Credit to our guest writer: Amy Collett of BizWell.org.

Every freelancer, consultant, and small business owner knows that business has a lot of ups and downs. These days, many entrepreneurs are having to change the way they conduct business, and that can cause a great deal of stress, anxiety, and heightened emotions.

Keeping your emotions and your business finances at a healthy distance can be hard, but it’s not impossible. If you need a reset for your mental and physical well-being around work, try one (or all) of these tips.

Create clear boundaries.

Small businesses can often feel like family businesses. There is a lot of good in that. When your employees feel more invested in your business, they are more loyal to you. However, sometimes that can result in blurred lines and uncomfortable financial situations. 

For instance, small business owners may feel indebted to help an employee that frequently asks for pay advances. You might even know the personal situation that often leads to their asking. You can offer to help them create a budget or talk through money management strategies. You could also offer to pay them more frequently, like weekly or even daily if your payroll software has the capacity. 

Likewise, if a client is often late or behind on payments, you might feel more inclined to give them grace if you are friends of long-time business associates. But if this is causing you financial strain, you need to figure out a solution you can live with. Be sure that helping occasionally doesn’t turn into enabling.

Cope with exercise.

Money is the biggest cause of stress for most Americans, according to Northwestern Mutual. Exercise is a great way to relieve that tension and help keep you focused on your business goals without feeling overwhelmed. 

You can track your progress and keep an eye on other wellness goals, like sleep and meditation, with a smartwatch or fitness tracker. MyRunningPal and RunTastic are two free apps that connect to the GPS on your phone. Elevate your game with a smartwatch like a Garmin Forerunner or Apple Watch Series 6—both of which have a lot of great features, like an electrocardiogram and blood oxygen sensors for the latter and multisport tracking for the former.

Make deeper connections.

Reaching out to your social and professional network can help sustain you through work-related challenges. Spending more time with your friends, in-person or on Zoom, can help boost your mental well-being. And if that time is spent walking or jogging safely together, you also improve your physical health, too. 

Don’t forget to foster your professional network. While you may not be actively looking for more or different work, opening doors with your colleagues can help you feel more financially secure about your future. 

Establish a morning routine.

Many people find that a morning routine that involves some kind of reflection and meditation is the foundation for a successful and stress-free day. This can be especially more impactful for people who are managing added stress and tension from business and finances. 

Many lost nights of sleep come and go over financial decisions, but no matter how much sleep you got the night before, wake up at the same time every day, and take the time to write down the things and people you are grateful for. Take 15 to 20 minutes for some stretching or gentle yoga and then another 10 to 20 for silent meditation. 

The best way to survive stressful times is to focus on your mental and physical health. Stress and your health are in constant dialogue. They both impact each other. The more you focus on self-care, especially during the lean times, the more likely your business will survive. And when you are in need of strategic guidance for your business, look no further than Strategic Voyages Business Consultants. Get in touch now.