By: Cheryl Accardi
Do you know what the definition of success is? The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
It doesn’t say it has to be a life-changing purpose. It can be as simple as getting out of bed in the morning. That is a success.
When you are battling mental health issues, little things are big things. Being in your head crippled by your thoughts can make success seem unattainable, but if you shift your perception, it is possible.
Shift it to gratitude. Shift it to celebrating the little things. Shift it to have grace for yourself.
Research by psychiatrist Dr. Michael Freeman, who specializes in working with mental health issues and illness in business, showed that 49 percent of the 242 entrepreneurs reported having one or more lifetime mental health conditions. Also, entrepreneurs were more likely to report a lifetime of depression (30 percent), attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (29 percent), bipolar spectrum disorder (12 percent), and substance abuse (11 percent).
Start with celebrating the little things. Leaving the house to get groceries, take a shower, or go out with a friend. For some of us, doing any of those things can be challenging, but when you complete the challenge, you will feel invigorated.
Baby steps are still a step in the right direction. Keep going and make your mental health part of your success story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cheryl is the Founder and President of Anxiety Aide. She is a former broadcaster and marketer who has more than twenty-five years experience. Directing local, regional and national media relations, event planning, marketing, branding, community relations and corporate sponsorships for top tier clients across the country. Cheryl has represented everyone from Fortune 500 companies to many major reality TV stars and Country Music Artists.
With all her outward success, Cheryl had a dark secret, she had suffered from panic attacks since college Cheryl had managed to always hide how she was suffering from panic attacks. Fast forward 30 years and not only was she still battling panic attacks so was her son. Recently she discovered that her daughter started having panic attacks in middle school. School counselors confirmed that panic attacks are a daily occurrence for many children that age and Cheryl felt called to action. She walked away from her lucrative business, seeking the best and brightest scientist, doctors and formulators in their fields to develop a natural product to give some portable relief when anxiety and panic are on attack. The result is Panic Aide. Every bottle sold will benefit mental health charities with 10% dedicated to helping fellow sufferers.
Cheryl is a native New Yorker but after 30 years in the Dallas area she is now a true Texan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Journalism from Evangel University in Missouri. Cheryl is a mother of four children. Follow her on Instagram @cherylpanics and @anxietyaide.
