How to Cope with the Stress COVID-19 has Put on Your Business

For business owners, the COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful. If you run a business, your worries about the future might leave you tossing and turning at night.

Maybe you’ve taken a serious pay cut in order to keep your employees on board. Perhaps you’re nervous that your sales and revenue will never recover. Or maybe you’re trying to navigate the launch of a new product or service, hoping it will make up for lost profits.

No matter what you’re dealing with, you probably feel you’re under a lot of pressure. These tips will help entrepreneurs cope with the stress of the pandemic and balance their professional responsibilities with their personal needs.

Don’t Try To Do It All

As a business owner, you wear many hats. But chances are, you’ve been trying to do too much throughout this pandemic. Maybe you’ve tried to take on more work to save money rather than contracting it out. However, trying to do it all can burn you out.

Instead, look at your to-do list and be realistic about what you can cut or outsource to someone else. You may need to make some sacrifices, but staying laser-focused on your most important responsibilities can lead to better results.

Stay Organized

Are you trying to plan your days by scribbling out general plans on Post-It notes? Being disorganized will only increase your stress levels. Pick up a planner or download software that will help you get organized and stay on track.

When you can see your entire schedule laid out in front of you, complete with daily to-do lists, you’ll be able to manage your workload more easily and avoid overloading yourself.

Get Connected

Use the right communication tools to help your business team stay in touch. Maybe your employees have been furloughed for the time being because your business is temporarily closed, but staying connected so that you can give them periodic updates on any progress is a good idea.

And don’t forget to make time to talk with your loved ones, too! Talking to your family and friends will give you the opportunity to blow off steam.

Physical Self-Care

You’re probably spending a lot of time coming up with strategies to revive your business. Amid making business development plans, it’s all too easy to skip out on self-care. Has it been a while since the last time you worked out? Are you cooking healthy meals for yourself most days? Do you get seven to eight hours of sleep every night?

If you know you haven’t been taking good care of yourself, you can work on changing your habits for the better. Get into a fitness routine, try cooking some nutritious new recipes, and try to shut down your screens early to get an extra hour or two of sleep.

Give Yourself Downtime

You spend much of your day brainstorming solutions for your business. And when you’re not working, you’re fretting about the future. That’s why you need downtime to truly unwind. Stress can take a toll on your mind and body. To recover, you need the opportunity to rest.

Choose a few activities that you find relaxing and try to incorporate them into your weekly routines. For instance, you could try doing thirty minutes of yoga each day, reading a book or listening to music before bedtime, or meditating in the morning. Taking a nap once in a while can help, too!

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Are your struggles with your business making your stress levels skyrocket? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.