Practicing Self-Care And Mindfulness as an Entrepreneur During COVID-19
Updated: Sep 5, 2020
Written by: Michelle Greene Rhodes, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As we navigate through these incredibly stressful and uncertain times, the idea of self-care may seem insignificant. However, entrepreneurs facing high degrees of psychological distress should prioritize self-care by investing in themselves. This will allow them to recharge and ensure that they are best equipped to handle the challenges of each day as their business adapts to the evolving economic conditions.
Entrepreneurism can often be lonely. Hence, it is important to seek support from a community network that gives a sense of connectedness for mental well-being. Given the state of ambiguity, it is crucial to provide emotional support by responding to the crisis with empathy and compassion. Entrepreneurs must strive to use positive coping mechanisms to combat negative emotions. They need to remind themselves to take time out of their busy schedules and put their mental health first. Self-care takes many forms, and it’s different for everyone. It can entail practicing hobbies such as gardening, drawing, cooking, bicycling, or even just taking a walk around the neighborhood.
"Incorporating physical activity in our schedule has multiple health benefits."
Simultaneously, it is important to have a positive mindset as individuals adapt to a new normal. Making a conscious effort to practice self-care and mindfulness is key. Meditation can help reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Additionally, exercise reduces stress by balancing cortisol levels in the body and is a great way to uplift one’s mood by healthily channeling one’s energy. Incorporating physical activity in our schedule has multiple health benefits. These include improvement in blood circulation, weight management and reduced risk of chronic illnesses. Additionally, exercising the brain by reading, playing puzzles and learning vocabulary increases blood flow to the areas of the brain associated with focusing on tasks. Read more about the benefits of meditation here
Maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourish the brain and protect it from oxidative stress. This can help prevent depression and cognitive impairment. Eating dark leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables, while avoiding sugars and flour can be beneficial. Meanwhile, healthy sleep of an adequate duration, sleeping pattern without fragmentation and deep sleep is essential to rejuvenate the body. Practicing a bedtime routine that removes anxiety-inducing objects from the bedroom and turning off digital devices a couple of hours before sleeping may significantly improve sleep quality.
Furthermore, it can be challenging to separate professional life from personal life working remotely. Hence, dedicating an office space will help to leave work behind when it is time to sign off. Meanwhile, turning off notifications on mobile devices may help prevent burnout and resist the urge to work beyond official work hours. In the long-run, these techniques can benefit individual mental health and assist entrepreneurs in overcoming challenges at work.
Michelle Greene Rhodes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Michelle G. Rhodes is a Corporate Wellness Consultant and is Certified in Managed Care and Licensed as a Registered Nurse. By combining her love for Managed Care/Population Health background with her innate ability to create educational programs and cost savings solutions that are uniquely designed for each employer, Michelle is sought after for her multiple successes in cost saving and exceeding targets. She has helped corporations craft wellness programs that offer definite returns on investments and assists them in meeting and exceeding their annual performance measures and goals. Michelle creates various wellness initiatives for awareness campaigns all the way to the creation of wellness culture transformations. Michelle Rhodes Media LLC is also a continuing education provider for Nurses, by the California Board of Nurses, and provide workshops for Nurses to learn continuously.
