As a small business owner, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be a challenge, especially during busy and disruptive periods. Balancing the demands of work with personal life and responsibilities can lead to stress-induced burnout. However, it is possible to maintain healthy stress levels and lead a productive and balanced life at the same time. By being mindful and taking proactive steps, you can find a healthy balance that works best for you. In this blog article, we discuss some tips and strategies that can help you maintain healthy stress levels during busy periods and maintain a healthy work-life balance as a business owner.
What amount of stress is healthy?
The Yerkes-Dodson law shows that an individual’s performance increases with stress until cortisol levels are too high, which results in a sharp and sudden decrease. According to some, the secret is to reduce your stress levels, sending you down the other side of the bell curve. How much is too much will vary between individuals, but by understanding and managing your stress levels, you can use them effectively and in a healthy way.
Tips on how to manage your stress
Take control
Feeling in control during a disruptive period is key to maintaining healthy stress levels. By presenting the causes of stress as challenges that can be overcome, your stress levels are likely to decrease from negative levels. To achieve this, it is key to break down your projects, tasks or your days into achievable goals and make informed choices about what to prioritise and when. Planning your projects and tasks in advance will allow you to feel prepared and able to tackle the task at hand.
Be positive
Your perception of stress is crucial, and instead of panicking, it’s essential to recognise the initial increase in your heart rate calmly. This will help you to be more mindful and alert and remind you that you are present and capable of handling the tasks or projects ahead.
Connect
A useful way to maintain healthy stress levels is by connecting with others. When you have good relationships within your team or office environment, you can rely on each other during stressful periods, build resilience and build a sense of community. By sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others, you can gain perspective, obtain emotional support, and receive helpful feedback. This not only helps to alleviate stress but can also create a more positive and supportive workplace culture, which benefits everyone.
Exercise
Another way to manage stress levels is by engaging in regular exercise. This also benefits your brain, heart and lungs. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters that can help to alleviate stress and improve your overall mood and well-being. Whether it’s going for a walk, lifting weights, or practising yoga, finding a regular exercise routine that works for you can be a great tool to manage your stress levels.
Sleep
Maintaining healthy stress levels requires taking care of your health, and one essential factor is ensuring you are getting enough restful sleep each night. A lack of sleep and being exhausted can increase your susceptibility to further stress and reduce productivity. Prioritise creating a calming sleep environment and establish a consistent sleep routine. By developing healthy sleep habits, such as avoiding caffeine and electronics before bedtime, you can ensure that you are more likely to wake up feeling refreshed and positive.
It can be a challenge to maintain healthy stress levels during disruptive and busy periods. However, implementing these strategies will better prepare you and your business for these times. If you would like some guidance with planning for your business to help minimise stress, contact the ilumin team today.