Managing Holiday Stress as a Small Business Owner

The holidays are an excellent time for family and fun, but they can also be stressful for retail business owners. This is especially true this year when businesses must juggle the demands of operating in a post-pandemic, economically challenged world. However, with a bit of extra planning and a few creative solutions, you can manage stress and make the most of the holiday season while still spending quality time with your family.

But first, here are some alarming stats on stress concerning entrepreneurs and their families.

• According to the Gallup Wellbeing Index, 45% of entrepreneurs report being stressed.
• According to some research, entrepreneurs are more disposed to having more extreme mood swings.
• Many business owners admit that it is difficult to keep their marriage and other personal relationships strong.

This being said, there are some things you can do to help manage stress while maintaining strong work/life harmony during the holiday rush.

Make sure to plan ahead

Especially if your business relies heavily on holiday sales, it can be difficult to balance your personal and work schedules effectively. One of the best ways to manage the stress of the holidays is to plan ahead. Look at your calendar and determine which days you'll be working and when you'll be able to take time off. Try to arrange your hours so it's easier to attend family gatherings and special events.

Planning ahead helps ensure you don't miss any important family functions or events while helping to make sure you are working most efficiently. Using time or project management tools like Asana can help with this.

Remember to practice self-care

Taking time to reconnect with your family members is key to relieving stress and avoiding burnout, but taking care of yourself during the festive season is also essential. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day, spend time in thought, and even take a stroll around the block occasionally. Don't try to do it all at once – plan out your priorities, and leave some time for yourself.

This also means taking care of your health. Stress can significantly negatively impact your health, so engaging in activities that reduce stress, like meditation or exercise, can be vital.

Set healthy boundaries with yourself

Creating work-life harmony is key to managing stress and family during the holidays. This means setting a boundary between your work and your home life. Remembering that you should not work during family dinners or other special events may seem more obvious as this is a time to spend quality time with each other. But, setting healthy boundaries with yourself can even mean limiting the time you check emails at home, ensuring you aren't working too late or giving your significant other ample attention instead of work-related tasks.

Keep your team in mind

Managing stress in the workplace and with your team is also important. Work with your staff and other management to develop a plan that allows everyone to balance their workload while still ensuring customer satisfaction and employee morale. Make sure to communicate any changes or needs with your staff and be flexible as the season progresses. Creating a plan with your team and practicing strong communication skills will help reduce stress and make everyone feel like their contributions are acknowledged and appreciated.

Take a moment to breathe

Finally, remember the importance of rest. Take the time to relax and unwind whenever possible. Get plenty of sleep, remember to refuel with plenty of healthy foods and water, and give yourself breaks throughout the day to refocus. If you're feeling really overwhelmed, consider talking to a professional or seeking support from friends or family.

Managing stress and maintaining quality family time during the holidays as a retail business owner isn't easy, but with a little extra planning, communication, and self-care, you can make sure the season runs smoothly. Prioritize rest, plan ahead whenever possible, communicate with your staff, and always make sure to make time for yourself.