Tips to Help Small Business Owners Rein in TheirAnxiety

Running a small business can be an incredibly difficult, stressful, and anxiety-inducing

endeavor, and it’s only natural for entrepreneurs to feel anxious from time to time. Anxiety

is one of the most common psychological problems that small business owners face.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 20% of all adults in the U.S.

suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. The good news is that there are ways that small

business owners can address and manage their anxiety so they can continue running their

businesses effectively.

Identify Causes and Triggers

The first step in managing anxiety is recognizing what’s causing it and what triggers it. It’s

important to be aware of the common sources of stress and anxiety, such as financial

worries or dealing with difficult clients or customers. It’s also helpful to pay attention to

your own reactions and feelings when you become anxious. Practicing mindfulness

techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises can increase your awareness of your

emotions, which may help you identify potential triggers for your anxiety.

Exercise Self-Care

When faced with a lot of stress, it’s easy for small business owners to overlook their own

needs while focusing on their businesses. However, taking time out for self-care is essential

if you want to keep up with the demands of running a business while managing your

anxiety levels at the same time. Taking regular breaks throughout the day, getting enough

sleep, making sure you eat healthily, and finding ways to relax – such as going for a walk or

listening to music – are all important considerations that can help you build a strong

foundation for dealing with stress and anxiety head-on.

Try Breathing Techniques

To help reduce anxieties associated with day-to-day operations and big-picture

management, many small business owners are turning to the power of breathwork and

mantras. Amanda Bryan, Massage Therapist, Reiki Master explains how: “When you find

yourself in an anxious state, that fuzzy feeling right before anxiety hits, become aware of

your breath. We can’t control much in this world but we can control our breath, and by

controlling our breath we change our perception of reality.

Notice your breath; you most likely feel it in the upper chest. Exhale fully and completely.

Then, as you inhale, push your belly out and fill up the lungs, bringing the breath all the

way up through the collar bone. Pause to feel the pulse in your body as you hold the breath.

You are tapping into the vagus nerve and telling it to work. Finally, exhale slowly with

control. A good idea is to count to eight during the inhale, pause, hold, and then exhale on

that same count. Repeat 5–10 times or until you feel yourself become more calm.”

Taking a few moments each day to focus on your breathing can help you relax and stay

centered, while mantras can be used as powerful affirmations to guide your thoughts in

more positive directions. By taking the time to develop mindful practices such as these,

small business owners can find solace in knowing that they have the ability to better

manage their stress levels for greater success.

Create Boundaries

Creating boundaries between your work and personal life is also essential for managing

stress levels as a small business owner, explains Psych Central. Learning how to say no

when needed, setting reasonable expectations for yourself, and delegating tasks when

appropriate – can all be helpful strategies in creating clear boundaries, which will allow

you more control over how much work you take on while still maintaining a healthy

lifestyle outside of work.

Cultivate Support Networks

Another way small business owners can deal with their anxieties is by cultivating

supportive networks both inside and outside their businesses. Buffer explains that creating

relationships with other entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges associated

with running a business can provide invaluable support in times when things get tough.

This kind of contact doesn't have to be limited just to fellow entrepreneurs, but could also

include friends, family members, or even professional counselors who have experience

working with entrepreneurs facing similar issues as yourself. With a strong network by

your side filled with people who understand your struggles, it will become easier for you to

navigate through any difficult periods without feeling overwhelmed or alone.

Tackle What You’ve Been Putting Off

For busy entrepreneurs, tackling overdue tasks can feel insurmountable. But with a few

simple steps, you can reduce stress and anxiety caused by unfinished work. Start by making

a list of all the tasks that need to be done. Prioritize them by importance and urgency, then

make a schedule for when you will work on each task.

Setting goals that are achievable helps to keep your motivation high, as does setting

rewards for completing those goals. So whether it’s converting to or learning how to start

an LLC with the help of a formation service, preparing your taxes for EOY, or finally

launching your online store, finalizing overdue tasks can pave the way for reducing your

anxiety.

Find Anxiety Management Techniques that Work for You

Anxiety levels among small business owners are unfortunately very high; however, this

doesn’t mean that suffering from anxiety is a foregone conclusion. By identifying potential

causes or triggers of one’s own particular brand of anxiety, as well as engaging in activities

like self-care routines, boundary-setting practices, and cultivating supportive networks,

these types of measures will empower individuals so they’re better equipped at handling

stressful situations that come along with being an entrepreneur.

Article written by: Kevin Ogle