Can entrepreneurs keep their mental health positive?

Starting a business can be rewarding. However, many entrepreneurs or small business owners have to bear the sole responsibility to succeed. Entrepreneurs often shuffle through many roles and handle countless setbacks such as losing customers, staffing problems, internal disputes, and increased competition. They deal with all kinds of hurdles while struggling to make the business successful.

Also, the ever-changing business landscape puts a toll on the mental health of both staff and business owners. This challenge of finding a work-life balance can create emotional turbulence and often morphs into stress. While stress is a natural response to the pressures of life, it has to be managed. Otherwise, in the long term, it can intensify cognitive decline, contribute to Alzheimer's and other diseases, and even lead to cardiac and breathing problems. Known mental health conditions may develop from excessive stress. Particularly when a business fails or becomes bankrupt, it may trigger depression, despair, hopelessness, worthlessness, loss of motivation, and suicidal thinking.

According to a National Institute of Mental Health study, 72% of entrepreneurs are directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues. It also showed that 49% of entrepreneurs deal with straightforward mental health issues, while only 32% experienced them. Thus, it is essential to look out for the early warning signs, increasing one's risk of developing a mental health condition. Also, it is vital to find solutions that can prevent the overwhelming needs of running a business from making one's capacity to manage them lopsided.

Early warning signs

Struggling with mental health and stress may manifest as subtle signs affecting behavior, thoughts, or feelings. These may go unnoticed or just be chalked off as a bad day in the office. However, it is imperative to watch out for the common signs of burnout that indicate a struggle with mental health. Examples of early warning signs are:

• Getting angry quickly

• Easily getting frustrated with jobs or people

• Difficulty focusing on tasks

• Difficulty making decisions

• Avoiding most social settings

• Often feeling tired and exhausted

• Being unusually tearful or emotional

• Turning to alcohol to cope

An anxiety and depression checklist is a way great way to gauge your mental health status. You can search Google for one. Another recommended alternative is to speak to a health care professional who will guide you and offer the needed assistance based on your experiences.

Managing Stress

Managing stress can be challenging. However, it is good to know when anxiety gets you too overwhelmed to affect your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Once you reach this point of exhaustion, it would be good to take some practical steps to reduce those stress levels. For instance, if you are at work, step outside for a few minutes and get some fresh air, a change in environment can reduce tension. Meditation and prayer also help some people overcome stress. Exercise such as taking a walk or run can be a great stress reliever. These rhythmic activities readjust your focus, reframe the mind and release endorphins.

Manage Your Workload

Do not bite more than you can chew. Taking on more tasks than you can finish will only lead to more stress. Do not fall into that trap. Try to have appropriate time management and remember delegation is not a luxury but necessary, especially when starting a business. It is impossible to finish all tasks by yourself. Recognize that every employee has their duties and try to let them complete these to the best of their abilities without micromanaging everything.

Unplug and give Yourself a Break

It is okay to escape from the world once in a while. Take a little time off each day, even if it is just 10 or 15 minutes, to avoid emails and phone notifications. Take this time to breathe for a second and ease your shoulders. Sometimes it might feel like the world's weight is on them, but even Atlas in Greek Mythology took a break from the arduous task of carrying the earth. You can even plan a future vacation or holiday where you can have more free time to destress.

Imposter syndrome is natural but can also be a source of stress. Try to remember to give yourself a break from doubting your abilities. There is no perfect way to run a business. We aren't born with knowledge, and nobody knows everything. Instead, we can learn and improve while even making mistakes. Remember that always change direction.

So while entrepreneurs could drive themselves to an unbalanced mental state, it is crucial to reduce stress as much as possible. Despite the imposing challenge to maintain a balanced life while ensuring that the business succeeds, it is worthwhile to beware of warning signs and take the needed practical steps to reduce stress or any other risks affecting one's mental health. It's for the benefit of your health and business to give yourself the time and space to destress.

The article was written by: David Letsa

Cover photo by Daniel Torobekov from Pexels