Research indicates that 72% of entrepreneurs suffer from mental health issues, with 30% likelier to have depression. Indeed, several circumstances can trigger depression, including extreme stress and lack of control over some situations, and if left unchecked, it can cause you to lose interest in your business, leading to poor performance, loss of customers, and even collapse. Fortunately, you can overcome a founder’s depression with the right tips. Here are a few worth considering for the best results.
Prepare for the negatives
It’s not unusual for people to start a business with unrealistic expectations and get disappointed as time goes on. You should know that entrepreneurship has challenges, regardless of its numerous perks. For starters, you may have to deal with many rejections from potential investors while dealing with financial risks. Also, you will likely have competitors to outshine, whether in the E-commerce industry or other niches.
Therefore, it’s prudent to understand these challenges and devise a plan to combat them. This way, you can be prepared for whatever your entrepreneurship journey offers without becoming depressed. As a tip, view each failure as a learning process to further improve your brand. Regarding investor rejections, ensure that you reevaluate your business idea using helpful feedback from investors. Consequently, identify and fix the problems and pitch your improved business ideas.
Don’t ignore your health
Admittedly, your zeal for business success can motivate you to go the extra mile. However, this can be a problem if you compromise your health. Ignoring your well-being can increase your chances of developing illnesses affecting your business productivity. And this, in turn, can lead to depression. To avoid these, prioritizing your overall well-being is essential. Fortunately, you can achieve this through diverse means.
To get started, ensure you get the right amount of sleep daily to prevent fatigue and weakness. As a tip, stick to a regular sleep routine and resist the urge to be on your phone immediately before bed. Also, avoid eating or drinking caffeinated drinks immediately before bed. You also want to be particular about what you eat instead of consuming whatever you find. This isn’t to say that you should stick to an unrealistically strict diet. Instead, meals with all the food classes in moderation will work well, so keep this in mind. Exercise is also a good addition to your daily routine, so feel free to consider this. Not only does it keep you in top shape, but it also stimulates your brain to release endorphins that boost your mood.
Build a good support network
Although you may try to handle everything yourself, it may not be the best idea. Instead, create a good support network of people you can trust and open up to without feeling insecure. These people may be family members, friends, business advisors, coaches, etc. You can discuss your feelings and struggles with friends and family members. Consequently, you can speak with your business advisors regarding your business operations. This way, you can avoid making decisions that derail your business.
