Business owners: use these tools for stepping off the road to burnout.

If you run a business, there’s going to be stress. That’s a fact. Occasional stress typically isn’t troublesome, however, problems arise when stress becomes continuous because it can interfere with your professional performance and your personal life—which compounds into even more stress! If you’re experiencing stress and anxiety as a business owner, here are five ways you can step off the road leading to burnout.

Note what’s going right

Too often it’s the squeaky wheel that gets our attention. While attending to business problems, it’s easy to lose sight that many things are still going well. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s gone wrong, pause and take note of what’s going right.

Recall some times when you faced other challenges and successfully moved beyond them. Draw on the confidence of past wins to fuel your momentum to solve today’s problems.

Notice what’s happening with your body

Intense and prolonged stress can be very harmful to your body. Oftentimes, subtle signs grow into more chronic problems such as headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure and mood swings. Learn to recognize your body’s stress cues. Find healthy ways to relieve stress, which can be as simple as taking a walk or talking with a friend.

If your health symptoms are bothersome or concerning to you or your loved ones, consider scheduling a visit with your doctor. Like problems that arise in your business, medical problems are easier to remedy if they are addressed sooner rather than later.

Join a business support group

It’s very likely that there are many other business owners in your community facing the same challenges as you. One way to alleviate business stress is to join or start a small business group that creates a safe place to share with peers who understand what it’s like to be in each other’s shoes because they’re business owners too.

Joining a professional group or your local chamber of commerce can give you access to new insights and provide opportunities for mutual support.

Schedule time off

Many business owners fall into the trap of being on duty 24/7. As a result, they never feel truly rested or refreshed. If you think it’s impossible to take time off, start with scheduling yourself small blocks of time. For example, leave an hour early next Wednesday. Slowly build up to taking leave for longer durations.

Another way to reclaim time for rest and relaxation is to have a quitting time each day after which you no longer check email or respond to business texts or phone calls. Clearly communicate your availability with staff and clients so they know when to expect to hear from you.

Alleviate financial stress

A great deal of business owner stress arises from managing finances. In many cases, better cash flow can help alleviate worry. Talk to a Consumers commercial loan officer to learn what resources are available to you, such as SBA loans and business lines of credit. We specialize in helping small- and medium-sized businesses the big banks tend to overlook.

If your business isn’t banking at Consumers, call 800-991-2221 or get in touch with one of our commercial loan officers who can help you grow your business.

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