I have always been a night owl, but this was different than just simply getting a second wind. It was 2:35 am, and I was frantically trying to turn off my brain.
Thoughts of the notes of a meeting, the deadline for that next article, and how I was going to incorporate that new resource into my Instagram feed were buzzing through my head. I could feel the stress rising and my thoughts spinning: about the upcoming month themes, how to grow my social media following, and the collaboration pitches I sent out that I had yet to hear back about. I could feel my heart palpitating and my legs were restless.
Why was I so stressed out in the middle of the night?
Well… because I suffer from anxiety.
I haven’t really shared this often, but I’ve had anxiety my whole life. People believe if you have anxiety, it’s something that’s easy to overcome—that by simply “chilling out” it will go away. This isn’t the truth. Becoming an entrepreneur has forced me to find strategies to manage these reactions so that I can remain productive and effective.
Even though the rewards of being an entrepreneur can definitely have their payoffs, with dreams of big exits and the like, your mental health deserves some serious attention.
Whether you are also naturally inclined to stress or anxiety or if it is situational for you, you’ll need to adopt some strategies if you’re serious about the success of your own business. Here are a few of my favorites.
Exercise
Between being an entrepreneur, a mom, and a military spouse, my days are long. Starting my day off with movement makes a huge difference in my overall mental and emotional wellbeing. I’m happier and calmer throughout the day and a lot more focused. Many times I have put movement on the back burner or skipped it completely and man, I feel the effect of it.
There are many options I enjoy depending on my time and energy level. I love walking, yoga, and barre. I just recently discovered how much I love strength training. Don’t have time for a traditional workout? Take some time during your lunch or coffee break in your day to move around and stretch.
You’ll get away from the source of your stress while also benefiting from the endorphins exercise releases.
Meditation
Meditation is something that I am continually working on. When your anxiety strikes, your thoughts will be everywhere. You will think relative to the past and future. You can’t fix the past, and you don’t know what the future will bring.
The present is the best place to be.
Meditation will bring you back to the present and help you focus. You can use a guided meditation in the beginning and then move on to your own version. I recommend starting and ending your day with an easy 10-15 minutes guided meditation. When the practice is over, you’ll be ready for the challenges that will come your way and also be able to better prepare for sleep.
Improve Your Sleep Hygiene
Speaking of sleep, I have a history of some of the worst sleep hygiene practices. What does this even mean? Good sleep hygiene is all about putting yourself in the best position to sleep well each and every night. Optimizing your sleep schedule, pre-bed routine, and daily routines is part of harnessing habits to make quality sleep feel more automatic. And don’t forget to make your sleep area ideal for optimal sleep: Create a room that's cool, dark and quiet, avoid prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime. Doing calming activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath or using relaxation techniques, are also helpful in promoting better sleep.
Brain Dump/Journaling
I have had a paper journal/planner my entire life. I have tried to go digital, but I simply can’t. I need to get my thoughts onto paper. There’s something magical when you get your thoughts on paper. They aren’t so overwhelming anymore. You can release your full self and everything you’re feeling.
When I perceive my anxiety and stress rising, I write it all down. I make a to-do list, brain dump my worries, and journal any perceived solutions. I recommend giving this a try. Trust me, once you’re done with this exercise, you will feel better too! Your journal will be your go-to friend.
Schedule a Catch-All Day
One of the biggest things that’s helped me manage stress is the way I use my weekends. Throughout the week, things continue to pile up and my to-do list just gets longer and longer. Anything that’s not going to move the needle for me at the moment, I either decide not to do (maybe because I’ll put it on somebody else’s plate), or schedule it for the “weekend”.
Now before you chastise me for working too much, hear me out.
Depending on the weekend plans and my husband’s work schedule, I choose either Saturday or Sunday to be my catch-all day. I’ll get up early and spend three to four hours in the morning going through all of my low-priority tasks. By clearing out this list and prepping for the week ahead, I’m able to start the next week really fresh. It also helps me relax the rest of the weekend because I know there is a specific time to work on those things bogging down on my energy.
Find Your People
One final suggestion: Join a group of entrepreneurs, such as the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs! Not only can you tap into resources to grow your business, but finding your “people” provides you with an outlet when your anxiety takes over. They gather like-minded individuals together who understand and can relate to what you’re going through. That alone can really help solve your stress and anxiety.
What other strategies have you used to keep your stress and anxiety in check?
Noralee Jones is a MILSO of 12 years, mom of 4, and writer/creator at Mrs. Navy Mama. Having experiences with 7 deployments, 4 PCS moves alone and the author of the Self-Care Guide for MILSOs, she is an expert on the importance of taking the time to focus on filling our bodies, minds, and souls with our individual needs in order to make the most out of our lives. She is also the Co-Author of The Newbie’s Guide to Military Life and focuses on supporting MILSOs through the ups and downs of military life through Mrs. Navy Mama. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
