Stress may be an unavoidable part of an entrepreneur’s life. In fact, sometimes a small amount of “good” stress can be a motivator to make great things happen.
However, too much stress can be very detrimental. You might be a stressed small business owner if you answer “yes” to any of the following questions:
- Are you always tired?
- Do you get sick a lot? Are you always suffering from colds and flus?
- Do you often suffer from headaches and aches and pains?
- Have there been changes in your eating and sleeping patterns?
If left unchecked, stress can lead to burnout and serious psychological and physical problems: including feelings of overwhelm and disinterest, weight gain or loss, and even organ failure. It’s important to acknowledge stress before the effects become irreversible and so that it doesn’t negatively affect both your business and personal lives.
Here are some ways small business owners can combat stress:
Wake up an hour early
This might seem counter-intuitive, especially if you’re feeling tired all of the time due to stress, but waking up early so that you can meditate, read, exercise, eat a proper breakfast or just do something for yourself that helps you ease into your day will make the rest of your day much more pleasant.
Make your health a priority
Make diet, exercise and sleep priorities and your body will reward you. Get healthy and you will have more focus, more resilience, more endurance, and suddenly all those stressful little problems won’t seem so monumental any more. Consider hiring a personal trainer or nutritionist if you just can’t seem to get a handle on your health.
Get organized
Clean up your office, your schedule, your closet, everything. Rely on routines and systems. Delegate as much as you can, stop procrastinating and practice time management. Figure out your priorities and learn to say “no” to people and things that don’t serve you. Set boundaries and get brutal when it comes to protecting them. If you have trouble figuring out your business goals and reaching them, consider getting a mentor or business coach.
Develop a positive attitude
Don’t watch the news if it depresses you. Learn new things and take time out to do something creative and energizing. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you.
Need a hand with your business’ brand? Call Kim Speed at Purple Moon Creative today!
