5 Smart Ways Entrepreneurs Can Manage Mental Health & Wellness Challenges

This is a contributed post. However, all opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

The business world with its growing uncertainties is sometimes filled with stress, and depression, among other mental health issues. Starting a business, in particular, can be overwhelming as it involves long hours of work and planning. One time you are hitting a record high in your venture, while the following season may plunge you into failure. Studies have shown that business owners are 30% more likely to experience depression than other workers in the lower hierarchy of an organization. 

Are you a CEO who wants to build a successful business brand? Here are the top five ways to manage your mental health struggles and boost your wellness.

Be mindful of negative feelings

In general, it’s estimated that close to 70% of entrepreneurs run into mental health challenges at a point in time in their business cycle. This can range from stress to burnout and other negative emotions. Entrepreneurial stress is often exacerbated by economic uncertainties, loneliness, and financial concerns. When there is a lack of support, things can take a turn for the worse. 

According to Calmer founder Tania Diggory, entrepreneurs need to get used to being uncomfortable, as every day usually comes with its own challenges. A typical entrepreneur’s lifestyle involves taking calculated risks, researching new opportunities, and making bold moves. These activities can have a profound effect on a business owner’s mental health. However, one right way to correct this is to be mindful of your negative thoughts. Try your best to stay strong, and do not give ill thoughts the slightest chance to weigh you down.

Find out what causes your stress

It may be hard to find a lasting solution to your mental health struggles if you don’t know what actually exposes you to stress. Running a startup, especially in these trying times of the pandemic, can take a massive toll on your time and energy. For every business person, there is one recurring situation that causes them a heavy amount of stress. This could include excessive workloads, financial constraints, and the fear of the unknown.

It’s your duty to try to figure out the exact sources of stress and take steps to address them. For instance, you’re likely to experience stress if your company lacks insurance coverage to protect your business and its loyal customers. If that’s the case, then the best solution is to search for the best business insurance quotes and sign up to protect your business against uncertainties.

Make time to self-reflect

It’s necessary to hit the pause button once in a while so that you can have time to reflect on a few critical business issues. Schedule a day or two every week to breathe and reflect on how things are going. What are your achievements so far? Which areas of the business need more improvement? Asking these vital questions can help you overcome setbacks and move forward. 

Just be sure to speak positive words to yourself as you can think through and dissect critical issues concerning the growth of your brand. More often than not, people who experience emotional breakdowns are victims of their own thoughts — mental health experts have linked harsh self-talk to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Pay attention to burnout

Burnout is one of the worst nightmares in the corporate world, and the W.H.O. has officially recognized it as a disorder. Often, entrepreneurs ignore burnout symptoms, which often leads to worrisome problems along the line. Pay attention to burnout symptoms such as feeling cynical about your work and lack of motivation for your business. 

Burnouts may send a strong signal that you need a break from your usual routines. Therefore, act quickly and consider taking some time off to see the other side of life. Going on a short break can help you freshen up your brain for the next tasks.

Create an open work environment

Workers who address their depressive feelings are able to create the right atmosphere to grow. Talk with your peers, and seek help from professionals if you feel that your mental health is being threatened. Reduce toxicity in the workplace by creating an open working environment where people feel free to share their feelings and challenges.

Open channels, and start communicating with your team about personal and business matters with deep connections with stress. Consider asking your staff to voice out things that get in their way of accomplishing shared organizational goals. 

You can enhance your workers’ psychological flexibility by talking about things in the open. By creating a conducive work environment where open communication is prioritized, you can build an accepting business atmosphere and improve creativity while limiting mental health challenges.