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Originally Posted On: http://fempreneur.com/unusual-ideas-to-improve-your-mental-health-as-a-female-entrepreneur/
We’ve just made it out of the pandemic, and now we’re being bombarded with rumors of an upcoming economic recession. Can’t we catch a break?
If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, and you want to prevent these challenges from affecting your business as a female entrepreneur, you need to be proactive and prioritize your well-being.
In this article, we are sharing some of our favorite, lesser-known strategies for female entrepreneurs to improve their mental health.
Be Childlike
It doesn’t matter if you’re 25 or 52 — being an adult is hard. Between the demands of running your business and the challenges of maintaining a house or apartment, it’s easy to feel like you’re always racing against the clock.
Maybe you are currently working a full-time job, and you want to be more productive. Perhaps you are running your business the same way each year, and you aren’t focusing on the key tasks that will help you scale. Or maybe you want to find more time to travel and spend quality time with your family.
A simple way to take a break and care for your mental health is to act like a child for a few minutes. Think about what you used to do for fun as a child. Did you jump on the bed? Dance? Play with playdough?
Pick an activity that sounds fun, and do it! You’ll be amazed at how quickly tapping into your inner child can positively affect your mood and stress levels.
Sing or Hum
Singing and humming are both effective — and totally free — ways to boost your mental health. Singing and humming can trigger the release of feel-good chemical messengers like endorphins and dopamine. They also help to lower cortisol levels and combat stress.
Remember that the benefits of singing and humming apply to everyone, no matter how musically gifted (or nongifted) they are. Do you feel too shy to sing or hum? Get in your car and go for a drive while you crank up the stereo, or hop in the shower and sing while the water runs.
When you prioritize your mental health, you will have more time to enjoy your mornings, time to exercise, and take your dog for a long walk during the day. You will find the time to take a family vacation, and find the time to take a long break to enjoy the holidays. As Talia Beckett Davis shares, she finally wrote the FEMPRENEUR book, and became a best-selling author on Amazon, once she prioritized her mental health.
This is possible for you as well, when you become very conscious of how you’re spending your time and eliminate guilt for taking a break. Time is the most precious resource we have, and getting back your time is priceless.
Clean the House
That’s right — everyone’s least-favorite chore can actually have mental health benefits. Cleaning the bathroom — or any other room of your house that needs some TLC — gives you a chance to take a break from the grind and focus on something else. It requires you to put your phone down, step away from your computer, and do something physical for a while.
Hold an Ice Cube
Traditional mindfulness practices like sitting and meditating might be challenging for you. However, this ice cube exercise is an excellent alternative.
Grab an ice cube out of the freezer, then hold it in your hand and pay attention to it — and only it — as it melts. While the ice cube melts, think about the sensations you’re experiencing.
How does it feel as it changes from solid to liquid? How does your hand feel holding it? What does the ice cube look like? Does it have a smell? Use as many sensations as possible to tap into your body and give your brain a break.
Mental Health Matters
It’s easy to neglect your mental health as a female entrepreneur. No matter how busy you get, though, you must take care of yourself. It’s better to proactively prioritize your well-being now than wait until things get out of hand.
