2020 - It's been a tough year

For many people 2020 has been a year that we will always remember - and not in a good way. The year we all made history, a pandemic influenced our lives and we were told when and how we could and couldn’t operate our businesses, and who we could and couldn’t see.

Whilst some sectors of the equestrian industry such as livery yards were still able to operate, albeit with a lot of changes, others, such as riding schools bore the brunt of the financial impact and many have lost, or face losing their business and livelihoods.

The impact that this has on many is yet to be documented, and the true extent of the damage in terms of both economically and the knock on effect on mental health will not be revealed for quite some time.

During this pandemic people are struggling and we should all be supporting each other where we can.

The stark reality is that following this year it is likely that there will be many more, and if you are being affected by mental health or well-being issues then you are not alone.

When it comes to our mental health, recognising, or admitting we’re not 100% or ‘not ourselves’ isn’t always that easy. When we realise or admit we need some support, what do we do then?

Employers Minds was created to support the mental health and well-being of employers and also to help employers to support their employees.

As an employer it is easy to get caught up in worrying about everyone else and feeling responsible, but it is important to look after yourself too. There are a number of things that we can do to help our own well-being.

Take some time out each day

Whether it is a walk with the dog, a hack on your own, a bath, spending some time with your family or enjoying a glass of something in an evening – make a few minutes for you to enjoy and reflect on the day.

Planning

We can all be guilty of procrastinating, but putting those jobs off that you don’t want to tackle will only add to that feeling of stress and pressure.

If you find you don’t have time to do those extra tasks, then set aside some dedicated admin time each week where your team will know you are not available. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and you will feel better for it.

Eating well

Being healthy in body helps with the mind. Looking after you physically will help have a positive impact on your mental well-being.

Talk to someone

It’s not always easy to discuss how you are feeling but it is important to share. A problem shared may not be a problem halved, but it helps.

Find out more about Employers Minds.