How to Fight March Madness
Four Ways to Reduce Stress
Picture this. It's barely 9 a.m. Two team members have called in sick, a computer just crashed, and someone drank the last cup of coffee without refilling the pot. You walk across the hall and discover that the rest of your team has decided the main goal for the day is to watch the Sweet 16 tournament. Your head starts spinning, and you can barely breathe. Forget NCAA basketball — you're about to create some March Madness of your own. A typical day for a hard-driving business owner, right? For many, yes. According to a new survey by Hiscox, an insurer of small businesses, 25% of small-business owners report being stressed the majority of the day. The good news is that you don't have to be a nerve ball. Stress can be managed. Here are a few ways to not only prevent "March Madness" but also reduce stress the rest of the year. 1. Get Moving Exercise pumps up your endorphins, reduces tension, and lightens your mood. Plus it improves overall health. Action Step: You don't have to spend all day at the gym to reduce stress—any form of activity helps. So take a walk, join a yoga class, or even climb the steps to your office instead of taking the elevator. Just get moving, and you'll soon feel the benefits. 2. Socialize
With the typical small-business owner's calendar filled with more ink than Kat Von D, it's hard to carve out time to be social. But science has proven that being around others reduces stress. In fact, not socializing can be dangerous. According to a 2010 study by scientists at Brigham Young University, lack of social relationships has as much of a negative effect as smoking. Action Step: Make socializing as intentional as any other task. Work it into your schedule, no matter how busy. 3. Laugh
Okay, stop and think. When was the last time you really belly laughed, the kind where tears roll down your face? If you can't recall, then it's time to do so. Because laughter is just what the doctor ordered. It's a powerful stress reliever, say researchers at Mayo Clinic, plus it pumps up your immune system, relieves pain, and makes it easier to cope with difficult situations. Action Step: Spend time with family and friends who make you laugh. And seriously, stop taking yourself so seriously. It's that simple. 4. Take a Vacation
A Kit Kat bar isn't the only thing that needs a break. Getting away rejuvenates your soul, giving you the energy to fight another day. Action Step: All it takes to get away for a few days is some planning. If you don't have someone in place, select a person who can take over while you're gone. And then, take time to make time for yourself and your family. Learning to relax doesn't make problems go away, but it can definitely help you cope. And when you're not a jerk at work, everyone is much happier, which, in turn, makes a lot of those difficulties melt away. | 
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