#MentalHealthAwareness month has just ended, but it is important to remember the tactics and the practices that we have learned in May as we tackle through our own anxiety and stress in our business ventures.

Everyone expresses stress and anxiety at one point in their lives. Especially people who are working for themselves, and who own a business. Without certainty, unknown events popping up at every occurrence, it is understandable why a lot of entrepreneurs’ anxiety rises and their stress level increases.

When a business owner’s anxiety starts flaring up, it becomes a domino effect for the person’s state of mind and the run of their growing business. The person starts to worry, is a ball of nerves, and has a general fear of the worse might occur. This causes a person to be less capable of handling their work and the business suffers.

Leslie Hurst, Master of Social Work (MSW) says that the best way to relieve stress is to pinpoint the different ways to prevent it. She recommended a few tips for every entrepreneur or working woman to follow in order to take control of their anxiety, which in return, will help manage a person’s business better:

Here are Five Ways to Manage Your Anxiety & Your Business:

Get Rid of the Assumption

A person can be both healthy and a hard worker. Some people have suggested that “the more tired you are, the harder you’re working.” This can be challenging, but if the person practices self-care and has a devotion to committing to their overall well-being, then it is possible.

Acceptance

Accept that there are things that we are outside of our control. Whenever you are feeling out of your comfort zone or feel that things are not going your way, think of the Serenity Prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Create a Healthy Bubble

It is important to be assertive and to create healthy boundaries in your space. Leslie shares that she has learned in the long run that not having a positive attitude can make people resentful towards us, “A lot of people get this confused with being aggressive, but that’s completely different. We must assert our feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, frustrated, defensive, or passive.”

Exercise Regularly

Doing physical activity produces endorphins, which is a “feel good” chemical that affects the brain to act as a natural painkiller. It improves the ability to sleep, which is an increasing problem for entrepreneurs and people in the workforce. According to The American Institute of Stress, 34% of laborers have reported having difficulty sleeping.

Social Interaction

Being social has a positive influence on people physically and mentality, according to Leslie. She points out that people need to cut out time for hobbies, activities that interest them outside of work, and relaxation, “We can easily be consumed by whatever makes us stress. Whether it be our job, being a caretaker of responsibilities, or school. It’s important that we take breaks and do what we enjoy or what makes us most relaxed.

We need to keep in mind the bigger picture: We are more than employers. We are more than business owners. Our interests will allow us to take a step back from our stressful side of life and actually force us to refocus and have a better mindset.

Content courtesy of  Lara Ashley, Founder and Editor of Brenley Magazine, Redefining what it means to be a Southern belle; an online magazine that helps women wear their crowns with grace.

Contributing Author, Lara Ashley

Lara Ashley is a multifaceted Journalist. Lara Ashley obtained her Mass Communications degree at Southern University and A&M College and is obtaining a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism in the U.K. from Cardiff University. When she’s not watching her fav reality shows (LOVES the Real Housewives franchise), spending her afternoons watching Netflix or with a good book, she’s writing and journaling.

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