{"id":3337,"date":"2020-04-26T12:07:05","date_gmt":"2020-04-26T02:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adelaideprivatewealth.com.au\/networking-to-improve-business-and-mental-health-outcomes-even-in-lockdown\/"},"modified":"2020-04-26T12:07:05","modified_gmt":"2020-04-26T02:37:05","slug":"networking-to-improve-business-and-mental-health-outcomes-even-in-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adelaideprivatewealth.com.au\/networking-to-improve-business-and-mental-health-outcomes-even-in-lockdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Networking to improve business and mental health outcomes (even in lockdown)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Running a business can feel lonely at the best of times, and a lack of self-care can quickly cause mental health to suffer. Networking should be your first port of call, even under new lockdown restrictions.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0recent University of Melbourne report<\/a>\u00a0demonstrated that, under normal circumstances, almost one third of business owners experience a high level of psychological distress.<\/p>\n With Beyond Blue set to introduce a dedicated coronavirus mental health support line for SMEs in Australia, and new\u00a0measures introduced just to keep small businesses afloat<\/a>, it\u2019s safe to say that the mental health of business owners has never been worse.<\/p>\n In these tough times, turning to fellow business owners is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to manage stress and anxiety \u2013 and the best way to do so is through networking.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Even when business feels like a disconnected experience, remembering that there are others in the same boat is highly beneficial.<\/p>\n Patrice O\u2019Brien, Beyond Blue General Manager of Workplace, Partnerships and Engagement, finds huge value in business owners connecting with those around them.<\/p>\n \u201cBusiness leaders often take major decisions on their own and, to a degree, feel a need to separate themselves from their employees to maintain their impartiality when making those decisions.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, having a network of colleagues outside the business, who can relate to the issues a small business owner faces day-to-day, can be a great support,\u201d said O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n This has never been truer with our current economic landscape, so if you\u2019ve had to make tough decisions in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding support in fellow business owners can help lift the burden.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to keep in mind that creating a business-related support network is about more than discussing the work at hand.<\/p>\n Connecting with others can protect against the onset of anxiety and depression through something as simple as discussing common business woes.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving a network of people who you can talk to about work challenges and being able to share your own coping strategies can do wonders for your mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cBy sharing these challenges with others, you realise that you\u2019re not alone and that others care about you and what you are trying to achieve,\u201d O\u2019Brien said.<\/p>\n Business owners aren\u2019t the only ones suffering mental health issues in the workplace, and networking can be just as valuable for employees.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving contacts outside of the work environment to share life and work\u2019s challenges and successes are well worth nurturing.<\/p>\n \u201cThey might be former colleagues who understand the work dynamic or contacts who can bring perspectives from other industries,\u201d O\u2019Brien said.<\/p>\n O\u2019Brien also points out that networking can also provide a variety of worthwhile opportunities for employees.<\/p>\n \u201cThese relationships can enhance the employee\u2019s professional and career experiences and also help to keep their mental health in good order.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a business owner or employee, there are a variety of great\u00a0resources<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0communities<\/a>\u00a0for those interested in networking, but you can\u2019t do much unless you get yourself out there.<\/p>\n For some business owners, though, the thought of attending these events is anxiety-inducing in its own right. O\u2019Brien suggests that these individuals may be pleasantly surprised after attending their first event.<\/p>\n \u201cFor many people who are stressed about attending a networking event, those feelings may subside once they settle into the networking event and have conversations with other participants.\u201d<\/p>\n While anxiety can be unpleasant for business owners, most instances can be treated with some simple self-care.<\/p>\n Rather than immediately seeking out professional help, O\u2019Brien provides some simple steps for those experiencing mild to moderate anxiety:<\/p>\n Slow breathing.\u00a0Try deliberately slowing down your breathing. Count to three as you breathe in slowly and then count to three as you breathe out slowly<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Stay in the present moment.\u00a0Anxiety can make your thoughts live in a terrible future that hasn\u2019t happened yet. Try to bring yourself back to where you are. Practicing meditation can help<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Keep active, eat healthy foods, go out into nature, spend time with family and friends, reduce stress and do the activities you enjoy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Learn from others.\u00a0Talking with others who also experience anxiety \u2013 or are going through something similar \u2013 can help you feel less alone. Visit\u00a0Beyond Blue\u2019s Online Forums<\/a>\u00a0to connect with others<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Businesses are currently experiencing unprecedented issues in Australia and New Zealand, whether from unforeseen closures or sharp drops in demand.<\/p>\n With no end date in sight, mental health is often one of the first casualties for business owners.<\/p>\n If recent events are proving too much and self-care isn\u2019t providing the relief you need, seeking support from a professional is always the best course of action.<\/p>\n In Australia, you can seek help via the\u00a0Beyond Blue website<\/a>, or call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.<\/p>\n New Zealand business owners can reach out via the\u00a0Mental Health Foundation<\/a>, or by calling Lifeline Aotearoa on 0800 543 354.<\/p>\n Source : MYOB March 2020<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Reproduced with the permission of MYOB. This article by\u00a0Patrick O’Loughlin<\/a> was originally published at\u00a0https:\/\/www.myob.com\/au\/blog\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Important:<\/span> Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author.<\/span><\/p>\n Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents\/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow networking supports positive mental health<\/h3>\n
Take the time to develop a rapport with the business community<\/h3>\n
Employees need to reap the benefits of networking too<\/h3>\n
Learning to get yourself out there<\/h3>\n
How you can manage your own anxiety<\/h3>\n
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Seek help when you see warning signs<\/h3>\n
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