The idea of taking a vacation can fill business owners with anxiety and fear. It’s not because of the unanswered emails, missed deadlines or stalled projects that could occur while they are away; it’s that they may feel like their businesses cannot survive without them and will crumble in their absence.

To manage vacation stress for business owners are often unfounded. In fact, research shows that taking time off helps you be a better business owner. It provides fresh perspective, bursts of creativity and a sense of mental health renewal that you can’t get from simply working hard every day. But how can you truly enjoy your time off, if you’re worried that the entire operation will fall apart?

Vacation Stress Management for Business Owners: How to Relax and Recharge

As a business owner, you can reduce your stress level by being proactive and preparing for your time off. One of the best ways to do this is by establishing systems that can handle any unexpected situations that might arise while you’re away. This could be as simple as entrusting important, day-to-day tasks to your second in command or a trusted advisor. It also helps to have a buffer period before and after your vacation, in which you can review any outstanding client issues or new projects that may come up.

Finally, make sure you communicate well with your team. Tell them that you’ll be unavailable and give them instructions on how to contact a backup. This includes what constitutes a true emergency and who they should contact first if the matter can’t wait until you return.

…