Stressed Out? Consider These Tension-Taming Tips
If you're a small business owner who's stressed out, you're certainly not alone. As a wellness coach, I work with plenty of business owners and busy professionals who say they're stressed to the limit.
The truth is that stress, itself, isn't the bad guy. In small measure, it can actually be a positive, motivating force in your life. But when stress becomes severe and prolonged, it can have an adverse effect on everything from your health to your relationships to your business and then some.
While we can't banish stress from our lives, we can find better ways of managing our stressors and our reactions to the pressures in our lives. As a coach, I help clients find the tension-taming tools that work best for them by tapping into their inherent strengths and inner wisdom. Although there are no one-size fits-all solutions, the five tips listed below have worked for a number of my clients who wanted to feel more energized and less stressed. Consider putting some of these ideas into practice, or better yet find the solutions that work best for you:
1. Make Self Care A Top Priority - You may think this idea sounds "selfish," but the truth is that if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to nurture your business or the people in your life who are most important to you. Why do you think flight attendants suggest that you secure your own oxygen mask, in the unlikely event of an accident, before helping your child with his? It's because if you don't take care of yourself first, you won't be able to take care of your child. So make your health and wellbeing a top priority. If you make time to exercise (be sure to check with your doctor first), eat healthy, and have some fun, you'll have more energy and be more productive, in the long run.
2. Just Say No - Is your life a whirlwind of activity that keeps you crazy busy? If so, you're hardly alone. Many of my clients believe that they HAVE to say "yes" to every thing they're asked to do. If that's the case for you, don't forget that you do, in fact, have choices. When your schedule is already insanely busy and your best buddy begs you to head up a new committee on the XYZ Board, consider answering with a polite, but firm "thanks but no thanks," if the offer isn't in your best interest. The key is to live your life aligned with your core values - the things that are most important to you in life. Then, when someone comes to you with that next opportunity, you'll know whether it's something you'd like to jump on, or whether it's best to politely decline.
3. Unplug - While it's true that many people in your life - including your clients - probably believe you should be accessible by phone and email 24/7, what's that costing you? While it's important to be responsive to our clients' needs and concerns, being on call day and night can sap us of energy. Consider setting some limits on when you're plugged in. Ask yourself what boundaries would work best for you? Cut back slowly, if necessary. And remember that unplugging - if even for a short while - can be a refreshing and renewing experience.
4. Remember to Breathe - Since breathing is an involuntary process, it's often overlooked and under-rated as a helpful tool. But the fact is that deep breathing and meditation can go a long way toward reducing stress. Studies have shown that such practices may even improve some medical conditions such as high blood pressure, when used in combination with other treatments. The good news is that since your breath is portable, you can practice deep breathing just about anytime and anywhere. So when you're feeling stressed out, take a few deep breaths and notice how you feel afterward. Many people report feeling more relaxed, peaceful, and in control.
5. Get Some Support -- When stress gets the best of you, don't be shy about reaching out for support. In our culture, which promotes independence as an ideal, many of us are reluctant to seek help because we believe that doing so is a sign of weakness. But, in my opinion, that's a limiting belief that can keep some people from reaching their true potential. Seeking assistance can be an empowering experience, whether you choose to partner with a coach or simply confide in a close friend.
Ellen H. Brown
Copyright 2008 Ellen H. Brown
Note: In subsequent articles, I'll talk about some of these tension-taming tips (and other strategies for relieving stress) in more depth.
Disclaimer: The information described above is educational in nature and should not be considered or used as a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a question about your personal health or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified healthcare professional.
