So, what is working at home, and coping with stress, really all about?
Most of us have been stressed working at home at some point. Aside from the stress of having to find new clients and new jobs, we often encounter stress because jobs come in mad, occasional bursts. Some days our to do list is almost empty, and the following days it seems like we can hardly keep up
Deadlines can be overwhelming, and when one is affected, effectiveness plunges. The brain is no longer focused on creativity and action.
When your stress level stacks up, here’s what to do. First, reduce stress by… Stopping what you’re doing. Sounds a bit basic, but it’s really hard to do, just stop. Stress can cause health problems or make problems worse if you don’t learn ways and adapt to deal with it.
The next step is to find a way to deal with your stress. A simple way is to avoid the circumstance/situation that leads to our stress, but most of the time this is not feasible. Another way is to change how we react to stress. This is often the best way.
Here’s a few simple strategies that you can put in place that will keep us in control of our time…and our sanity.
Tips for dealing with working at home stress:
1) Eat a healthy and balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. Reduce or eliminate caffeine (coffee, black and green tea, cola drinks, and chocolate). Because caffeine is a stimulant, it can make you feel more anxious.
2) Exercise. It relieves tension and provides a timeout from stressful situations.
3) Try to take time every day to slow down and do something you enjoy, even if it is just for a few minutes. Reading a magazine, playing with your dog, listening to music, reading a book or any other activity that helps you forget the stresses of your day can calm you and help you remember what is important.
4) Work at being cheerful and optimistic. Use humor to lighten difficult situations.
5) Take very long, relaxing deep breaths anytime you notice you’re feeling stressed.
6) If the nature of any of your tasks allow it, call upon a colleague who can help you. If you’ve never done this before, now is the perfect time to start. The nice thing about this sort of arrangement is your colleague will most likely send jobs your way when he or she gets overloaded. (Warning: do not hand over tasks that must be carried out only by you as the principal of the business. Your reputation is important.)
7) Organizing and simplifying your life. If one of your main sources of stress is the sheer number of things that need to be done, getting organized should help you feel more at peace. A good sense of organization will also make you more efficient. Simplifying your life also should help you feel less overwhelmed.
Set Achievable Daily Goals. If you finish a task ahead of schedule, start the next… but stick to a definite cut-off time each day. What you are doing this week is set up a system that will continue to work for you.
Follow these tips and before you know it, your home business dream will be on track once again.
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