Starting a business has never been easy. Anyone who has a potentially profitable idea and a bit of capital can go online and open a digital storefront. However, the real challenge is turning a small venture into a full-fledged company with multiple staff members and then keeping it afloat in a very competitive market.
The bigger the company becomes, the harder it will be to maintain. The tasks will pile up, and there will be more responsibilities. That is why, at some point, the business needs to hire people to help them reach milestones and goals.
A Stressful Life
But, even then, the job of an entrepreneur is not easy. Entrepreneurs face a tremendous amount of pressure because their finances, their employees’ jobs, the well-being of consumers, and their dreams are all on the line. If they fail, there is a lot to lose.
Stress is a constant problem among entrepreneurs, whether they are just starting or running a big company. The Gallup Well-Being Index revealed that 45 percent of all entrepreneurs feel stressed compared to only 42 percent of other members of the workforce. The report also revealed that entrepreneurs worry a lot more than other workers.
Stress, especially when it turns chronic, is a huge problem because it can lead to a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Already, entrepreneurs were more likely to experience depression, with a 30 percent higher risk compared to only 16.6 percent in the general population.
In addition, chronic stress can also cause a myriad of negative health outcomes. People who are constantly stressed, including entrepreneurs, are at a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, irritable colon, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
There are ways to find relief from stress, and apps can do a lot to help.
Focus on Nutrition
Diet is part of the reason why many people are stressed. When stressed, people are more likely to eat meals empty of nutrients yet high in calories, fat, and refined sugar. The late nights encourage unhealthy bingeing because, often, it means that people no longer have the time to prepare their own meals or the only opened restaurants are fast-food chains and convenience stores.
However, people must consume a balanced diet no matter how busy their schedules. Previous population-based studies have proven that diets rich in whole foods were associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Meanwhile, the consumption of the Western diet is linked to poor mental health.
In the modern age, you no longer have to worry about having to eat unhealthy meals. You can easily order delicious and nutritious food through delivery apps like Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and more. Through delivery apps, hungry diners are presented with more options.
For an immediate dose of vital vitamins and minerals, entrepreneurs can also schedule intravenous or IV hydration therapy online. The service will go to your location, whether at home or the office, to deliver and administer the treatment.
Be Mindful and Meditate
Meditation is one of the most effective ways to combat stress. Multiple scientific studies back its positive effects on mood and mental health. However, it is not as easy as it sounds, and regular practice is necessary to see changes.
Thankfully, there is an app for that.
There are dozens of meditation apps on the market, all of which can guide you through your journey toward better health. The most popular at present are Headspace, Calm, and The Mindfulness App. All of these apps offer programs to teach you and lead you through the practice of meditation.
These apps also provide quick meditation programs for those who are incredibly busy. During the lunch break, you can sit down in your office and quickly meditate to prepare yourself for the other tasks you still have to face.
You Need a Break
It is important that you pause and take a break every once in a while. Otherwise, you will experience burnout.
It can be hard to remember to rest when you are busy, but breaks keep your mind refreshed and sharp throughout the day. You will end up becoming more productive if you allow yourself to stop working for a few minutes and walk around the office or, better yet, outside.
There are browser extensions and apps that will track your activities during the day and remind you to take a break. The Pomodoro Technique is a time management strategy where the day is divided into phases of work and rest. With regard to this technique, the PomoDoneApp is a timer app that will create time limits throughout the day for work and rest. Meanwhile, Wherever Workout and Stand Up! will remind you that you need to stretch your legs and move during break time.
Stress is part of being an entrepreneur, but it does not have to be. You need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your business and staff, too.