In today’s constantly networked environment, it’s easy to see why executive stress is a huge problem. Often, even when you are out of the office, you are still reachable by phone and email. Additionally, as an executive you have a lot riding on you. Daily decisions can have ripple effects across the lives of many people.
With all of this, it’s no wonder that executives and business owners need stress relief techniques that they can implement throughout the day. We have ten tips to help you beat stress and find calm during a busy, chaotic, or even average day at the office.
1. Go for a walk.
As an executive it’s hard to disconnect from the office. But it’s important to leave your workspace and get outside. We can get hyper-focused on what is right in front of us when we are working. Getting outdoors for a walk, away from the office and away from your phone can help you see the world from a different angle.
2. Exercise
Getting in a run or workout produces endorphins and generally relieves stress. This can help you feel energized, healthy, and stress-free. Just five minutes of aerobics every day can help relieve your body of stress.
3. Get out into nature.
Studies show that immersing yourself in nature can relieve stress and lower stress hormones. So, head on out to the park, jog through that trail behind your house or take a stroll around your yard.
4. Take a tech break.
Like me, I am sure your phone is attached to you at all times. It seems like every moment there could be an important call that you cannot miss. If it’s not a call, then it’s a text, email, tweet, Skype message, Facebook post, or LinkedIn inmail. Technology has made it easy to stay constantly connected and constantly on-call, which isn’t always the best for our stress levels. Set up an hour every day when you turn the tech off. Turn the phone, computer, tv, iPad, and any other device off and go enjoy a cup off coffee, talk with your family, read a book, or get a massage. Taking a tech break can calm your mind and help you focus when you’re back on-call.
5. Enjoy some family time.
A number of successful CEOs say that family time is the most important time of their day. This is because we can be ourselves with family – we don’t have to be the “boardroom” or the “customer service” or “leadership” version of ourselves. So, take some time out to watch your child play soccer or cook dinner with your significant other. Have a chat with your mother or get coffee with your cousin. Be there with the people who know you best, and who love you for who you are.
6. Schedule face time with friends.
It’s always nice to talk to friends over email, Facebook, Twitter, and the phone. But it’s even better to see friendly faces and laugh with them. So, take that tech break and go see your favorite people for lunch or a night out. You’ll be glad you did.
7. Laugh
There are several studies that say laughter is actually the best medicine for stressed-out people. So, start your day out with a Dilbert comic or get some tea with your funniest friend. It’s time to yuk it up!
8. Create games for yourself (and be sure to reward yourself when you win!)
We have talked in the past about how games with fun rewards are excellent motivators for your team. This doesn’t apply exclusively for them – it applies to you too! Don’t make your business a serious affair. Have fun and reward yourself for challenging goals reached.
9. Delegate
We have a great article on how to find out what you most need to delegate. Suffice it to say, if you are doing things that are not strictly your job as a leader, delegate that job by hiring another employee or passing tasks to existing employees. Your business will do better with your mind wholly on your own tasks.
10. Focus on the big picture.
Getting sucked into minutiae is stressful. As a business leader, you need to separate yourself from that and keep the big picture in mind. This one marries well with the “delegate” step. Give any job that is pulling you away from the big picture view to someone else.
Do you need help building a company of competent and productive staff and managers? Contact us today. We help executives shed all of those jobs that stop them from leading their company to success.
