is going to question those THC gummies you’re munching on.
Experts recommend you start low with a 2.5 mg dosage since it takes longer for the effects to kick in, unlike smoking or vaping.
Vibe Dispensaries notes that edibles provide a full-body high that lasts up to several hours.
#3. Define Your Boundaries
It’s easy to demand your staff switch off when they leave the office. On the other hand, you are constantly distracted by the notifications ringing on your device.
Of course, you’re the boss, making it harder to set professional boundaries. However, you’re allowed to take time out to do meaningful things outside of office hours.
Setting boundaries lets your colleagues know your limits and what you’re fine with. This helps them adjust their behavior, says WebMD.
Healthy boundaries permit you to focus, help avoid burnout and create a greater sense of identity. Be direct, open and honest.
Share your thoughts respectfully. Never assume you know what someone is thinking. Follow through on your directives.
Boundaries initiate self-awareness by prioritizing yourself and your loved ones. But, if you feel agitated or distressed, consult a mental health professional.
#4. Declutter
Clutter creates a mental barrier. An office environment can make you less productive, reports Everyday Health.
Coupled with a disorganized setting, your focus and attention can wane. Research published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that an individual’s cognitive resources are drained when surrounded by clutter.
Decluttering gives people a renewed sense of control, Dr Catherine Roster tells Everyday Health.
Roster studied clutter’s impact on psychological well-being. She notes that the process of decluttering is reclaiming mastery and control.
Besides the mental aspects, decluttering your office ensures everything is in its place.
#5. Have Fun
We often forget who we are outside of work. Simple things like catching up with a friend over coffee or taking the kids for a hike seem foreign.
Doing something you enjoy separates your work time from leisure. Allowing yourself to decompress and just breathe gives you renewed vigor when you return to the office.
Finding a hobby lets you tap into the side of your brain that’s rarely utilized. You might even be good at it.
Challenge yourself to do something out of your comfort zone. Go camping in the woods for the weekend, minus your phone.
Enroll in a yoga class and perfect the Downward Dog pose. Or, relax with a book for a few hours without letting your mind wander to work things.
The world can be a busy and confusing place. Your life doesn’t have to be. Finding balance with these self-care techniques can help relieve anxiety so you can manifest a better, happier version of yourself.
