Last month was Mental Health Awareness week. Being a business owner can be stressful. When the buck stops with you, it can be easy to let the pressure mount up and to discount your own wellbeing.

Looking after your mental health is as important as looking after your balance sheet. That’s the reality. So, having an improved focus on rest, wellbeing and talking about your struggles is a big part of moving towards becoming a better business leader.

Here are some examples:



• Don't overwork yourself – it's tempting to work every hour that's available in an attempt to meet your goals. But working yourself into the ground is, ultimately, a destructive thing to do. If you're tired and burnt out then you're in no position to lead the company. Try to stick to set working hours and avoid working 60-hour weeks wherever possible. Sleep, rest, and downtime are vital.
• Schedule time for non-work-related activities – make sure you have time blocked out for things that aren't work. That might be a walk in the countryside, time with your kids, or a game of tennis. The aim is to take yourself away from the stresses of the business and to give yourself a broader life outside the company. It's a chance to have fun, to relax, or to be someone who isn't just 'the boss'.
• Take up an activity that promotes wellbeing – there are plenty of pastimes that can help you bring down your anxiety levels and bring you to a calmer place. Yoga is a good way to stay fit, but also an excellent form of relaxation. Equally, finding time for meditation helps you to empty your mind of business concerns and allows you to become more grounded and calmer. Even something as traditional as a fishing trip could help you to chill out and relax away from a screen.
• Talk about your worries, concerns, and anxieties – if business-related stress is building up, the worst thing you can do is keep it all bottled up. It's beneficial to open up and talk about these issues. This could be with a partner, a fellow entrepreneur, your accountant, or even a professional counsellor. Be transparent about your state of mind and you’ll find people are more than willing to listen, understand, and offer some support.

Finally, as accountants and advisers, we’re in a good position to help when you need someone to open up to about your business concerns.