To be an entrepreneur, you’ve got to be hard-working and driven. Days can be filled with any number of tasks, from contacting influencers and tracking potential growth, to attending business meetings and ploughing through emails. Keeping on top of so many tasks can be a challenge, and will include a fair amount of stress.
So, what can you do to combat this stress? How can you save yourself from burning out?
Here are five easy ways to give yourself a bit of TLC, and keep your business on the right path:
1. Meditation
According to Dr Herbert Benson, something as simple as breathing exercises can reduce stress. It works by putting your body in a more relaxed state, where your worries will simply melt away. You’re in a state on involuntary attention, where something is holding your attention but you’re simultaneously able to reflect on things.
Studies have shown that meditation can help by decreasing stress levels as well as boosting emotional well-being, so you’re much more able to deal with stressful situations in the future, too.
There are meditation sessions springing up in cities across the globe, so have a quick browse online to see what’s happening near you.
Alternatively, you can undertake an online course, or even just go through a playlist of guided meditation sessions on Youtube. It’s advised that you meditate at the time of day for each session, so add it into your routine and block out a part of your schedule. You can try meditating first thing in the morning or as you get into bed at night, or even take a break during your workday to reset your mind.
2. Taking Breaks
No-one can work non-stop for eight hours at maximum productivity. Instead of trying to power through the times when you feel like you’ve hit the wall, give yourself a small break to rest and recharge.
When you’re busy, the thought of taking a break may cause you more stress as you don’t feel like you have the time to spare. However, a short rest can actually give you a moment to breathe, before you begin ploughing through work once more.
If you’re just looking for a quick break, give yourself an allotted time of the day when you’re allowed to scroll through social media, or to check your personal emails. Or, have a snack at the ready that you can nibble on. Healthy snacks will fill you up and make you feel nourished, so go for something like nuts or a hard-boiled egg.
Having a snack that’s good for you will also involve being kind to your gut. As the gut is the largest organ in the immune system and stress effects the brain and immune system, eating something can further help you de-stress!
For a more substantial break, why not go for a brisk walk or grab a coffee from a nearby café? For entrepreneurs who work alone, a break is an excellent chance to get some human interaction and think about something else for a short while. Even if you do end up talking about work, getting complaints off your chest can help lower your stress levels, anyway.
3. Pamper Sessions
If you’re in danger of burning out, reset your stress levels with a full-blown pamper session. Treat yourself to a trip to the salon, have a hair treatment or even head to the spa. Massages and facials are great for curing stress, and are also an excellent way to cure any aches and pains or skin issues that are a result of your stress levels.
Numerous studies into human contact have shown that a caring touch can release oxytocin, which counteracts the stress hormones. That means that a pamper session can help you feel more confident about your appearance, while also having a positive effect on the chemicals in your brain!
If you’d rather add a bit of pampering into your workday without leaving your home or office, there are options for that too. Why not buy yourself a foot massager, and let the machine work it’s magic while you plough through your to-do list.
4. Music
Whether it’s taking some time out of your busy schedule to listen to some music, or performing difficult or repetitive tasks with a playlist blaring in the background, there are multiple ways to de-stress with music. Classical music in particular is known for relaxing listeners, as your heartbeat slows to match the calming music. Meanwhile, a playlist of your favourite songs will have your brain releasing dopamine, giving you a feeling of comfort.
Begin your day with a stress-busting exercise, and find two or three songs that you really enjoy. Then, spend the next ten minutes in the zone enjoying the music and having a little (or big) dance. Some companies even implement a morning music session into the daily schedule, as they understand the importance of keeping employees happy and stress-free. Join the fun and give yourself a morning wake-up dance, too.
5. Unplug
Undoubtedly, a large portion of your work is conducted online. With the internet also providing a medium for socializing, you can begin to feel as if you’re tied to your laptop or phone. As an entrepreneur, you may be using technology to cover both of these jobs, as social media often plays a part in an entrepreneur’s daily responsibilities.
However, being ‘plugged in’ for so much of your life may be causing you stress. Soon, you’ll begin associating stress with the use of technology, rather than just the duties you’re performing online. What’s more, it might make you feel like you’re disconnected and missing out when you’re not online, driving you to stay online for even longer.
Giving yourself allocated hours during which you turn off all technology can be great for your mental health. It’ll also give you some perspective, so you can identify the source of your work stresses and find a way to avoid further issues.
