Why it’s important for small business owners to “switch off” from time to time

Running a small business is a big job. 

Long hours and stressful schedules can have an impact on a small business owners mental wellbeing. There are so many things to worry about as a business owner – cash flow, employees, bills – it’s a miracle they get any sleep at all! 

That’s why it’s so crucial for small business owners to take control of their mental health before they burnout. Here are some good tips on how to “switch off”.

Turn off your devices. Yes, ALL your devices

We use technology so much that it’s become a normal part of our day-to-day. Laptops, mobiles, tablets, smart watches – almost everything we interact with on a day to day basis is technology based. 

The important thing to remember is that they DO have an off button and you CAN use it when you need to “switch off” (literally). When you get home, make it a rule to put your phone in another room and don’t touch it for a certain number of hours. 

No messages, calls, or notifications can be a good way to unwind for the day.

Leave work at a set time every day

This can be one of the hardest to achieve but it’s arguably the most important. Small Business owners need to understand that the work will never end. You will never finish ALL the work you need to do, that’s impossible. So, you need to commit to leaving at a certain time to give your brain a chance to recharge. 

Leave the office and spend time with friends and family, see a movie, go for a run – whatever it takes to get your mind off work. You’ll be amazed at how much more productive you’ll be the next day after “switching off”, even if it’s only for a few hours.

What happens at work, stays at work

The above step won’t work if you end up taking your work home with you. Leave the laptop in the office and commit to not checking emails on your phone when you get home. If you work from home, then be sure to keep your laptop in your home office or designated work space. 

It’s important that you can separate your work and home life to properly switch off.

Final Thoughts

It can take discipline to properly switch your brain off, but once you’ve mastered it, you and your business will reap the benefits. A healthy mind can lead to a more productive work life and more profitable business.