An article by Beyond Blue
How small-business owners can manage their mental health during the coronavirus
Small-business owners have been left reeling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether your business has closed or is still operating, here are some strategies to help you through the toughest of times.
Small-business owners have been left reeling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether your business has closed or is still operating, here are some strategies to help you through the toughest of times.
Australian small-business owners have been among those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. Like many others, you may be facing the immediate financial stress of shutting up shop or reduced turnover, as well as applying for government assistance (often for the first time) and dealing with the emotional impact of closing a business you love. You’re also no doubt concerned about your employees who may be dealing with losing their jobs or a reduction in hours.
The general uncertainty about how the coronavirus situation might affect you and your business in the weeks and months ahead can have a huge impact mentally, emotionally and physically, which is why taking care of yourself now is so important.
Below, we detail some immediate coping strategies, and provide information about where to turn for additional support.
Support your staff
Many small-business owners are naturally concerned about the ongoing health and wellbeing of the staff members they have stood down. You can help your staff by:
- Reaching out to them individually to express your concern for their wellbeing and offer emotional support.
- Creating camaraderie among your staff by bringing them together using group-chat tools such as Zoom or WhatsApp.
- Sharing resources that you may have found useful.
- Accessing government assistance that may enable you to support your staff.
Looking after yourself
- It’s equally important to take care of yourself physically and mentally.
- Try to maintain perspective – this situation is temporary.
- Structure your days as much as possible.
- Establish regular sleeping patterns and make sure you’re getting enough rest.
- Find a way to exercise regularly.
- Moderate the amount of news you consume and instead focus some of that time on your own wellbeing.
- Each day, try to something that makes you feel good and something that makes you feel a sense of accomplishment.
- Investigate therapeutic activities such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga.
Access emotional support
- Seeking out support, both practical and emotional, by talking to other people is one way to help you make sense of your situation.
- In addition to speaking to family, friends and colleagues, consider reaching out to fellow small-business owners who can relate to your specific circumstances.
- You may like to share your story on the dedicated Beyond Blue forums thread, Coping during the coronavirus outbreak .
Prepare for life after COVID-19
For those whose businesses have been forced to close, and those who find themselves with extra time on their hands, it’s also important to remember that there will be opportunities to get back to work. In the meantime, there are several ways you can use the time to focus on the future.
- Complete any outstanding administrative activities, such as tax reporting or updating your business plan, so you are ready for the next chapter in your professional life.
- Enrol in an online training course or conduct online research into your sector so you can return to work with new knowledge and expertise.
- Share ideas with loyal and trusted staff members who may be able to assist you when it’s time to start working again.
- If your business is still operating or could be revived in the future, use this time to beef up your online presence, including your website and social-media profile. If you’ve always wanted to trade online but haven’t had the time, now is an ideal opportunity to get organised.
- Maintain contact with your customers via email lists, social media and signage (if applicable). Share your business journey with your community in order to retain customer loyalty.
If you need assistance please visit the dedicated Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. Trained mental health professionals are available to talk to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via phone.
