Taking time away from work and finding ways to relax is extremely important for the health of small business owners and their companies. However, finding ways to do so can be extremely difficult, especially during busy times. Here we’ve outlined several ways you can relieve stress during the summer months.

Vacation

Taking a true vacation is a great way to unwind and unplug. Choose a destination that will allow you to relax and work off any lingering stress. Make sure all of your business affairs are in order and you leave clear instructions for your management team. You want any loose ends tied up before you leave so you don’t have to work during your trip. Provide a way for your team to reach you, but only in the case of emergencies.

Massage

Seriously, get one. Chances are you’ll be hooked and make it a regular thing. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, studies have shown massage therapy can help reduce low back pain, lower blood pressure and reduce headache frequency. The pressure of owning a small business can take its toll on your body and a regular massage is a great way to maintain and relax.

Delegation

It is important to realize what needs to be handled by you, the owner, and what can be delegated out. Trying to micromanage is where a lot of small business owners run into stress. It is true that you need reliable employees to hand out tasks to, so when you see an employee that goes beyond, try to give them a more important task. This will take some of the stress off of you and will allow the employee to gain skills and experience.

Balance

When running a small business, personal time can be hard to come by. When you actually do have a day off, make sure you actually remove yourself from your work mindset and take the day off. If you’re in a business where you are inside all the time, consider an outing to a park or beach. Being outside of what is your normal work environment can do wonders to refresh your mind and renew your passion for the business you have committed to.

Breaks

When the stress of the daily grind starts to get to you, take a break. Going through your day without any time to yourself can be counterproductive. Micro-breaks between 30 seconds and 5 minutes can increase mental acuity up to 13%. A 15 second break every 10 minutes can reduce fatigue by 50%. Keeping yourself mentally sharp not only allows you to make better business decisions, it will make your time at work more enjoyable.

Organization

Organization can have several stress relieving benefits to a small business owner. The increase in organization will help to improve your time management and allow you to accomplish daily tasks more efficiently. It will also allow you to locate important items and paperwork more handily. Knowing where things are and being able to react to issues in the business in a timely fashion will give you piece of mind knowing you are prepared for any situation.

Exercise

It’s long been known that exercise can greatly reduce stress levels. It can be hard for a small business owner to find the time to work out, however, it is very important in keeping your body and mind sharp. There are lots of workout plans that take less than twenty minutes and can be done by people at all fitness levels. Exercise causes a release of endorphins, which puts you in a better mood and will allow you to leave the stress of work behind.

Sleep

Many small business owners suffer from a lack of quality sleep. Not getting enough sleep can cause several health issues including high blood pressure and a decreased immune system. As a business owner, chances are you are not able to take a sick day. This being the case, it is important that you get enough rest and keep yourself healthy. Sleep deprivation can also cause poor judgment. Being the sole decision maker for your business, it is vital that you make those decisions with a clear, focused and well rested mind.

Diet

A proper diet can have several mental and physical health benefits that will make you a more productive owner. Eating well and consistently will help to keep your energy levels up. It also will improve your mood throughout the day as you will not feel tired and irritable. A healthy diet can have long-term effects on your personal health as well as the health of your small business.

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