Entrepreneurship necessitates stress -- male or female. Starting a business is not best suited for the already overly anxious, stressed individual. Business owners must learn to juggle business and life's ups and downs, decisions and rejections, every minute of every day and night. But women in America are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression. Researchers believe that a combination of several factors, including the "effects of estrogen on the stress hormone, cortisol, the prevalence of the victimization of women and the fact that women are likely to ruminate over their problems cause women to experience higher rates of anxiety. But, none of these factors prevent women from using the tools they have available to not just handle their stress but TO CONQUER IT.
Do you relate with this picture?
If you don't then perhaps you are not as human as you think. Every woman entrepreneur I know or have ever worked with at one time or another has looked like this and experienced the stress, anxiety, frustration and, yes, out-of-control, out-of-body desire to scream and/or punch something.
Of course, men have these feelings and experiences as well, but society grants them permission to yell, scream and sometimes physically express themselves.
But, this blog is not a dialogue on the fairness of what is and isn't appropriate for men's and women's behavior. It is a How-To for women entrepreneurs to deal and conquer their stress.
Tip (1) Talk Out Your Feelings Women entrepreneurs experience a sense of isolation that often leads to stress and anxiety. Find another women entrepreneur, a consultant, a significant other/spouse who will listen to you at that moment you need to talk. Remind this other person, as I used to say to my husband, "I want you to listen to me - I DON"T WANT Answers!" Holding in your emotions only leads to more stress which eventually will get you -- and too often effect your health. Don't hold back - let it out. If you absoultely don't have someone to vent to - and a friend will not do -- get outdoors and let it rip where you won't be heard.
Tip (2) Delegate Women entrepreneurs are notorious for doing it all. Even those who have grown large companies tend to hold on too tightly to some part of their life. How often have you felt out of control because a business obligation has gotten in the way of a personal obligation. Delegate something. Delegate anything. Sometimes just asking someone to do something for you will immediately relieve the overwhelming stress you are feeling. Delegate a simple call. Delegate an errand. You are not the only person in the world able to do X - whatever X is. The world will NOT come to an end if you don't pick up the laundry, or the dog, or schedule the appointment with that client who needs to see you. But, be clear -- if you do not take care of business the stress will only build later. Delegate a task or two or three and watch how more comfortable you feel.
Tip (3) Breathe Women entrepreneurs tend not to breathe. OK I'm kidding, of course you breathe but you don't often take deep breaths and hold them long enough to allow yourself to calm down and relax. I know - I've been there. You are not too busy to take a few moments every day to breath in for the count of ten and out for the count of ten....even if you have to do it when you excuse yourself to the bathroom. Allowing yourself to feel your body when it is truly calm and relaxed will let you know where you want to get back to when you feel stress coming on. You can't know what relaxed is if ytou have never felt it. So, start today but doing some deep breathing at least once each day - ten times. The results will amaze you.
Women entrepreneurs may experience more stress due to the overwhelming demands on our time and our biological makeup, but we can conquer it by using the 3 tips outlined above.
I am always available to listen to you -- one entrepreneurial woman to another.
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