4 Things Every Creative Can Do To Reduce Stress Today

“What got you here won’t get you there.” 

How many times have you seen this popular meme on your social media timeline? Probably more times than you can count. Although the original author is not known, what is known that it’s 1000% true, not only in life but also in business. Like life’s transitions, we know that the pivots, turns and plot twists entrepreneurs endure on their journey are vital to success, but let’s be honest—the sh*t can be hella stressful! Project deadlines, lack of support, client engagements and financial stressors are just some of the triggers we face daily. 

But at what cost? 

According to a study by Michael Freeman, a psychiatrist at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, entrepreneurs are 50 percent more likely to report having a mental health condition. Some specific needs are more prevalent among founders. Even more alarming is this finding—a whopping 72 percent of entrepreneurs surveyed self-reported mental health concerns. A rundown of specific mental illness rates within the entrepreneur population includes two times more likely to suffer from depression, six times more likely to suffer from ADHD, three times more likely to suffer from substance abuse, and ten times more likely to suffer the bipolar disorder. 

Whoa. 

Though these stats are alarming, they’re not surprising. With the toxic crusade of the “hustle culture” being preached to us on a constant and the pernicious consequences of competition, it’s no wonder that creatives are running around here overwhelmed and over it. Not to mention the fact that this generation no longer heartens the idea of hobbies. We are constantly being encouraged to “get to the bag”—so much so that we’ve removed ourselves from the simple idea of doing something just because we like it. 

So what can be done to ensure we have the mental capacity to handle all of these challenges, plus what’s going on in our businesses? Here are four great places to start:

Exercise the Power of “No”

The first, most important place to start is right here. One of the challenges with many creatives is that we either don’t have, don’t enforce, or don’t make others respect our personal and professional boundaries. You remember that time that client called you after-hours, and you took their call and addressed their issue? Or perhaps the time that you knew that opportunity paid way less than your rate (and required more work), but you took it anyway? How about that time you took on that extra project, knowing full well you were already stretched pretty thin and struggling to find the time to get it all done? 

Boundaries mislaid. 

The first way to begin alleviating stress is to exercise the power of your “no.” Not “no” with justifications or explanations—just “no.” And when others can’t respect that, it’s their issue, not yours. Don’t make it yours. 

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

You know the old saying, “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM.’” 

It doesn’t matter if you are the Jack-(or Jackie)-of-All-Trades. At some point in the game, you’ll become the master of none. Experts and gurus are constantly preaching the likes of growing your business, expanding your clients, and making more money – which is all great – but with those things come more work, responsibility, and access to you than ever before. 

And honestly, it can be a bit much. 

So what’s the best way to ensure you’re able to show up and show out for you and your customers? Delegation. Delegation of minor tasks, significant tasks, personal tasks, daunting tasks. Yes, even the ones you do well. From contractors on substantial projects to professional services helping with things on the homefront, put people and services in place that can take some of the weight off your plate. You’ll be amazed at how much time and breathing room you’ll find for yourself when you don’t have to worry about every tedious, mundane task.  

Schedule Brain Breaks

You remember when you were a kid and every day (unless someone was acting up), the class had a chance to go outside and have recess, sometimes twice a day? That’s because studies have shown that after hours of working and concentrating, the brain needs time to refresh, restore, and shift different networks and receptors in the brain. 

You still need this. 

At some point in your working day, take 15-20 minutes to step outside to take a brisk walk, bird watch, do some jumping jacks, or something to refresh your mind. These moments increase blood flow to the brain, which helps with focus and attention.

But leave the phone and other electronics inside the house. It’s not called a “brain break” for nothing. 

Alternative Scheduling

As a business mentor for the past 10 years, I’ve worked with several entrepreneurs and creatives who struggle with the same issue: time management. And though most live by the trusted “to-do list” and “Google Calendar,” the reality is that most don’t know how to structure their day for great productivity. 

One of the ways to combat this is to implement “context switching” or an A/B schedule. This is where you build out time blocks, either daily or weekly, to manage your work on rotation. For example, your “A” weeks may focus on external meetings, calls, coffee dates and offsite client engagement. Your “B” weeks would be dedicated to internal projects, tasks and work. This helps you be more organized and less overwhelmed, allowing you to better manage your time, plan your tasks and free yourself for more enjoyable things.

As you see, reducing your creative stress doesn’t have to be some overwhelming feat filled with superfluous, unrealistic tasks. It’s honestly just a matter of determining your needs and how you structure your business and day around that—not the other way around. 

In the end, our overall goal and mission should be to enjoy the journey to “there,” – starting “here.”