Owning a salon can be rewarding, yes. But it can also be stressful. In fact, a recent survey by digital marketing firm Yellow revealed that Australian small-business owners struggle with stress, with many admitting to feeling anxious every day. According to the report, one in four of admitted to feeling stressed every day, and yet 72 per cent admitted to not seeking help with handling the stress.
Identifying the stressors in your day-to-day can help you learn the best ways to handle it.
Don’t forget the basics
If you’re hungry, thirsty or tired, even the smallest things can feel overwhelming. “If you haven’t had a drink of water in the last hour, have one. If you haven’t eaten something in the past few hours, have a light, healthy snack like nuts or fruit,” says Rieva Lesonsky, author of Small Business Hacks.
Get enough sleep
Getting an early night can sound counter-intuitive to getting all your work done. It can feel like, in order to succeed, you need to burn the candle at both ends. But that’s not the case. “You must make time to sleep or you’ll end up on a hamster wheel of tiredness,:” says Rieva. “Find ways to delegate, or eliminate tasks that take up too much time for too little return. Use the extra time to sleep and make it a priority.”
Keep your relationships healthy
It can be hard to maintain friendships and relationships when you feel like you’re drowning at work. But it’s important to keeping on top of your stress. “If you have to, multitask by joining a friend for a run or having a lunch date with your spouse,” says Rieva.
Say ‘No’
Sometimes it can feel like saying no, is akin to turning away promising opportunities. But that isn’t always the case. “If a situation, employee or project is stressing you out more than a usual amount, listen to your gut. Stress could be trying to tell you something,” says Rieva. It could be time to have a discussion with the employee about their future at your salon, or put a halt on the project that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
For more news and updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.