For those of you who read my articles regularly, you will know how much I value collaborative relationships. It has been a big part of my business life since I first started in business in 1982. So this weeks article – the 5th of 2021 – has the main input from people I trust and respect on the importance of having a healthy body and a healthy mind, which leads to a healthy business and ultimately a healthy life.
Andrea A Smith – Stress Coach and delivers stress management for business owners and CEO’s says:
Mental health is something we as business owners all possess and need. When the going is good, we have a sense of direction and purpose, feel that we can cope with whatever ups and downs life throws at us. But just as our physical health fluctuates, so too our mental health goes through ups and downs. Raising awareness of potential mental health issues for us as business owners is a part of together dealing with the challenging issues that can arrive.
We have now been in lockdown for weeks and months now, the uncertainty and concern around our current situation, business and our long-term future has generated a whole mix of fear, worry, insecurity and related physical symptoms. For many, this extended period of isolation and lack of contact has created stress, anxiety, boredom and the accentuation of underlying conditions, that previously were manageable.
In normal circumstances, we all have tough times when we feel low, stressed or frightened. Usually, those feelings pass, but sometimes they develop into anxiety or depression. All of these can affect our ability to engage and perform at work at a consistently high level.
Workplace wellbeing or healthy mind, refers to a goal of being watchful of, and feeling supported and included, particularly in the more difficult times.
Rick Craft who has a Diploma in Clinical and Pastoral Counselling and an Anxiety Coach says: “You cannot look after anybody else if you don’t look after yourself”
Looking after your mental health is ever more important as we go through these extraordinary times. We all have responsibilities, people that rely on us, and having the best mind-set benefits your relationships, your sleep patterns, your ability to focus and therefore your ability to make good decisions. This enables you to cope better with the current challenges of life, be they at home or at work. Having a healthy mind directly impacts on your quality of life. Having a healthy mind can have an effect on your finances
Running a business is made so much harder by Covid restrictions. Managing your suppliers and customers is more challenging. By caring for your mental health you put yourself in the best place to come out of this year feeling mentally in control, feeling mentally well and still with a thriving business. We are here to support your mental health with the goal of Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Business.
The first wealth is health.– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Richard Ranson – Health and Wellbeing Educator and Nutrition coach says: Good health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
How healthy are you feeling right now? Do you have a zest for life? Do you find yourself bouncing with joy when you get out of bed every morning? If not why not?
Eating foods that are good for you and staying physically active may help you reach and maintain a healthy weight and improve how you feel. You also may find that moving more and eating better could help you keep up with the demands of your busy life and be there for the people who depend on you. In addition to helping you reach and maintain a healthy weight, staying active and eating better may lower your chances of developing serious health conditions. But improving your health isn’t the only reason to move more and eat better. You may also have:
❖ More energy for work, play, and family
❖ Feel better about yourself
❖ Manage stress better
❖ Set a good example for your children, friends, and other family members
❖ Tone your body—without losing your curves
❖ Your family, friends, and coworkers can be a great source of support as you work to adopt healthier habits.
❖ Ask them to join your efforts. Being healthy is important for them, too.
❖ By making healthy choices together, you may find it’s easier to move more and eat better.
As you will know I focus on the healthy business part of the equation, and without a healthy body and a healthy mind, it is impossible to have a healthy business – or a truly healthy life. You may disagree with me, but if your thinking is not right and you are not in a positive frame of mind, you will not act in the right way and therefore will not attract clients and business to you. If your body is not healthy, you will be very lethargic and then not able to perform at the optimum level.
It all points to your body and mind working together to ensure you can create a healthy business and a healthy life. We all need help to get to where we want to go and I can highly recommend my trusted colleagues who have helped put this article together. Please don’t try and be all things to all people. Use professionals in their field to help you build a better business and life. The links for their Linkedin profiles are shown below
This article was first published on LinkedIn by Richard Knight on 01/02/2021