Image description: A group of upright matchsticks on a pink background, with one burnt-out match among them. Above, text reads: Breaking the Cycle: Building Your Business Without Burning Out.
Why Stress Can Disrupt Your Ability to Work On Your Business (And how to get unstuck)
If you’ve ever sat down to work on your business only to find yourself spiraling into overwhelm, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.
The dominant hustle culture tells us that we just need to “balance it all.” But that expectation is not only unrealistic—it can be downright harmful. Business owners, especially those juggling multiple responsibilities, often face chronic stress, executive function challenges, trauma, or caregiving duties that make traditional notions of productivity nearly impossible to achieve.
Why Stress Gets in the Way of Building Your Business
Working in your business (client work, answering emails, putting out fires) often feels easier than working on your business (strategic planning, marketing, systems building). That’s not a coincidence—it’s how your nervous system protects you.
When we’re under stress, the sympathetic nervous system activates. This system controls our “fight, flight, or freeze” responses—functions that are crucial in danger, but counterproductive when you're just trying to update your website or plan a launch.
According to research from the Harvard Health Publishing and Trauma Research Foundation, people with chronic stress, trauma histories, ADHD or executive function disorders, chronic illness, or caregiving responsibilities are more likely to get "stuck" in a sympathetic state. When this happens, even small tasks feel like insurmountable mountains. This isn’t laziness—it’s biology.
Image description: Illustration showing how stress responses can show up at work: Fight (overworking or snapping), Flight (procrastinating), and Freeze (feeling stuck or foggy), with simple bold graphics and bright colors.
Why “Just Create Balance” Isn’t Enough
The idea of achieving "work-life balance" often places the blame on the individual without acknowledging systemic pressures or nervous system realities. For entrepreneurs navigating life with multiple stressors, that advice can feel isolating and unhelpful.
Instead, what we need is nervous system-aware business practice—a way of working that acknowledges your human experience and offers practical tools to support your body and your business.
Practical, Realistic Tools to Help Regulate Your Nervous System
Not all mindfulness or stress-reduction techniques work for everyone, and that’s okay. Here are some high-level strategies that can help:
Body Doubling or Co-Working: Having another person working alongside you (even virtually) can help your brain stay focused and reduce the sense of isolation. This is especially useful for folks with ADHD or executive dysfunction.
Task Chunking: Break tasks down into tiny steps and celebrate small wins. Starting small helps signal to your brain that you’re safe and capable.
Nervous System Regulation: Gentle movement, grounding techniques, somatic practices, or even guided breathwork can help shift you out of a sympathetic state. But again—not everyone finds calm in stillness. For some, movement or creativity are better access points.
Permission to Rest: Sometimes, doing less is the most productive move. Strategic pausing allows your brain to reset so you can return to work with clarity.
Community Support: Regular connection with peers can reduce feelings of isolation and build accountability. You're not meant to do this alone.
Image description: Text reads: Not all mindfulness or stress-reduction techniques work for everyone, and that’s okay. Here are some high-level strategies that can help, over a colorful geometric background with circles and semi-circles in pink, yellow, blue, and navy.
Again, there are a million ways to access nervous system regulation, so what works is what works! Tell us some of your favorite ways to regulate or if you are going to try one of these techniques!
In Partnership,
Tricia + Chandra
Collective Agency
If you identify as a woman there is a regular Empowered Business Practice Meeting that meets once a month. If you are looking for more techniques and a community working together to get sh*t done you can find more information here:👉 Register here for the next session