Stress exists in all aspects of employment whether it be encountered in employment or though starting and running a business. Many would argue that levels of stress are generally greater in self employment than in working for someone else.
Whist some in employment might disagree, it is universally recognised that there are pressures involved in running a business that are unique. Perhaps this is partly what accounts for the typical hierarchy of salaries found in organisations, where managers, executives and others with significant responsibilities are usually higher paid.
Their abilities are obviously part of the equation but even here, their ability to cope with the stress of their positions might be inadvertently recognised and thus by association rewarded.
It is believed that there are two elements in successful coping with stress in business. Engaging these attributes does not alleviate stress completely but merely staves off the debilitating effects that extreme fatigue, exhaustion and stress can create.
Planning For Stress
Right from the point of starting a new business, though the anniversaries of the organisation’s existence we all know that stress will exist. With the knowledge that stress will likely appear there are many simply provisions an entrepreneur can adopt to mitigate both its build up and affects.
Basic stress planning such as arranging time off from the business, ensuring adequate cover for the period away can alleviate stress. Sharing some of the responsibilities of management of the business with employees can lessen the workload the entrepreneur has to cope with.
Lifestyle factors often determine the rate at which stress builds up. Those who engage in some form of physical exercise generally cope better than those who do not.
Having interest outside of the business can also disseminates anxiety as does having suitable sleeping patterns.
All of these elements can be considered as stress relievers and well as mechanisms to slow the onset of it in the first place. Planning activities such as these can help with coping with stress in business.
Dealing With Stress
Once the onslaught of stress has begun and the individual is in the midst of it options exists for reducing it to acceptable levels which the entrepreneur can cope with.
One option is counselling which taken in the broadest sense of the word can means seeking the help of a professional or discussing issues with a friend or family member.
If possible taking a break from work at the onset of extreme stress symptoms might be possible if the business can cope for a period without the owner being present.
Referring back to a business plan or the core objectives of the business might aid in re-aligning the focus of the entrepreneur and help them to categorise issues in terms of their importance versus urgency.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Stressmanagement/Pages/Stressbusters.aspx provides useful further reading on coping with stress and lists a number of methods for avoiding, alleviating and coping with stress in business.
