Holidays do not apply to e-commerce business founders. You might not have realized this, but it is not considered a holiday if you are working. Managing an e-commerce business takes a toll on you; holidays stop being that aspired day off and become the main event to boost sales. This implies hard work, strategy, investments, and lots of stress. Stress becomes a familiar experience for e-commerce founders; however, it peaks during the holiday season.
Based on a research article from Frontiers of Psychology, multiple studies indicate that entrepreneurs experience higher stress levels than other workers. Stress can lead entrepreneurs to develop harmful coping mechanisms like substance abuse, overeating, and social isolation. They may experience adverse physiological effects such as obsessive thoughts, withdrawal, decreased self-worth, and neglect of meaningful relationships and activities. (Drnovšek and Slavec Gomezel)
As an e-commerce founder, holidays have taken a different meaning than what they meant five years ago when I only represented myself and not a business. I started as a fashion designer with a swimwear brand, and if there is someone who has never missed a business meeting with me, it is Miss Anxiety. Miss Anxiety will never miss an opportunity to leave me stressed, and I bet you might know her well, too.
A common misconception among people who are used to experiencing stress frequently is that we accommodate our minds to see Miss Anxiety as some random visitor who will pop up all of a sudden, stay for a night, and then, as suddenly as she comes, leave. Please tell me, when has it been so easy to get something harmful out of our system? Detoxing wouldn’t be a thing if we were that efficient in replenishing ourselves.
Nothing ever disappears; it leaves a trace, a mark. If we follow the principles of energy, we know that energy can’t be destroyed, just transformed. Anxiety has a similar effect on the body. It’s not only present when there is rush and danger; it stays longer even after the stress factors are gone. Stress behaves in a similar pattern as energy, and wouldn’t you agree that it feels like it has a mind of its own?
If you’re anything like me, anxiety behaves on its own terms, when and how she wants it. Usually, I can keep it together during episodes of pressure, but once it’s done, I have to cry it out. I would usually say to my loved ones, “Give me a second; I need to decompress.” It is a need for me; it will occur whether I want it or not. I’m well aware that my nervous system is very vulnerable, and not everybody has the same ability to decompress right after a stressful event. However, I’ve learned it should be something that we aim to do intentionally.
Stress leaves residues inside us that will manifest themselves in our bodies even after the stress motive is solved. Going back to the principles of energy, if we can’t destroy it, we have to transform it. That’s where decompressing comes in handy. For me, decompressing is a way of channeling the stress energy that is stuck inside me and finding a way to set it free so it can transform into something that no longer harms me.
My purest intention through this blog post is to help you understand that stress does not disappear into thin air. It doesn’t need to be visible and active for it to be there working its way. It will manifest somewhere else and can still harm us by developing sickness, fatigue, anger, insomnia, or even paranoia if we don’t channel it and send it in another direction. Detach from the business for a second and do something for you.
We asked some founders how they decompress after a busy season; these are some of their answers:
“Having an intentional “week of fun” or weekend helps to reset our mind. Yoga, exercise and finding new hobbies keeps us feeling grounded.”
- Desirae Brown from Soundtrack
“Being to myself, getting a foot massage, watching a Korean Drama and traveling help me decompress “
- Vanessa White from Evolving Butterfly
“Time alone, microdosing, doing things in the moment.”
- Michael Lee from God Body Organics
“Detaching from the business by spending time enjoying hobbies”
- James Warren from Summit Lighting Solutions
“After a busy season, I make it a priority to decompress intentionally and create space to rest, reflect, and reconnect with myself. Here’s one key thing that I’ve found works best for managing residual stress and getting back to balance: I Prioritize Restorative Activities After being “on” for so long, I make rest non-negotiable: • Unplugging completely: I silence the emails, turn off notifications, and step away from work entirely. • Sleeping in: I let my body rest without guilt. • Soothing physical tension: Whether it’s yoga, stretching, or a long soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts, I give my body the care it needs.”
- Le Anne Dolce from Wake Up Happy Sis
You get a chance to decide what this energy fuels, but know it will fuel something. We can’t control if or when anxiety will show up, but we can choose where we send her next. Here are some coping techniques you can use to manage stress:
Decompress: Allow yourself the time to unwind and rest. You deserve it. Remember, your business will thrive as much as you do.
Acknowledge Stress: Do not underestimate the impact of stress or overestimate your tolerance to it. Recognize it and take proactive steps to manage it.
Express Your Emotions: Find healthy ways to express your emotions. This could be through crying, screaming, painting, dancing, hugging, or running, but make sure you express them.
Practice Self-Care: Make self-care a priority. Take care of your physical and mental health. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Physical activities help release built-up tension.
Seek Support: Connect with friends, family, or fellow entrepreneurs. Get out of your head and share your experiences and feelings. This can provide fresh, emotional support and practical advice.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to your demanding expectations and limit your work hours. Ensure you have time for yourself and your loved ones.
Professional Help: If stress becomes overwhelming, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor. They can provide more strategies and support to manage stress effectively.
Decompress Regularly: Make decompression a regular part of your routine. Do not lock down your stress.
Lastly, please know for a fact that you’re not alone in this feeling. This is why ecomspaces was created; we’ve been through these struggles, and we know the answer to solving them is found in community. Gathering in community and getting access to support helps alleviate the stress and pressure of doing it all yourself. We want to invite you to let us be that support. Join our membership to get business education to help you navigate busy seasons more seamlessly.
Take care of yourself. Your business will thank you.
Nasheilie Mere
Marketing Associate
ecomspaces
Resources:
Drnovšek, Mateja, and Alenka Slavec Gomezel. "Keep It Positive: Exploring the Relationship between Stress, Positive Affect, Wellbeing, and Success of Entrepreneurs." Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, 2022, p. 970797, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.970797. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
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