How I Reset Stress as a Business Owner: Breathing, Walking, and Reading
Running a business is one of the most rewarding challenges in life—but it’s also one of the most stressful. Every decision has consequences, every day brings new fires to put out, and sometimes the weight of responsibility feels nonstop. Over the years, I’ve realized that ignoring stress only compounds it. The key is to notice it quickly and have simple tools to reset before it spirals.
For me, three practices have become non-negotiables whenever I feel stress creeping in. They’re not complicated, and they don’t require expensive equipment or hours of time. They’re quick resets that bring me back to a place of clarity and control.
1. Breathing: Am I Even Breathing?
It sounds almost ridiculous to ask—but as a business owner I’ve caught myself holding my breath more times than I’d like to admit. During tense calls, high-stakes meetings, or while staring at a jam-packed inbox, I realized I wasn’t breathing properly. My chest would tighten, my jaw would clench, and my focus would narrow in a way that made everything feel heavier than it was.
The simple act of pausing and checking in—“Am I breathing?”—has been a game-changer. I’ll take a few slow, deep breaths, inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth. Within minutes, my shoulders drop, my head clears, and I can approach the situation with more perspective. Breathing is the fastest, most accessible stress reset available—and it’s free.
2. Go for a Walk (Preferably with My Dog)
Because I work from home, the line between business and personal life can blur. Some days, it feels like work never turns off. A tough meeting can easily linger in my mind, replaying itself for hours. That’s when I lace up my shoes and take my dog for a 20-minute walk.
There’s something about moving my body outdoors that shifts my mindset. The physical act of walking breaks the cycle of rumination. Having my dog with me makes it even better—his excitement over the simplest things reminds me to lighten up. By the time I get back, I feel less like a stressed-out CEO and more like a person capable of handling whatever comes next.
3. Read a Book to Calm My Mind
One of the hardest parts of entrepreneurship is the mental chatter that never shuts off. Even when I’m not working, my brain is problem-solving, strategizing, and planning. To quiet that noise, I pick up a book. Reading pulls me out of the endless stream of business thoughts and immerses me in a different world.
Sometimes I’ll read personal development or leadership books, but more often it’s fiction or biographies that give me perspective. The act of sitting down, slowing my mind, and focusing on a page has a calming effect. It reminds me that I’m more than my business, and life is richer when I create space to breathe, relax, and recharge.
Final Thoughts
Stress is inevitable as a business owner, but staying trapped in it isn’t. These three practices—breathing, walking, and reading—are my anchors. They’re simple, repeatable, and effective. Whenever I catch myself getting overwhelmed, I return to them. The result? I’m calmer, more focused, and far better equipped to lead my business through the ups and downs.