Practical Tips from Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
Mental health isn’t something that should only be spoken about during awareness days or weeks, it’s an everyday priority for everyone. It’s especially important for busy entrepreneurs and small business owners who are juggling multiple roles. During Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 (12th to 18th May), I shared some bite-sized tips to help my clients (and myself!) maintain better mental wellbeing. I thought it might be helpful to gather these into one handy resource:
The Honesty Check-In
How are you doing? No, really, how are you actually doing?
It’s amazing how often we answer “fine” on autopilot. One simple but powerful practice is spending 30 minutes (set a timer – no more than that!) writing down everything buzzing around your head. This is sometimes referred to as “info-dumping” or “brain-dumping”. Getting those thoughts onto paper can be surprisingly revealing and often relieves some of the mental pressure.
The Stress Container
Think of yourself as a bucket (stay with me here!). Throughout your day, week, and month, stresses pour in. This is normal and expected because we all have stresses. The problems begin when we don’t have effective ways to release that stress, and eventually, our bucket overflows. Check out this short 3-minute video for more details.
Coping mechanisms are different for everyone. One person may prefer getting out into nature, while someone else would rather listen to some very loud music. Some other options to release stress before reaching that overflow point might include:
- A brisk walk around the block
- Five minutes of deep breathing
- Stepping away from your screen to make a proper cup of tea
- A quick chat with a supportive friend
Tackling Overwhelm
When your stress container overflows, overwhelm isn’t far behind. As someone who works with sole traders and micro business owners, I see firsthand how quickly administrative tasks can pile up and create that dreaded feeling of “too much.”
Remember that delegating isn’t admitting defeat, it’s a strategic business decision! (And yes, that’s my not-so-subtle reminder that outsourcing those admin tasks might be exactly what your mental health needs.)
The Power of Half an Hour
Good mental wellbeing doesn’t require hours of meditation or expensive retreats. Even finding 30 minutes in your day can make a significant difference. This could be:
- 10 minutes of morning mindfulness (a bit of a tongue twister if nothing else!)
- A proper lunch break away from your desk
- Boogieing in the kitchen while making dinner (my personal fave!)
- A quick catch-up with a friend
You can take this time in one go or split it into smaller chunks throughout your day.
Self-Care Isn't Selfish
The journey to proper self-care and self-love isn’t always straightforward, especially for those of us who are wired to prioritise others or our work. Take baby steps and be kind to yourself. With consistent practice, self-belief, self-respect, and self-love will follow.
Remember: It's a Journey, Not a Destination
Mental health isn’t a straight line from “bad” to “good” and then you’re sorted forever. It’s more like a very wiggly path with twists and turns, ups and downs. The good news is that with support and the right strategies, everyone can build resilience and improve our overall wellbeing.
I hope these strategies resonate with you, and remember, if administrative overwhelm is affecting your mental health, let’s chat about how I can help lighten that load.