Beat business burnout: Five strategies for less stress, more success

April may be stress awareness month, but that doesn’t mean the pressure on business owners suddenly disappears in May. Running a business is demanding, and managing stress is vital. Here are five top strategies to take the weight off your shoulders, protect your wellbeing, and boost your business’s resilience. But first, some stats…

UK stress statistics

Almost a quarter of UK adults report that work regularly causes them stress, meaning that this is a real, substantial problem for many people.

Nearly 15% of people experience mental health problems in the workplace, and estimates suggest that better mental health support at work could save UK businesses up to £8 billion annually.

And perhaps unbelievably, it is reported that in 2022/23 the average UK employee took close to 20 days of sick leave for stress, depression or anxiety.

Statistics like these are alarming, but they do serve to remind us of the importance of managing stress at work. However, there are some small things you can do to help, and while professional help should be sought for more serious mental health issues, these tips might just help you manage those small everyday anxieties.

Top five tips for managing business stress

1. Set boundaries: Define clear working hours and communicate these to your clients and staff. Outside of hours, resist checking emails or taking work calls unless it’s a real emergency. Protect evenings and weekends for recharging and properly disconnecting.

2. Delegate wisely: Identify tasks that can be handled by employees, contractors or even virtual AI assistants. This can free up your time to focus on high-level strategy and the things that only you can do. Invest time in training others, then empower them to lighten your load.

3. Prioritise self-care: The ethos that there’s more to life than just work is very powerful. Commit to regular exercise, even if it’s just a brisk walk during a lunch break, aim to eat balanced meals, and aim for a regular healthy amount of sleep. These shouldn’t be considered ‘luxuries’, they’re non-negotiable essential investments in your ability to sustain your business.

4. Master time management: Make use of tools like to-do lists to prioritise everyday tasks, and calendars to block out time for specific projects. Consider using a method like the Pomodoro technique (or your own version of it) to split your day into more management periods.

5. Build your network: Connect with other business owners through local groups or online communities. Having a support system to share challenges and get advice is invaluable, and who better to understand your regular stresses and strains than somebody who’s going through the same thing.

The Zen difference: stress-reducing technology solutions

We won’t pretend that being with Zen is in any way a solution to business stress or anxiety, but we’re not called Zen for no reason!

When you find a technology partner who can take care of your cloud, connectivity, hosting and voice needs, it just gives you a few less things to worry about.

From award-winning, rock-solid connectivity to simplified management and a responsive, people-first team that’s committed to your business needs, in our own small way we can help.

Why not check out our business solutions today and discover how technology can help bring you peace of mind.