Top 7 Effective Ways To Cope With Stress As An Entrepreneurer
Entrepreneurship and stress go hand in hand. For entrepreneurs, stress-induced burnout is not uncommon, in part because of the drive and perseverance required for entrepreneurship. Over time, this passion coupled with a high rate of uncertainty can lead to feelings of mental and physical exhaustion.
A study by Harvard researchers found that more than a quarter of entrepreneurs surveyed believed their stress led to burnout. That being said, there are a number of ways that entrepreneurs can combat stress and live a healthy, productive life.
Effective Ways To Cope With Stress As An Entrepreneurer
- Go to the gym
- Try not to worry about things that are beyond your control
- Enjoy your free time
- Don't neglect your diet
- Eliminate some tasks from your job
- Make friends with your peers
- Make friends with your stress
1. Go to the gym
You've probably heard this before, but exercise is great for reducing stress.
It releases endorphins, gets your blood flowing, and can even help you make sharper decisions. Of course, it also improves the way you feel mentally and physically. Unfortunately for many entrepreneurs, exercise can seem like a superfluous activity that doesn't help your bottom line.
Going to the gym can take an hour or two out of your day, and you can't focus on all the work that needs to be done. But you don't have to make exercise an all-day activity to get results. Even a quick walk to the office can reduce stress and improve your mood.
2. Enjoy your free time
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For most entrepreneurs, work is an obsession. But this obsession can lead to exhaustion, lower productivity, and even stress-related health problems.
The term “work-life balance” may have been overused in recent years, but its principles remain relevant today.
You have to find balance between work and all the other aspects that make life worth living.
This doesn't mean you need to go on a four-week meditation retreat every time you feel stressed.
It's essential to schedule time to be with friends and family while also turning off the work part of your brain.
This might include dinner with friends, going for a hike, or playing baseball.
If necessary, leave your phone at home so you're not tempted to work while relaxing.
3. Try not to worry about things that are beyond your control
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This is a difficult question.
As an entrepreneur, you're probably obsessed with controlling every aspect of your work. But there are some things you cannot control.
Unfortunately, these problems often leave you confused and worried about them even when they are not solvable.
A great way to solve this problem is to identify the real problems within your vision and work to solve them.
Situations that you cannot change in any particular way should be off your to-do list.
4. Don't neglect your diet
It's easy on marathon work days to eat poorly. A diet that lacks nutrition, however, is a recipe for increased stress. Diets that are high in vitamins and minerals and low in refined sugars and processed foods are ideal for keeping your brain healthy, active, and focused.
That being said, it's much more common to eat whatever's easiest.
Unfortunately, this often means eating at the local fast food joint or from the vending machine in the break room.
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None of the options are great.
You can also spend the day snacking on whatever candy or chips are nearby.
If you're not a great cook, try arranging scheduled meal deliveries to provide quality nutrition every day.
If you like to snack, carry some fruit or even a small tray of vegetables with you to avoid the temptation of vending machines.
5. Eliminate some tasks from your job
It's natural for an entrepreneur to want to get started on things. But as your business grows, you also need to learn how to delegate to reduce the stress of managing everything yourself.
If you have the budget, hiring an administrative assistant can help you focus on bigger problems.
Hiring a content marketer or social media manager can also make your life easier.
If you don't have the budget for another full-time employee, check out sites like Upwork to find freelancers who can do countless jobs for you.
It is virtually impossible to handle every task associated with a growing business on your own and it would be foolhardy to try.
6. Make friends with your peers
Befriending peers to reduce stress as an entrepreneur While entrepreneurship may be a highly individualistic field, no one really wants to go it alone. It's important to surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who face the same daily challenges and have the same gripes as you.
If you don't have people to vent to or bounce ideas off of, you'll just be stuck in the repetitive echo chamber of your own head.
This can undoubtedly lead to increased stress. Additionally, always make sure that the people you spend your time with are just as positive and focused as you are.
7. Make friends with your stress
Stress produces a physiological response that is often related to emotions like fear and anxiety.
This can trigger the age-old “fight or flight” response, leaving your muscles tense, heart racing, and mouth dry.
However, most of our workplaces do not necessarily require such drastic physiological changes.
Instead of succumbing to these mental, physical, and emotional stress-related reactions, making friends with them may be more effective.
Realize that there is no immediate threat to your health. Stress is just a sign that you care about the problems at hand. Try to channel that energy into productivity.
