WARNING: Running a Business induces Stress
Small to large business owners are inundated with the constant multitasking of running their businesses on a daily basis. Every small to medium size business owners, you will wear many hats: accounting, manager, sales, marketing & advertising, legal, business planning, technology, and don’t forget receptionist & clerical. Many SBO’s admit to sleepless nights with thoughts racing over their business’ productivity.
Nearly half of the 500 small-business owners surveyed in the United States reported increased stress because of the sluggish economy, with 35 percent reporting they regularly lose sleep and nearly a quarter saying their health had suffered.
With the downturn of the economy in recent years, 78% of SBO’s reported more stress often resulting in losing sleep or suffering health problems. Productivity and innovation are very difficult to spark if you are running on empty, so you need to take care of yourself! Here are some practical ways to wind down and restore serenity now.
How to Beat the Stress … Take Care of Yourself
Learn to Say No: there are some tasks, phone calls, demanding ‘friends’, or unessential responsibilities that don’t need your urgent attention and will create some time and space in your schedule. So … just say NO.- Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is absolute essential to stay on top of your game. The best way to combat stress, anxiety and the constant pressure of running a business is getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep (@ to the National Sleep Foundation).
- Eat Healthy: It’s so much easier and quicker to grab a pizza or fast food but it really pays off to take time to cook or eat nutritious & healthy food. A healthy diet will boost your creativity, your mood, and endurance. (For more information: Personal Journey Wellness)
- Take a Walk: A quick, brisk walk in the fresh air and daylight can do wonders for your mood. Park your car further away than usual or take a five minute break two or three times throughout your day to take a quick walk outside; the change of scenery, physical posture and movement will make it easier to focus when you return.
- Spend your Lunchtime as Sacred ‘Me-Time’: Enjoy your healthy food with a little journaling, blog-reading, or people-watching. See it as a way to nourish your soul on several levels. It’s important to eat, but it’s equally important to be inspired, creative, silly, whimsical and happy.
- Delegate (Ask for Help): This can be difficult for some (Personality Type A’s) but asking for help not only lessens your burden but makes the members of your team feel useful and important.
- Make an Organized Plan & Schedule: If you try to juggle all to the to-do’s and must-remember’s in your head, you’ll only further tax your focused mind. Keep a good schedule and stick to the plan for the day; don’t procrastinate on today’s tasks or don’t try to tackle tomorrow’s task today but instead enjoy the free time after your work is done.
- Serenity Now!: Find your source of serenity … a yoga class, journaling, a hot bath, time with friends, light candles, listen to soft music, drink tea or all of the above. Take time to do whatever recharges your batteries (and your mind.)
- Keep a Tidy & Organized Workspace: If you do, you will spend less time finding what you need and more time being focused, relaxed and less overwhelmed.
- Take the Weekends Off (completely): It’s hard to walk away, I admit, but its a good idea to keep your weekends (or whatever days your business is closed) sacred. No work, no emails, no phone calls, or catch-up work. Be with your family, friends, your dog and enjoy life outside of work.
