Anxiety is natural; it’s your body’s response to stress. The amount of pressure that a new entrepreneur is under more than warrants anxious thoughts. Before starting a business, many people leave established career paths or sell their homes to finance their idea. Though there are many reasons to feel anxious when you go out on your own, our goal is to help you cope with them. Taking care of yourself gives yourself, your business, and even your employees the greatest chance of long-term success and growth.
Carry Resolution With You
Many people will explain that the cure for anxiety begins with sufficient sleep, clean eating, and regular exercise. Although we won’t refute any of those things, it is essential to carry a coping mechanism with you. For example, imagine sitting in a potential investor’s lobby, waiting for a meeting to begin—or going out on stage to give a presentation at a convention. Your heart rate is going to be elevated, but you need to give the appearance of being calm and in control. Here’s a technique taught to Marines and Navy Seals: box breathing.
When faced with stress, our body is in “fight or flight” mode. Our sympathetic nervous system has taken over. However, we need to shift back to the parasympathetic nervous system, the one used during “rest and digest.” One of the easiest ways to do this is by utilizing a form of patterned breathing known as box breathing. When you exhale longer than you inhale can lower your heart rate. Here is what you should do:
- Breath in through your nose and count to four
- Hold your breath for two seconds
- Exhale through your mouth and count to six
- Hold your two
- Repeat
If that is uncomfortable, try the same thing but at 4-4-4-4 (Four in, hold four, exhale, and hold four). This can be done anywhere at any time. The amount of complicated and taxing situations you have to face as an entrepreneur is endless, but you will have this breathing technique to use whenever you need it. Additionally:
- Go to bed at the same time each night, and get up at the same time every morning.
- Eat clean, unprocessed foods like meats, vegetables, nuts, and fruits.
- Exercise and get your heart rate up. HIIT workouts are effective, and most of them only last 12-15 minutes.
Have a Trusted Attorney Support You
At Jayaraman Law, we understand that entrepreneurs work on tight budgets. However, we offer flat-rate options so that you can have legal counsel without the concern of runaway costs. We can assist you with business law-related issues such as NDAs, trademark protection, and venture capital financing contracts. Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation.
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