The job of a small business owner can be challenging, stressful, and at times, downright overwhelming. Perhaps it’s a misplaced tool causing frustration or trouble communicating with an angry customer, the day-to-day trials of owning a business can wear on a person’s physical and mental well-being.
It’s important to learn healthy ways to cope with stressors in your life, as stress has been shown to put individuals at an increased risk for heart disease, sleep problems, digestive problems, among other health issues.
Here are 3 practical tips to make a busy life less stressful and more enjoyable:
1. Maintain a Positive Attitude
An internal monologue geared around positive thinking helps you approach challenges in a more productive way. Stress can be reduced by simply eliminating negative self-talk. Instead of ending the day with to-do items you will not be able to tackle for another several hours, take a minute before bed to focus on the positive aspects of your day. Write down in your phone or on a note pad “Three Wins” or accomplishments you made that day. As a way to look forward to tomorrow, write down what you will “win” the next day. The “wins” represent moments or actions that bring value and bring meaning to your life.
2. Take Breaks
Studies have shown that “powering though” a project or activity actually has a negative impact on your productivity. Just a few minutes break will give your mind a chance to refocus and refresh. However, don’t go straight for the online cat videos for a mental reprieve. Try going for a walk in the park or around the office during work hours. Exercise has been shown to increase productivity, grow work capacity and decrease sickness.
3. Volunteer
Generosity and giving can improve your mental and physical health. It can also reduce stress. Volunteering is an extension of great customer service. Rather than obsessing about one’s needs, volunteering and giving to the community turns one outward to have a positive impact on others’ lives. Altruism requires a person to be sensitive of other peoples’ perspective before his or her own. It feels good to help others and contributes to one’s own sense of value.
Whether you chose to try these ideas or create your own, small activities to help manage your stress will pay off for you and the lives you touch: your family, friends, employees and customers.
