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Starting a business is an exciting but challenging adventure. Add in a new baby, and this challenge can seem even more daunting. Do not let that cute little face intimidate you. You can start a successful company and still tend to your new family member if you tap into these four recommendations from Teton Women's Health Center.
 
1. Create a Schedule
While you will often do double duty as a parent and entrepreneur, creating a schedule helps you and your partner work together to maximize time. It ensures all family duties are addressed, your little one is tended to and you still have time dedicated solely to your business development.
 
Compare your two schedules, including baby duties, work, household errands, chores, and extracurriculars. Develop a family schedule that allots baby-free time for you to focus solely on your business.
 
2. Streamline Work Tasks
Finding strategic ways to streamline work projects helps your company progress faster and gives you more time to snuggle your new bundle of joy. A great example is applying for an employer identification number. An EIN is a tax ID number that the IRS uses to identify your company and track payroll taxes. Applying for one saves you time and energy down the road when you file your federal and state taxes, be it annually or quarterly.
 
Marketing is another area to streamline business procedures. Complete a thorough market research analysis to get a comprehensive understanding of your audience and their needs. Knowing this data right away helps you create effective marketing campaigns so you don't waste time and energy on unimpactful advertising.
 
A well-designed logo is essential to separate your business from the competition, build brand awareness and make a strong first impression on consumers. Instead of spending time and money hiring a design company, you should use an online logo maker to make it yourself. There are varieties of designs, fonts, and colors; you simply choose an icon, style, and text to create a unique logo. According to one report, using a signature color for your company can enhance brand recognition by 80%, so use a signature color with your logo and throughout your products, marketing, and website design.
 
3. Invest in Baby Accessories
A few quality products can put your baby at ease during the day. Not only can a white noise machine help your baby sleep better, but it also drowns out work noise, like typing, phone calls, or music. Just be sure the noise is less than 50 decibels. Otherwise, it could damage your baby's hearing.
 
Purchase a quality rocker for your little one as well. Rockers today offer loads of bells and whistles, such as vibrations, Bluetooth players, and built-in noise machines. This investment also puts your baby to sleep so you can complete items on your to-do list.
 
4. Find a Reliable Sitter
There are times when both you and your spouse have commitments and need an extra hand to help with the baby. Find a trustworthy babysitter who lives close by. Friends and family members make excellent sitters; otherwise, find a young adult in your neighborhood. Community websites often have options for parents to post about local sitter recommendations, or you can search an online babysitter directory.
 
Being proactive helps you find balance during this challenging stage of life. By making strategic choices, you can successfully launch a business while still giving your little one the love and attention he or she needs.

Article courtesy of Daisy Jones

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We know that physical health is crucial, but so too is our mental health. With the stress of daily life and so many of us pressed for time, it’s difficult to find ways to enhance or implement changes to boost our mental health. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to do just that. With a little planning and an open mind, you can live your best life.
 
Set small goals
 
Many people are perfectionists to some degree, but it can be difficult to live up to our own expectations. Knowing how to set small goals and work to attain them will help you derive satisfaction, feel a sense of pride, and will keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Keeping realistic expectations is one of the keys to success, no matter what the goal is.
 
Take a new approach at work
 
Work is one of the top stressors for adults, and many Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs. Most likely, it’s not the actual work that causes unhappiness so much as how we manage our feelings and behaviors related to our job. Simple tweaks like adjusting your perspective with a monotonous task, or remembering to slow down, or even changing your work schedule slightly can make a significant impact.
 
Outsource tasks
 
Aside from work, personal responsibilities are right up there in the list of top stressors. Yes, we all have these stressors, but implementing certain hacks can reduce frustration or even eliminate unnecessary stress. For example, if you struggle with getting home to walk your dog every evening, consider hiring a dog walker. If you’re overwhelmed with making dinner every night of the week, try meal-prepping, or turn to a meal delivery service.
 
Exercise
 
Getting in daily exercise is a well-known mood booster, and it’s especially effective if you spend time outside. Soaking up the sunshine can improve positive thoughts and keep you looking forward. Remember those small goals we talked about? Well, daily movement is one of them. Make an appointment with yourself to spend at least 30 minutes every day walking, going for a run, taking a hike, bicycling or enjoying a fitness class. You’ll enjoy an improved mood and better sleep.
 
Learn to relax and focus
 
Meditation and yoga can help you learn to focus on the present moment, boost your energy levels, relieve anxiety, and learn breathing techniques that will allow you to relax just about anywhere you are. These techniques are especially helpful when you’re dealing with work or family frustrations.
 
Put work into relationships
 
Whether it’s with a significant other or a family member, working on your relationships can help you achieve happiness or closure. Have a formerly close friend you’ve lost touch with? Write a letter, or make a phone call. Keeping healthy relationships alive and well will help you feel better on a daily basis.
 
Avoid stress triggers
 
In the age of technology, when everyone has a smartphone at hand, it can be difficult to avoid stressful interactions, particularly when it comes to social media, which can be especially harmful to people who suffer from anxiety or depression.  Be sure to take care when using these modes of interaction, especially if you know it triggers uncomfortable feelings.
 
Journal
 
Not everyone is comfortable with talking about their feelings or issues, and that’s okay. Instead, start a journal and write down negative thoughts instead of venting about them to others. Relieving yourself of those thoughts will allow you to focus on the positive things in your life.
 
Go Back to School
 
Many people find completing a degree to be a good way to boost mental health. While increasing your education can certainly help you earn more money, it also keeps you focused and engaged, which is precisely the kind of mental exercise that will make you feel better about yourself.  There are plenty of online programs that work around your schedule, so it is easier than ever to start or finish a college degree.
 
We’re all navigating a crazy time in our lives, which is why devoting time to our mental well-being is so necessary. Slow down, consider these tips, and see what you can do to find calm and peace in your life.
 
 Article courtesy of Elena Stewart