Busy Entrepreneur? Here’s How To Side-Step Stress In The COVID Era by Elena Stewart
When you work for yourself, especially as a woman or a person of color, stress is part of the compensation package. What isn’t is a global pandemic. With all of the pressures we are facing today, it is more important than ever to slow down, relax, and say goodbye to stress. The Wright Village offers the following tips to help you keep stress and anxiety to a minimum.
Business Tactics
Many business owners don’t consider how they run their business as part of their self-care routine. But it should be. Everything you do to uplift your professional endeavors has an effect on your emotional and physical health. Simple steps, such as hiring an assistant at work or at home or shutting your computer down at the same time each day will go a long way toward allowing you to focus on your mental health.
Additionally, business owners can use online services that help automate certain aspects of their operations. For example, to file your annual report with the state accurately and on time, use an automatic filing service for this yearly task. Not only will this free up a little time on your schedule, but you’ll rest easy knowing that you don’t face fines or penalties for missing the filing date for your report.
Another way to eliminate some stress is to outsource your accounting. Although there is nothing wrong with keeping tabs on your business – and personal – finances, your accountant or bookkeeper can handle the pencil-pushing. You can use payroll services for getting your payroll off the ground and tackling the basics of payroll management (including time tracking, filing taxes, etc.), which can help minimize any mistakes you’d make doing this on your own. Additionally, payroll services can free up your time so you can handle other business-related tasks. Just remember to set a budget for this service and find one that works best for your startup.
Powerful Pleasures
Personal self-care is also crucial. While this should absolutely include great personal care products, there are other small pleasures and health upkeep actions that you can engage in to improve your overall wellness.
Getting enough sleep is a prime example. When you sleep, your brain maintains its plasticity. According to Dreams, this is essentially its ability to process information. So, getting enough sleep means that you’ll be firing on all cylinders and you can get through work quickly and efficiently. Sleep is also beneficial to your appearance and, without it, your eyes will get dry and puffy and your skin may not have that early morning glow. Find ways to improve your sleep, such as introducing a white noise machine to your bedroom or listen to relaxing music.
Eating well is another crucial factor in self-care, and making sure that you are properly fueled means that you will have the energy to run your business. This has a domino effect, like sleep, of helping you work faster and more accurately.
Mentality Matters
Taking care of yourself at work and at home are powerful tools, but you also have to take care of your mind. Fortunately, when you’ve reduced stress, your mental health usually falls into place. But, there are still ways to further improve your situation. The best, and something that has been called therapy’s most effective tool, is learning how to reframe your perspective. In other words, when you can’t change a situation, change your definition of it. A quick example here is a relationship breakup. Instead of viewing it as the end of something good, think of it as an opportunity to begin something great.
Ultimately, you may come to realize you need a level of support that goes beyond your DIY methods. A push outside of our comfort zones can be the perfect recipe to reacquaint us with our authentic selves. In this case, The Wright Village provides access to a like-minded group of people where everyone can come together to express themselves and share ideas. The results can be life-changing, helping you reframe your goals both professionally and personally.
Your life as a business owner has no doubt changed in the last 18 months, and that’s true for everyone. However, whether your business is just starting out, is busier than ever, or struggling to stay afloat, taking care of yourself has to be a priority.
