5 Practices to Keep You Calm, Cool and Collected

Managing a business -- the dollars and cents and the people -- can make anyone’s head spin, but you don’t have to let people see you sweat. Make decisions throughout your daily life to keep you from reaching the boiling point.

Here are our 5 practices for staying cool under pressure:

Get More Sleep (Goodbye 1 a.m.!)
Well rested brains are well functioning brains. Consistency is key in the fight against all-nighters. Set a bedtime for yourself and do everything in your power to stick to it. This will not only help you maintain your cool, but it can boost your productivity and creativity as well! ​

Lower Your Caffeine Intake (Sorry Coffee, Not Today)
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a cup of coffee, but caffeine is not a substitute for sleep. Caffeine raises your stress hormones making you more likely to lose your cool. Cutting back can help lower your stress and keep you level headed even when your computer crashes (or maybe just when you forget to save).

Exercise (Pump It Up)
Hit the gym before work to get endorphins flowing and keep you happier all day. Or if mornings aren’t your thing, go pump some iron after work to practice an “active meditation” and forget about the stresses of the day. It doesn’t really matter when you go, just that you go and go regularly. Regular exercise can increase your self-confidence, help relax you and lower the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Breathe Intentionally (Breathe In, Breathe Out)
When you find yourself getting riled up, take a minute to do some nice, even breathing. Breathe in through your nose for four counts, hold for a count of four and then exhale for a count of four. Repeat. When a four count becomes easy, work on increasing to six, or even eight counts. This is something worth practicing at least once a day, but is especially helpful when you feel stress building.

Focus on the Positive (Find the Silver Lining)
By simply shifting your thoughts from your overwhelming to-do list to how pretty the green grass is, for example, can start to lessen your stress. While it sounds easy in theory, it can be challenging to apply to real life. Remind yourself once a day (set a reminder on your phone or calendar) to look for something positive. The more you practice, the more natural it will become. If you’re feeling stuck, take a look at our affirmations for business owners.

The best piece of advice is simply to not let the pressure get the best of you. Enjoy the little things in life and remember that you’re living out your dream!

What are you tips for keeping it together?

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