Stress Management for Female Entrepreneurs
“Stress acts as an accelerator: it will push you either forward or backward, but you choose which direction.”
―Chelsea Erieau
According to the Mental Health Foundation, stress is described as: “The feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure.” Stress is something we can all relate to, especially female entrepreneurs. Balancing all the responsibilities of a professional life leaves little room for personal upkeep.
One of the deadly ways stress can attack us is how it makes us feel unworthy of feeling better. Of doing things for ourselves because there is always something or someone else to worry about or get done. Stress is selfish, it wants your full focus. It can control your life, keeping you in a state of constant worry and fear where you cannot even draw a breath without feeling guilty about wasting time.
And with over 13 million women owned businesses in the US, the need to change this epidemic of stressed-out people becomes a necessity for the livelihood of so many families.
From customer retention, building a social media presence, kids, husbands, and the 1,000 other things on our plate, it is no wonder ladypreneurs are staggering around trying to find their footing on the slippery mental health slope.
Thankfully in recent years, there has been more advocacy of and tools for people to manage their stress levels.
Women being naturally more sensitive to the external world around them are more likely to experience stress. With greater sensitivity to the thoughts and feelings of others there is more potential for overwhelm to create an internal atmosphere of imbalance when trying to “do it all.” Things like perfectionism, confrontation, imposter syndrome, and the loneliness of entrepreneurship can create a storm of internal chaos that stresses out an already overworked mind.
The often unknown danger of stress is that it not only affects your mood, social, and mental performance, but it can have serious detrimental effects on your body. Entrepreneurs that are constantly under stress can experience physical symptoms like headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. If left unchecked, emotional strain can develop into depression, panic attacks, or other deeper forms of anxiety and worry.
All of this is more than overwhelming. On top of the major issues in the world: social and racial disputes, environmental issues, wars and, world hunger etc. Each of us individually have our own issues to stress over: family drama, romantic relationships, work/life balance, maintaining health, maintaining social relationships, and so much more.
I don’t have to spell it out to you any further than that, I’m sure as you read the above your own stressors were triggered in your mind.
With all that overloading our minds, it makes you understand why entrepreneurs are sometimes likened to hermits. Turning from friends and family to grind on their craft, believing they can slow down once they reach “X” goal.
Life is hard. business is hard. No one who has started a business would tell you differently. Even for those, we see as “blessed”, who seem to have it all together and haven’t a care in the world, believe me, they too feel the strain of entrepreneurship however well they hide it. And now you must be wondering, “What is your point here? Where is the punchline where you tell us what to do to make this go away?” And funnily enough, I’m here to help you find that on your own.
While yes, there is a multitude of great ways you can manage and overcome stress from therapy, exercise, essential oils, and journaling my message here isn’t to push one of those methods on you. Instead I believe each entrepreneur must create their own systems and structures within their business model that supports their wellness from the inside out.
Finding ways that are specific to you that support your efforts when you feel depleted are what allows you to build sustainability into your business.
As an example, my formula for stress reduction is as follows:
Regular massage + baking + essential oils + Pilates + blanket nests + bubble baths + a clean home + journaling + tea + organization = Stress Free Kai.
Now, is that formula all-inclusive? No. The above formula shows just some of the ways I use to realign my mind and body back into a state of peace.
Along with those activities are the more challenging side to stress reduction. The difficult self-work needs to be done to improve our internal mindset and systems to prevent my stress from getting out of hand. Correcting any negative self-talk and setting boundaries with yourself are some of the ways you can manage your stress for the long-term.
In order to maintain a better balance you must work on shifting your mindset. Rewire your thought patterns and create a more determined and encouraging you. One that doesn’t allow negative stress to get in the way of your ambition.
It is easy? No.
Do you have to do it alone? Also no.
From loved ones, self-help books, and blogs (like this one!) there are always ways to get the guidance you need.
Final Notes:
So, if you want a punchline to this post it would be: “Be brave”, as Rafael in ‘Jane the Virgin’ would say.
Find your strength and ask for help when you need it. Learn to recognize when you are teetering on the edge of burnout. Analyze what in your life makes you happy and start making that your priority. It likely will take time and effort, and might be uncomfortable at first as you are probably not used to being a priority in your own life.
That is no way to live, you were not created to be a slave to stress. I challenge you instead to turn the tables on it. Let that stress fuel your desire to be better, and take your control back.
Acknowledge your fears and honor your responsibilities while working on creating a new balance. When healthy, stress is not all bad. Stress gives us the ability to prioritize, to keep us safe when dangers are around. It can even be a part of adrenaline-filled excitement, like when riding a rollercoaster, nerve-wracking but exhilarating! Balance is where women in business thrive. Find your formula of what tastes, smells, sounds, and experiences help you cultivate your way to prioritize yourself and keep your stress within healthy levels.
As always I believe in you, you can do this, you are important.
Don’t allow deadlines, possibilities, and what if’s, dictate your life and your business.
Something I’ve recently adopted in my own life is the need to stay in the present moment, it’s all you have. To live in the past or have trepidation over the future will do nothing except waste your now. Where you actually are is in the moment, and is where you can make the most impact on your life. Let tomorrows problems be for tomorrow.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
If you cannot even imagine what that would feel like, then you know some work needs to be done. There is no shame in where you are now. Each of us takes life at our own pace.. Take responsibility for your happiness, and don’t let stress hold you back from seeing how far you can go.
If you want help managing your stress better as an entrepreneur I welcome you to peruse my resource page and get the support you need, one business owner to the next.
Until nest time,
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