It always seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything I want done. As a freelance writer I tend to have many small projects going on at any given time. Thinking about all of those projects and all the things I need to do can lead to quite a bit of stress and anxiety.

A few weeks ago I wrote about how time management was a big way you could cut back your stress and now I want to give you some more ways to help with your stress. As a solo entrepreneur you probably have a million things going on like me. So here are some of the things I’ve been doing to alleviate stress…

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep every night seems like a simple enough thing. However it’s all too easy to end up staying up later than you intended working on a new project or finishing up just one last page. You might think taking that little extra time away from sleep to get things done will help you stop stressing out, right? Wrong!

Being fully rested is much more beneficial for your body and your work. According to WebMD, lack of sleep can result in inattentiveness, forgetfulness and even symptoms similar to depression. Sure, staying up late every now and then probably isn’t too bad, but don’t make a habit of it. Make sure you get enough sleep so you feel rested! Once you wake up you’ll be alert and calm – ready to take on your day.

Get Away from the Computer

Every day you should make sure to step away from your computer. Take time to think about your business and the ‘big picture’. It’s so easy to get lost in the day-to-day details and get bogged down stressing the small stuff. The key is focusing on the big picture. When you step back, you can focus on the future. This can help you feel more energized about your work and also cut down on your stress when you realize how everything fits in the bigger scheme of things.

Personally I like to do this while taking a short walk everyday – no music or podcasts! It means I get away from technology for a bit (when everything you do is on the computer this is important!) and just have time to think and take everything into perspective. It’s also great because it means I get up and moving around which is good for anyone.

Delegate Tasks

Here on the Van Patten Media blog we’re always giving you reasons to delegate tasks to others. The truth is it just works! By delegating the smaller, time-consuming tasks to freelancers or employees, you’re doing yourself a favor. You’ll have more time to focus on the more important aspects of your work which means you feel less stressed.

Meditate

Taking time to meditate every day is another great method of melting away your stress. There are a number of different ways you can meditate like mantra meditation, transcendental meditation, and yoga, just to name a few. Meditation produces a deep state of relaxation and can help you clear your mind of the things you’re stressed about. The Mayo Clinic has a great overview of meditation – what the benefits are, the different types of meditation, and even how you can start meditating on your own.

I recommend finding a form of meditation that works best for you. Every morning before I start working I do about 15 minutes of yoga and stretching and then another 15 minute session in the afternoon. This really helps me start with a fresh slate and re-energize later in the day. Some amazing successful entrepreneurs utilize meditation too, like Oprah Winfrey and Arianna Huffington.

Solo entrepreneur?

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