Making time to unwind and relax is important for good mental health. Owning and operating a business can be extremely stressful, so it is imperative to get away from the demands of being an entrepreneur and catch your breath. "Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us."
Famed poet Maya Angelou
Three entrepreneurs who recognize the importance of incorporating down-time into their lives describe what they do to relax and how it helps them.
General counsel reduces stress
Lee Cusenbary, General Counsel of Mission-Pharmacal in San Antonio, Texas, is a stretching devotee. He has also implemented breathing exercises and meditation when he feels stressed.
Cusenbary injects additional activity into his workday to keep his mind sharp and his stress level low. “I also walk around the floor of our building every two hours of the day to get some blood moving and take a mental break from reviewing emails and contracts,” he says.
Another strategy for relaxing came in the form of a gift from his wife, and he liked it so much, Cusenbary has injected it into his schedule on a weekly basis. His spouse gifted him with a booklet of ten therapeutic massages which have helped loosen his back stiffness, he plans on continuing with the massages after he uses all his certificates. “They help me relieve stress so well,” he says.
Cusenbary’s keys to stopping stress before it starts? “Recognize what triggers your stress and try not reacting to that external stimulation. After a few weeks, you can actually stop your neck from tightening up just through recognizing what causes it,” he says.
Quiet key to entrepreneur’s sanity
What’s ironic about Kelly Blanton’s recipe for relaxation is that it is the polar opposite of her outgoing, fun-loving personality. The Columbus, Ohio entrepreneur, she is co-owner of a boutique called Urban Emporium and a t-shirt manufacturer says quiet is key to her sanity. “To relax, I usually like to sit in a quiet space and read a good book,” she says.
Another path to peace Blanton employs involves sitting quietly with her eyes closed. “I clear my mind and just focus on my breathing for five minutes,” she says.
According to Blanton, relaxation techniques are intrinsic to keeping her balanced and prepared for work. “They help me feel better prepared, less rushed and less stressed. If I’m feeling calm and relaxed, I’m happier and it makes my whole day better and much more productive,” she says.
Legally speaking
Wendy Witt is a busy lawyer and legal marketing consultant in Pittsburgh who is also devoted to taking time to relax.
Her go-to techniques include:
- Five deep slow breaths with her eyes closed
- Pilates
- Watching a brief guided meditation video on YouTube.
Tami Kamin Meyer is an Ohio attorney and writer who tweets as @girlwithapen.
