Being in business can be a stressful experience – but don’t make the mistake of thinking stress is unavoidable. Here are six suggestions how to manage stress
1. You can’t control the uncontrollable
Accept the things you can’t change – and move on. Rather than stressing over them, focus on the things you can control – such as the way you choose to react to these issues.
2. Focus on the positive
When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life. This helps to keep things in perspective.
3. Just say no
Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, don’t say ‘Yes’ and take on more responsibility if you know you’ve already got too much on your plate.
4. Do the ‘musts’ not the ‘shoulds’
Re-assess your to-do list and pick out what really needs to be done. Be selfish – if you’re being squeezed, prioritise the ‘must do’ actions. Anything that is not essential needs to be relegated to the bottom of the list, delegated or dropped completely.
5. Share your feelings
There’s a time for a stiff upper lip, but even if you can’t change circumstances, you may find that talking things through with someone else can be very cathartic.
6. Look after No.1
It’s important to have the resilience to deal with the unforeseen, and that means you need to look after yourself – so a sensible diet, some form of regular exercise and plenty of sleep can also really help.
Finally, realise that just trying one of these suggestions might make a positive difference to how you feel. Give it a go and then tick it off your to-do list – now, doesn’t that feel better?
