7 Stress Relief Tips For Frazzled Small Business Owners

There’s no rest for the weary, especially when you run a small business. Every day can be full with what feels like a million different tasks and responsibilities, even if you have a fully functioning staff. And of course, depending on how dependent everyone is on you, taking a break doesn’t always feel like a viable option.

But don’t spend your days downing anxiety meds and worrying about the next problem around the corner. Instead, put measures in place to avoid stressors and enjoy these tips on how to relieve stress.

1. You must have insurance!

The best way to get a good night’s sleep is to get business insurance.

Stay with us on this one.

If every decision you make is stymied by the worry that you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars if something goes wrong, you can’t properly lead your company toward growth. Risk, after all, often comes with reward when you’re not afraid to take it.

The types of insurance you’ll need will vary depending on your type of business, but knowing that you are covered during unfortunate events will loosen you up and keep you from being weighed down by stress.

Here are a few examples of the types of insurance you might need:

• General Liability Insurance
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance
• Errors and Omissions Insurance
• Excess Liability Insurance

2. Patents are stress relievers.

You don’t have to constantly worry if someone is going to rip off your idea or concept. There are patents to relieve that stressor! If your business holds something proprietary, apply for a patent and see how much stress you eliminate from your life.

Additionally, you can look into intellectual property insurance to make extra sure you’re protected.

3. Must have a physical outlet.

Never underestimate how much physical activity can relieve stress! Whether you go out and break plates against a wall or run for miles, doing something that requires physical exertion is going to bring you relief.

Just keep in mind that if you make this health-related, like working out for an hour each day, you will also be making your health insurance provider happy and possibly keeping your rates as low as possible.

4. Find a trusted advisor.

People “vent” for a reason—it relieves stress! Find someone you trust with your company’s most vulnerable information and use them as a sounding board for issues that are weighing on you.

It’s also important to find someone who has been through similar experiences. They can often add valuable feedback and give you the kudos you need to feel less stressed about the direction in which you are headed.

5. Don’t just take risks, calculate them.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are constantly hearing that one must take risks. This is often very stressful because the unknown is large and scary. So instead of just taking risks blindly, calculate them so you know what to expect.

Here are some questions to get you started on eliminating stress by examining the risk:

• How much will it potentially cost?
• What benefits could it bring?
• Are there alternatives?
• If it didn’t go as planned, is there a back-up plan?
• What is the worst thing that could happen?

By taking fear and uncertainty out of the equation, you will find more peace with your decisions.

6. Take control.

Stress often happens with things seem chaotic. Small business owners put in more hours than a traditional job. This can become stressful and overwhelming. Add in the urge to do it all, and stress is inevitable. Start finding relief by budgeting your time and activities.

Here are a few ideas to get you on the right course:

• Only check emails the first and last hour of the work day
• Set aside 30 minutes to do something you enjoy
• Make time for family
• Pencil in time for social media

If you can stick with this time and activities budget, you will be able to stay on task throughout your day without losing time to distraction. Plus, the sense of control alone will relieve stress.

7. Change your view of failure.

Failure comes with such a negative view, but in reality, it’s not the worst thing that can happen. It’s a learning experience that has consequences. What those consequences are is up to you. It can either be defeating or a learning experience. Write down your failures, what went wrong, and how you can avoid them in the future. Knowing what you can do differently the next time you try will eliminate stress and make you successful.