Guest post by Chelsea Lamb at Business Pop
Audio version here: https://anchor.fm/reel-review-by-lauryn
Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high, with the pandemic exacerbating unprecedented widespread mental health issues. Add the everyday stress of trying to run and grow a successful business, and it’s no wonder you’re feeling overwhelmed. Fight the symptoms of burnout using these tips:
Combat Dread First Thing
Many people suffering from burnout wake up with a feeling of dread on workdays but begin their day by picking up their phones and checking their email. While this may feel like a productive thing to do, you’re missing an opportunity to get your day started off on a positive and mentally healthy foot.
Instead of picking up your phone and immediately giving your life over to the demands of others, take some time first thing in the morning to connect with yourself and charge your battery for the day. Take ten minutes to practice mindful meditation or go for an early morning walk. Pay special attention to your body as it gets used to being awake for the day, feeling grateful for everything that it does for you. Spend time thinking of the positive things in your life, even in these stressful times, that you are grateful for.
Fight Exhaustion by Optimizing Breaks
It’s tempting to spend workday breaks scrolling on your phone, but much of work duty is frequently spent looking at screens. When you’re tired at work, spend your breaks doing activities that help rejuvenate you and give your brain a break.
Instead, consider engaging your body. Lack of movement throughout the workday is hazardous to your health, but even small movements and exercises can help reduce the harm done to your mind and body by the ceaseless sitting that work can entail. Consider a regular walking lunch, and devote 30 minutes every day to moving. If you want more, try running instead. Whatever you choose, invest in a fitness tracker or smartwatch with a swanky band to enhance motivation and help you track your progress.
Dehydration can also contribute to exhaustion, so drink water during your breaks to give you more energy and boost your mood. Vitamin deficiencies can cause you to feel tired, as well, so pack a nutrient-rich snack to enjoy during your breaks and take a vitamin if necessary.
Stop Feeling Overwhelmed by Sharing the Load
When you’re an entrepreneur, your business can feel like your baby, and it can be difficult to feel comfortable letting other people manage important aspects of its functioning. Spreading yourself too thin, though, is a recipe for disaster. The damage from you burning out will be much more significant than the small pains that might accompany letting someone else share the load.
Look at everything in your business that is essential to its functioning. This might include product production, services performed, money management, social media management, and other things vital to your business’s success. Decide which of these you are best suited to handling and which can be designated to someone else.
Payroll and taxes are two areas where mistakes can result in costly fines and the degradation of employee trust and satisfaction. Use a payroll service to take the worry of getting employee paychecks (you can set up a schedule, for example) and court-mandated payouts such as alimony and child support correct off your shoulders. If you’re on the fence, ask what is payroll help worth to you and your business? Do you really have the time to handle weekly payroll and keep track of all of your finances? If the answer is no, then it’s time to employ a service that can manage payroll as well as handle your taxes so that you don’t have to keep up with changing tax laws. Services such as these may seem extravagant but save you money in the long run.
Be proactive with handling the symptoms of burnout so that you can continue leading your business with confidence. Start your day off right and build from that foundation with meaningful breaks and by delegating tasks. You and your business will both be better off for it.