Supporting our health and wellbeing as women in business should be a priority. As women, we tend to put others before ourselves. Looking after our children, partners, or parents can take up an exhausting amount of time and energy.

Our physical and mental health is intrinsically linked, and without a healthy mind, our body can suffer, and vice versa. A lack of vitality or motivation can have a detrimental impact on our business life and client relationships. When we take a holistic view (see our lives as a whole), it is easier to identify where we need to direct our momentum.

 

Why is a healthy mind so crucial for business?

A mental health foundation study (2018) found that 74% of people felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed and unable to cope.

As a solopreneur, this overwhelm can be crippling. An inability to meet your clients or customers’ demands adds to the anxiety, and you end up in a cycle of unease and fear.

Business development shows us how to grow and expand, but if we don’t have provisions to care for our personal development and mental health, any business growth will be ineffective.

What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candour, and more unashamed conversation.” Glenn Close.

We’ve all read the corporate world statistics where absence due to mental ill-health and sickness costs the UK economy more than £8 billion per year. Taking our health seriously has never been so important.

The self-reliance necessary to run a successful small business doesn’t mean we need to do everything independently. The Woman Who community is a perfect example of this. Talking about such topics as health and wellbeing brings any issues or concerns to the forefront. Through these conversations, we can offer valuable advice and support.

Switching our focus from goal setting and intentions to looking after our mental and physical health seems like a sensible transition, and that’s the theme we’re covering in the community throughout the month.

You may have spotted my post on LinkedIn at the start of February about my favourite tips for wellbeing:

  • I always make sure I get enough sleep (at least 7-8 hours a night)
  • I make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
  • I eat regularly and never after 7.30pm

I loved reading the responses to that post about our community members’ daily routines to boost their well-being. They were insightful.

For me, wellbeing involves getting outside for a walk in the fresh air at least once a day. Working from home due to the pandemic has resulted in me sat with my laptop at the kitchen table, often not realising how much time has passed by. I’ve therefore developed the habit of getting out for a walk amongst nature at the end of my working day…it sometimes involves listening to an audiobook which really is an uplifting escape!” Angela Rowley.

In Angela’s case, the mix of nature, exercise, and an audiobook provided her with a sustainable wellbeing routine.

Using technology may not feel conducive to good health, but our phones, iPad, and computers can offer us unique ways to switch off and recharge. Here are a few of our favourites:

  • Music apps such as Spotify allow us to take our music with us wherever we go.
  • Audiobooks are the perfect way to boost your mindset.
  • Podcasts provide valuable information about a wide range of wellbeing products and services we can access.
  • Zoom has the power to bring us all closer in these strange times.
  • Clubhouse offers a new audio alternative with great music, discussion and the ability to just listen in to great conversations.

 

The power of networking

Feeling isolated is a concern many self-employed women in business struggle with. Working alone doesn’t have to mean you are lonely—the Woman Who networking events allow hundreds of women to connect each month.

Not only do these online events provide a way to promote business products and services, but they are also the perfect way to flag up any worries or concerns.

In addition to networking and the Woman Who Academy, we also support fellow women in business through our series of I Am a Woman Who books.

 

Book launch

On Monday 8th March we will celebrate the launch of our fourth I Am a Woman Who book, highlighting the inspirational stories of women in business. Each contributor shares their business journey, their challenges (personally and in business), including any health issues and setbacks they’ve faced. Each story is honest and powerful.

The online event starts at 9.30am and closes at 11am. It includes networking opportunities and speakers, Claire Cahill, Sue Burton and Lucy McCarraher. We will also have interviews with the contributors to our latest I Am a Woman Whobook.

If you’re interested in joining us to celebrate International Women’s Day and our book launch, grab your ticket HERE.

 

Take control of your wellbeing this month

As part of our monthly health and wellbeing theme, we are delighted to share guest articles from our members on different aspects of looking after ourselves.

Nicole Huthwaite, Psychotherapist & Clinical Hypnotherapist, shares some of the common barriers we place in our own way when navigating our wellbeing.

Sue Tonks shares her thought-provoking article about the water we drink in her guest post, And You Thought Water was Just Water!

If you are a member of the Woman Who Academy and would like to submit a guest post in the future, please get in touch.

I hope you take time to prioritise yourself holistically this month and look forward to seeing you at our Woman Who Inspires online event to celebrate International Women’s Day and our book launch. Tickets available HERE.

 

What next?

If you’re looking for a community that encourages you, helps you power up your brand, and provides opportunities to boost your business’s visibility, then the Woman Who Achieves Academy is for you.

It’s the place to go to Learn, Grow, and receive mentoring Support to ACHIEVE.

  • There are no monthly fees (unless you wish to spread your one-off subscription payment).
  • You are free to engage at your own pace.
  • It’s a way for me to share my knowledge through group mentoring.
  • There are no renewals or annual fees. Once you’ve paid your one-off subscription, you’re in for life!

Join the Woman Who Achieves Academy today and give your goal setting journey the best possible start.