Stress Reduction for Small Business Owners Rated:

As any entrepreneur will tell you, running your own business provides ample rewards, but it also demands hard work - which can lead to stress. Stress is not always a bad thing and may help keep you engaged and responsive to the challenges of your business. However, excessive stress can put a significant damper on your productivity and diminish your enjoyment of work and leisure time.

Here are some tips for tackling stress:

Get physical

Has sitting in front of your computer and staring at your small business software been taking a toll on your mental health? Make sure you take regular breaks to get outside and get moving - this will help you disconnect and recharge your brain. Getting moving could include anything from going for a 30-minute lunchtime walk to hitting the gym for some serious training. Many entrepreneurs find they need to use their small business software to "schedule" this time alongside their business commitments to make sure it actually happens.

Organize your office

Your workplace is likely to be a reflection of your mental space, so a cluttered and messy office can spell trouble. Work on keeping piles of paper relegated to organized piles, folders and boxes. Taking an hour to impose order upon your workplace now will save countless hours down the line, as you know exactly where to turn to find important documents.

Organize your virtual office

Your computer can be just as much of a stress hazard as your physical workspace. Have you ever opened your inbox just to cringe at all of the months-old messages waiting around? Create meaning folders and a system for dealing with new messages, as well as creating meaning folders for electronic documents. Also make sure you are taking advantage of all of the organizational features of your small business software.

Make lists

Do you find your head filled with endless tasks that need to be completed? And do these thoughts follow you home from work? Making a to-do list is one of the most effective ways of clearing and focusing your mind on what needs to be accomplished and reducing mental overload.

Prioritize

Once you have that all-important list, attack it with gusto to set priorities. Which are the most pressing responsibilities? The least? Which must be completed within 24 hours and which can be delayed? Give yourself deadlines and stick to them. Some people choose to address their most difficult or annoying responsibilities first, to get them out of the way - another handy way to reduce potential stress.

Plan ahead

Procrastination is the enemy of the small business owner. Stay on top of your workload - and your busy life - by planning ahead. Some entrepreneurs organize the tasks of the next day on the night before, while others spend an hour or two on Sunday night prepping themselves for the coming week.

Shut the door

Some people thrive on multi-tasking, but there are some tasks that are likely to require intense concentration or a period of uninterrupted silence to accomplish well. When these responsibilities arise, make sure you shut your door, shut off your phone, turn off your email alert, temporarily tear your attention away from your small business software to focus on what you need to get done.

Share your worries

For some, this may involve meeting up with a friend to chat about your mutual days, while others may count on a spouse to provide moral support. Those who don't feel comfortable talking about their problems may find release by keeping a journal or even writing a letter of complaint to the person or thing that is bugging them - just make sure you don't accidentally send it unless you mean to!

Learn to say no

The life of an entrepreneur may put you out of practice of saying "no," but this is an important skill to master if you want to maximize productivity while minimizing stress. Your time is extremely valuable. The sooner you learn to distinguish between commitments that will help you work toward your goals and those that simply add complication and stress, the better.

Find a system that works for you

Everyone responds to stress in a different way and therefore effective coping methods are also likely to vary. For example, some people love to talk their problems out with a friend, while others may benefit most from quiet meditation and self-reflection. They key is to find the techniques that work best for you.