As a business and health coach, I hear a daily cry from my women in business clients: "I can't take the stress of being all things to all people - HELP ME! What can I do to get it all done?"
My guess is that if you are reading this blog you can easily relate with the picture here. Stress is part of every day life in America and women entrepreneurs clearly feel more than their fair share.
Stress is often proclaimed as a major contributor for the development of heart disease, cancer, fatigue, asthma, tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), insomnia, alcoholism and more. Even the common cold can be attrributed to stress as the body's immune system when over stressed can't do it's job to fight off germs.
Take a look at how every part of your body responds to the stress in your life. If this graph doesn't shout out the fact that you need to take control of the stress in your life nothing will.
The human body's nervous system responds to the stress by releasing the stress hormones (adrenalin and cortisol) which prepare the body for flight or fight. Unfortunately, most of today's stressors do not require us to flee or fight. The over release of these hormones cause havoc over time on our body.
Understanding the stress in your life is the first step to learning how to control it. As a matter of fact, I coach my clients to find ways to benefit from the stress in their lives. Yes, stress can actually be a benefit to you and your business if you accept it.
Women in business must first acknowledge that they have stress in their life and that dealing with it requires a plan. Recognizing the problem is not as easy as it sounds. Stress can't be reduced if we ignore it's origin. For example, women who feel guilty at work when they believe they should be at home and guilty at home when they feel they should be working. Guilt is a major stressor. Banning guilt from your life will reduce your stress.
Tip #1 - Live in the moment - the most important place for you to be is exactly where you are right now. Even stressful situations give us an opportunity to learn something new and prepare for the next one. When you live in the moment you give yourself the chance to experience life fully. I promise you'll find life more exhilarating when you focus on what you are doing.
Tip #2 - Fit out rather than fit in - most of life stressors happen because we spend a lot of time attempting to be like some one else. Can you imagine how much easier it would be to just be yourself? We are surrounded by books and self-help gurus who beg us to be "authentic" - true to ourselves. Well, it turns out that when we do what comes naturally to us we don't experience as much stress. Think of how important this lesson is for your children. I can speak from experience that by living my life "doing it my way", my son has grown into his own man. He stands out rather than fitting in. Being unique means you will be memorable and in return you'll feel less stress.
Tip #3 - Get moving - your body was built for movement. In simple language, muscles provide information to our brain to renew the cells throughout our body. You need to move your muscles regularly (yes, exercise) in order for cellular renewal. Of course, regularly exercise also offers the opportunity for better breathing techniques getting more oxygen into our body so you can turn food into energy. Plan on at least 45 minutes of movement each day to reduce stress and repair your body.
Tip #4 - Proactive rather than reactive - having a reasonable daily plan to execute helps mitigate stress. Believe it or not, I know many stressed-out yoga teachers and quite a few calm and relaxed surgeons. So why are people who spend their day in states of calm so stressed-out and those in life and death situations relaxed? The answer is the ability to be proactive rather than reactive. Stress is a part of life regardless of your occupation. Women entrepreneurs make a choice in starting a business and must prepare for the obvious stress that will follow. Planniing for trouble does not bring it on. It prepares us. Can you imagine if a surgeon did not prepare for potential problems? Every woman in business knows what events will more than likely bring stress so the more she prepares for it the better she can react to it. For example, if you know that you have a potential employee problem deal with it straight on. Don't wait until the situation is out of control. Out of control guarantees stress. Make a plan for each day and adhere to it as closely as possible. Build in time for small crises and when they don't happen take extra time to be grateful for the day.
Tip # 5 - Build Healthy Relationships - being human requires us to need and be needed. Unfortunately, relationships are the cause of much of the stress in all of our lives. Many of my clients share that it is their work that offers them the greatest happiness when their relationships fail. Relationships are not easy as they require time and attention - two things most of us have little of. But, without healthy relationships in our life nothing else eventually matters because the human spirit requires that we have a purpose and meaning. Sharing your wins and losses, your strengths and weaknesses, your happiness and sadness with others will allow you to reduce your stress. If the major relationship in your life is not working don't give up on building another your health and success depend on it. We all need to be listened to and to listen. I promise healthy relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and community will have a ROI for a more successful business and less stressful life.
There is no reason to give in to stress and exacerbate your health and the health of your business. Take a moment now to adopt these 5 tips and take back control of your life.
And, if you need help email me here vicki@vickidonlan.com
