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5 Quick Ways to Combat Stress as an Entrepreneur

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As an entrepreneur, it can feel impossible to find time in the day to get anything done. When you’re working so hard to achieve your dream, you might not want to take time for anything you deem unnecessary. Health usually falls into this category, which is a huge mistake! You can’t let your health fall to the wayside. If you do, your long term success will have an expiration date. Stress increases your risk of heart disease by 40% and your risk of stroke by 50%, and 3 out of 4 doctors visits in the U.S are stress-related.

You need to take stress seriously! The good news is that below are five fast ways for you to combat stress in your day-to-day operations and routine:

1. Take a break

This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people ignore the ample benefits of stepping away from work. “Taking breaks means you can work smarter, not longer,” says Nexa. You need to shake up your routine, get your blood flowing, and give your brain a break from the constant stream of information in the workplace.”

If you aren’t consciously resting throughout your workday, the quality of your work and your productivity will notably decline. Get away from screens, stand up every 20 minutes to stretch, and make sure your breaks aren’t filled with checking email.

2. Stay connected 

Being an entrepreneur can be incredibly lonely, especially if you work from home. While the flexibility of remote working can be a huge benefit, you can feel isolated very fast. This is a huge problem for your long term health.

Combat this loneliness by getting into a coworking space! This will allow you to benefit from having a routine and a set place to work. It also helps you meet other motivated professionals and can be an excellent opportunity to network. 

Also, make sure you’re connecting with friends and family on a regular basis. It can be tempting to isolate yourself in the hopes of being more productive, but that will only hurt you in the long run. You need support; don’t be afraid to ask for it!

“Carve your name on hearts and not on marble.” – Charles Spurgeon

3. Eat well

Here’s another no-brainer, but it has to be said. You will perform at your best if you’re eating well! Working hard means you have less time in your day. That also might mean hitting the drive-thru and eating junk. Don’t let this become a habit, or you’re going to suffer. 

An easy way to get a much-needed boost is to eat superfoods like acai, kale, and goji berries. We’ve shared before that, “A boost in brainpower can enhance your memory, sharpen your reflexes, improve your attention span, and ward off mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and more.” That’s a lot of benefits coming from one snack! 

4. Rely on mentors 

If you don’t currently have a business mentor, now is the time to find one. The benefits of a mentor are undeniable because they become your sounding board for new ideas, you get to learn from their mistakes, and they pass on their knowledge.

Mentors can help you learn to embrace a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset. Instead of letting your pre-existing skills determine your future success, you will learn more skills, broaden your horizons, and improve on what you and your mentor already know. 

“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.” – Bob Proctor

5. Ignore the hype

This final tip is probably going to be the hardest to execute, but it’s crucial to your overall success. You have to ignore the “rise and grind” mentality that consumes so many other entrepreneurs. 

Why? Simply put, it’s not productive in the long run. You’re probably used to your peers bragging about how they’re always on, how they never take breaks, how little they sleep. You might have fallen prey to this yourself. 

Here’s the thing– you know yourself. You know your process. Odds are, you work much better when you’re following the tips above, rather than suffering through all-nighters. Your long term health and success hinge on your ability to achieve a work-life balance today. Stress can literally kill you, so don’t work yourself to death!

Stress is an unavoidable part of life as an entrepreneur. That’s just a fact. The good news is you don’t have to let it destroy you. By carefully following the steps listed here, you can build a solid foundation for yourself. This foundation will make sure you avoid burning out. Take breaks, stay connected, eat well, rely on your mentors, and ignore the hype! These steps will ensure your success grows over time, and that you can enjoy it. 

How do you combat stress in your daily life? Share your ideas and thoughts with us below!

Parker Davis is the CEO of Nexa, a leader in the virtual receptionist and technology-enabled answering services industry. He believes that the application of data analytics, investment in technology, and fostering a positive company culture together create highly efficient and scalable growth companies. In 2016, Nexa achieved record revenues while also being awarded the Top Companies to Work For in Arizona award. Parker is also the Managing Partner of Annison Capital Partners, LLC, a private investment partnership. Follow him @callnexa and on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Business

The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires

These must-read titles and writing insights reveal how entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into empire-level success.

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Entrepreneurship is powered by stories—of accomplishment, failure, and decision moments that define businesses. Books are maps, providing insight from individuals who’ve traversed the road ahead. (more…)

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Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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Entrepreneurs

What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators

Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

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When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)

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Entrepreneurs

Building a Business Empire: Lessons from the World’s Boldest Entrepreneurs

Learn essential lessons, success strategies, and mindset shifts every aspiring entrepreneur needs to overcome challenges and build a thriving business.

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Back in July 2017, I attended a business seminar on entrepreneurship in India. With my appetite for learning and meeting new people, I wanted to explore the latest developments in the entrepreneurial world. (more…)

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