Yes. 2020 so far has been a bit much. A seemingly non-stop downer of a news cycle. Hence why lately I’ve been focused on entrepreneurs and mental health, and mental health as a whole.

Last year, the BDC did a study on entrepreneurs and mental health. Not to be a “Debbie Downer” myself, the results were less than impressive.

Here’s what they found:

✅ Two thirds feel depressed at least once a week

✅ Entrepreneurs who are female, whose enterprises are in the growth or early stages (with fewer employees or less revenue) are more likely to report mental health issues.

✅ Nearly half say that mental health issues interfere with their ability to work

✅ One in five feel satisfied with their mental health less than once a week.

✅ And among the general population, eight per cent of Canadians perceive their mental health as poor or fair.

And that was last year. Add the economic uncertainty of Covid-19 into the mix, plus global societal unrest – and I imagine those numbers are much higher.

Add Self-Care and Gratitude to Your Daily Mix

Not to sound hippy-dippy, but self-care and gratitude are so important. They both help clear the head and focus the mind. And the gratitude part especially helps remind you that, “Hey, you know what? It’s not ALL bad.”

That’s why I took a break this week from regular scheduled programming on the “I’m a Millionaire. So Now What?” podcast. Over the past month or so I’ve been interviewing member of the Self-Made Nation about how they deal with stress, anxiety, doubt, and even unfathomable loss. All incredibly valuable conversations that provided much food for thought.

But this week, I wanted to just spend some time being thankful. For each and every member of the Self-Made Nation. For the fact that I’m blessed with the ability to run, to get outside in the fresh air and sunshine, and to feel safe doing so.

We need to nurture our bodies to nurture our minds, because as business owners, so much of our value is in the clarity of our thoughts. Running for me becomes a kind of “moving meditation.” Why is that relevant? Well, there’s sure been a lot going on in the world. So much to process outside of the usual business or family stress.

It’s Ok to Be Sad

I'm saddened by recent events that have happened in our true north here in Canada on the East Coast - the tragic human losses in Nova Scotia. I'm thinking about the events happening south of the border, the ebb and flow, and how that's affecting us here. I’m of course sad about the pandemic and how it’s impacted all of us. It seems, at times, like the entire world is grieving.

And I, for one, am considering how I'm showing up in the world. I'm processing how I'm showing up for my family, my friends, my clients, and my prospective clients. And maybe you're doing the same thing.

And that’s why I run. It allows me to set goals and accomplish them. It gets me outdoors in the fresh air (though I am admittedly a bit of a “fair-weather” runner!), and it allows me to sweat out some of that sadness or stress over what’s been happening these past 6 months or so.

Maybe you do yoga? Or other types of cardio? Maybe you practise meditation (the real kind – not the jogging kind)? Even a daily 20-minute nap is part of a self-care routine! Dreaming works out a lot of stress and can help make sense of any mental chaos clouding up your thinking.

Whatever you do – keep doing it.

Those “entrepreneurs and mental health” statistics I listed above are important. Because at the end of the day, we're all human beings. We're human beings before we are a CEO. We're human beings before we are a founder. We are human beings before we're a business owner.

And that’s why when I’m running, pounding the gravel and the concrete with my running shoes on the open road with my mind free from clutter, I'm so incredibly grateful for this gift. The gift of gratitude and presence.

I would also LOVE to share YOUR story. If you’re interested, drop me a line.

“I’m a Millionaire! So Now What?” is brought to you by Double to Sell - Canada's Premier Invitation-ONLY workshop for business owners wanting a cash-rich exit in 10 years or less. For more information, or to register, please visit the “Double to Sell” website.