We talk a-lot about cleaning around here. Clean windows, clean construction sites, clean patios, clean siding. You name it, and we talk about cleaning it. But what about our minds? Let’s face it – all of us can use a little help cleaning and clearing our minds every once in a while.
While you can’t avoid stress altogether, simply letting it build up and consume you can lead to a meltdown. A clear mind is a healthy, productive mind. Here are a few ways that you can rid your mind of stress, allowing you to remain focused on achieving your goals.
1. Talk to a friend.
Discussing your problems, obstacles and potential solutions with a friend is a great way to reduce stress. Often we, as entrepreneurs, get so intertwined with our work that we actually cause our own stress.
Simply talking things out can clear up a situation and you learn that things aren’t as bad as you are imagining them to be. Also, just knowing that you have someone in your corner that is always going to be there for you gives you that extra confidence to tackle any situation.
2. Read a great book.
Picking up a book allows you to get away — without actually getting away. Take this time to learn about any topic you wish, including whatever it is that’s causing your current stress. You can gain insight, advice and peace of mind by reading. We like books about cleaning, but you can choose any book you want!
3. Write down your thoughts in a journal.
Writing is something that many entrepreneurs don’t do enough of — yet it’s such a powerful personal exercise that can help you better understand any dilemma or situation. Put a journal on your desk and throw it in your bag when you leave the office — keep it on you at all times.
When a stressful situation presents itself pull out your journal and write down the problem, what is contributing to the problem and possible ways to defuse the problem. Give it a try — I bet you will surprise yourself with how effortlessly you are able to come up with a solution to any issue.
4. Hit the gym hard.
Hitting the gym is a great way to rid your body of stress — you can literally sweat the stress out. Finding the motivation to get to the gym is often the biggest hurdle to overcome, but once you get accustomed to working out regularly you won’t miss the opportunity to de-stress at the gym.
Leave your phone in your car or locker, throw on your headphones and get your blood flowing and heart rate cranking. Aside from de-stressing, the health benefits of regular exercise should be enough to convince you to make this a regular occurrence.
5. Take some time to meditate.
True meditation, when you are able to remove yourself from everything going on in your world and focus only on breathing, has amazing benefits. It eliminates stress, allows you to think clearly, see the big picture and helps reduce the probability of future events stressing you out.
As entrepreneurs, we are so busy — constantly operating with the pedal to the metal — we often forget to pause for a minute and take a step back to simply breathe.
6. Unplug from technology and go for a walk or hike.
Unplug from technology and venture out into nature — a beach, park or hiking trail provides a great setting to forget the stressful situations for a minute and get lost. Connecting with nature reminds you that we, along with the things that cause us to stress out, are just small pieces of a much bigger picture.
