Stress Management Techniques
Being in business can be stressful — there's no way around it. You'll be faced with difficult customers, challenging deadlines, cash flow worries, suppliers who don't deliver, and a myriad of other problems. And to make it more stressful, you're the one who's in charge, and who's responsible for solving all of the problems.
Shake up your workday! Playing hooky for an afternoon is one of the benefits of a home-based business. Yes, you'll have to make up the hours at some other time, but if the sun's shining, and your clients don't need you, take a sanity break. If you're a retail outlet, pay someone (whom you trust) to watch the store for a couple of hours.
Stress management techniques can be helpful on an ongoing basis, but these techniques come in handy especially on days when the whole world insists on hassling you.
Because stress is a physical response, it makes sense to deal with it physically, at least in part. Your stress reaction can make your breathing shallow, so try taking three slow, deep, cleansing breaths — it's amazing how much better that can make you feel. Then focus on your posture to make sure that you're giving your lungs room to expand. Getting regular exercise can also help: Even a walk around the block gets the oxygen moving in your body. Plus, it gives you a mental break from the stress, which can be just as important.
If you need to vent, phone a friend: The buddy system works incredibly effectively to let you safely complain about whatever is causing you stress. Just make sure that it's a good time for the other person to chat for a few minutes and that you return the favor when it's his turn to need a release valve.
