Building a business, being a business owner… can be super stressful!
No matter what anyone might say, I can vouch for it.
17 years being a business coach, having built 5 businesses, having trained more than 3 lakh entrepreneurs, and coached more than 6K… I am aware of exactly how stressful it is!
Juggling ALL the business stuff – tight deadlines, money worries, dealing with team… it gets overwhelming. And that is why I am going to address this in this blog today.
The feeling of exhaustion is bad news for any human being, particularly business owners – it messes with your productivity and thinking skills.
But don’t stress! (Well, at least not too much.)
There are many easy ways to manage stress in your life. Simple strategies that I follow that you too can work into your busy schedule.
When you’re an entrepreneur dealing with constant stresses and pressures, it’s important to have some simple yet effective coping strategies in your back pocket. Deep breathing exercises are one of the best stress management techniques to turn to when you need an instant reset. It’s simple yet effective! It helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety. Try taking a few minutes each day to breathe deeply and relax.
No fancy equipment or paid programs required – deep breathing is free and you can do it anytime, anywhere. The next time you feel your stress levels spike, just pause for a few minutes and focus on your breathing.
Exercise isn’t just good for your body; it’s great for your mind too. It releases endorphins, which are natural stress relievers. You don’t have to punish yourself with gruelling workouts to reap the benefits either. Gentle exercises like yoga, stretching routines, or even just a 20-minute walk around the neighbourhood can provide a healthy outlet for releasing pent-up tension. The key is moving your body regularly.
A balanced diet can significantly impact your stress levels. I kid you not! I have reaped its benefits first-hand. Eating healthy foods provides your body with the necessary nutrients to cope with stress effectively. Processed foods and sugary snacks may provide a temporary energy boost, but they can leave you crashing hard soon after!
Instead, focus on eating plenty of nutrient-dense whole foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and complex carbs. These healthy fuel sources provide your body with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients it needs to handle stressful situations.
Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Poor time management is one of the biggest stressors for entrepreneurs. When you’re constantly rushing, missing deadlines, and procrastinating on important tasks, it’s impossible to not feel stressed.
Start by creating a realistic weekly schedule that accounts for all your responsibilities – business duties, meetings, personal commitments, etc. Prioritize your tasks based on importance and urgency. Tackle the highest priority items first instead of letting them linger.
Don’t overcommit yourself either. It’s okay to say no to extra projects or commitments that will spread you too thin. Guarding your schedule ensures you have the time and energy to focus on priorities.
Meditation is a powerful tool for stress management. I know it can seem a little “new-agey”, but hear me out. Taking just 5-10 minutes per day to clear your mind through meditation provides a powerful mental reset during stressful times.
The practice of meditating helps you focus your thoughts and temporarily tune out all the noise and anxieties swirling around in your head. It’s an invaluable coping mechanism for dealing with stress. Even small bouts of meditation have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and negative thought patterns, and promote overall well-being.
As an entrepreneur, it’s tempting to power through your workday without breaks to get more done!
But trust me – all this approach leads to are burnout and stress. Don’t forget to consciously schedule short breaks throughout your day – this simple act is a powerful stress management technique! Use those breaks to go for a short walk, do some deep breathing exercises, meditate, or just zone out and let your mind wander for a bit.
Don’t view breaks as wasted time or laziness! Make them a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.
Quality sleep is essential for stress management. Make sure you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night to stay alert and energized. When you’re running on fumes after nights of poor or interrupted sleep, it’s way harder to cope with the daily stresses and demands of business ownership. Lack of sleep leaves you feeling drained and foggy-brained and gets you more worked up over minor issues.
Spending quality time with your loved ones creates a sense of belonging that can help you cope with the stresses of running a business.
Your relationships with family and friends are crucial stress relievers that shouldn’t be neglected. They provide a supportive outlet to vent about entrepreneurial stressors and get encouragement and a positive perspective. Loved ones can lighten your mood with laughter and quality bonding time – a reminder that there’s more to life than just work anxiety.
And don’t underestimate the value of emotional support from spouses, parents, or close friends who intimately understand you. Having that rock to turn to for a pep talk, a shoulder to lean on, or just a judgment-free listening ear are invaluable stress-busters.
This is the biggest mistake most business owners make.
As an entrepreneur, you have to accept that you can’t do it all alone. Delegating work to your team or even outsourcing to freelancers can dramatically free up your time. Don’t try to be a superhero! Trust your team and staff to handle a higher workload.
Letting go of certain tasks reduces the sheer volume of stressors on your shoulders. It allows you to spend more time on high-priority business goals instead of grinding through never-ending to-do lists.
If you’re struggling with stress as an entrepreneur, it may be time to seek out professional coaching. An experienced coach can provide personalized stress management techniques tailored to your situation and challenges. They’ll offer guidance, strategies, and accountability to help you better cope with stressors and navigate the entrepreneurial journey more effectively.
Believe it or not, your office/workspace plays an important role in keeping your stress levels under control! Utilizing productivity tools like calendars, to-do lists, and organization apps can help. Good organization skills are a powerful stress management technique. An organized environment promotes a clear mind. Set aside time for tasks like clearing your inbox, filing paperwork, and decluttering. Reducing organizational overwhelm through these practices allows you to better manage stressful periods as an entrepreneur.
Sounds preachy? Wait till you practice it! Focusing on what you’re grateful for can massively shift your perspective and reduce stress.
Make a habit of pausing each day to consciously note things you’re thankful for – big or small. Jot down a quick gratitude list, tell someone you appreciate them, or just reflect silently. This simple exercise is a proven stress management technique that helps entrepreneurs cope by shifting perspectives from stressful frustrations to positive reminders of what’s going well. Cultivating gratitude also prevents negativity spirals that amplify stress.
While that morning coffee helps many entrepreneurs start their day, too much of it can increase feelings of anxiety, jitters and insomnia… and that can compound your stress levels. As a stimulant, excessive caffeine intake can spike your body’s fight-or-flight response. To better cope with stress, be mindful of your caffeine consumption and limit it when possible. Opt for healthier alternatives like herbal teas, which can have a calming effect without the jittery ones.
Creating a playlist of your favourite calm, upbeat or motivational tunes is one of the easiest stress management techniques for busy entrepreneurs. Music has an amazing ability to instantly lift your mood and reduce any stress and anxiety.
Whether you need a playlist for productive focus, creative inspiration or just general relaxation, queueing up the right songs can provide a healthy mental break from stressors. Throw on your headphones or speakers whenever you need a dose of musical stress relief coaching you back into a better headspace.
Being mindful means staying present in the moment. When you’re an entrepreneur dealing with stress from all angles, it’s easy to get caught up worrying about the future or ruminating on past stressors. Practising mindfulness helps counter that harmful cycle.
Simple mindfulness exercises like meditation, body scans, and focused breathing teach you to let go of anxious thoughts about times you can’t control. Making mindfulness a habit is a powerful stress management tool for entrepreneurs to cope with the inevitable pressures of business ownership.
You have heard this before. Laughter is the best medicine! Watching comedy videos, hanging out with friends who crack you up, or just appreciating the hilarious absurdities of life… are the best remedies for stress!
Find ways to frequently laugh. Getting your chuckles in is a simple yet effective stress-relief strategy for entrepreneurs. Laughter helps your body fight stress by firing up your feel-good endorphins. It gives you a mental break from anxious thoughts. And it puts things back in perspective when you’re taking your entrepreneurial hustle a bit too seriously. So prescribe yourself healthy doses of humor and laughter daily.
No, it’s not a “waste of time”.
And you’re definitely not “too old” for it.
When you’re constantly wearing your entrepreneur hat, engaging your mind in different creative outlets can provide you with a healthy escape from business stressors. Pick up any innovative hobby like art, writing, music, photography, woodworking or whatever piques your interests outside of work. Exploring these kinds of expressive activities allows your brain a break while still exercising creative muscles. Scheduling hobby time is an effective stress management technique for entrepreneurs to enjoy a mental reset.
Overly ambitious goals get you nowhere. It’s a surefire way to feel stressed and discouraged. Set achievable goals instead of shooting for the moon every time. Break big projects down into smaller, bite-sized steps. Celebrate little wins along the way. Having a reasonable, step-by-step plan to work towards makes tasks feel far less overwhelming. Adjust your goals as needed – they should challenge you, but still be realistically attainable. Managing expectations relieves so much unnecessary stress.
Have already mentioned it once before, but this point deserves a separate place of its own. Even mild dehydration can leave you feeling fatigued, headachy, and mentally foggy – compounding any entrepreneurial stresses. Keep a water bottle nearby and make an effort to sip regularly throughout the day. Proper hydration helps your mind and body better cope with the hustle.
Make self-care a top priority – not an afterthought. When you’re overwhelmed with work, it’s easy to neglect your own needs. But that would just lead to burnout! Purposely schedule time for activities you enjoy that help you relax and recharge. Read a book, take a bath, go for a walk – whatever brings you joy and peace. Practising regular self-care isn’t just a nice indulgence. It’s essential for managing entrepreneurial stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. You can’t show up as your best for your business if you’re running on fumes.
Stress is a common challenge for entrepreneurs, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. By incorporating these 20 stress relief strategies, I hope you will be able to better manage and reduce your stress levels.
Remember, taking care of yourself is crucial for your success. Implement these stress management techniques, and watch how they transform your daily routine!
If you need more personalized advice, consider coaching. It can provide you with tailored strategies to help you cope with stress and improve your overall well-being.
Stay strong and keep pushing forward!
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