NURTURING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AS AN ENTREPRENEUR

Passion and perfectionism can cause entrepreneurs to get caught up in various business demands and responsibilities. Inevitably, this can mean disregarding your mental health. However, taking care of your mental health is crucial for your well-being and the success of your business. Especially in this current climate of economic instability and the cost of living crisis impinging on the cost of doing business and the well-being of the workforce.

Running a business can be immensely rewarding, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges that can take a toll on your mental health. The pressure to make critical decisions, handle financial responsibilities, and manage a team can be overwhelming.

Even at the best of times, good mental health and entrepreneurship don’t always go hand in hand. Building a brand, maintaining healthy profit margins, and crafting the perfect experience for customers and employees demand time, energy and attention. As such, the mental health of entrepreneurs can get neglected.

However, prioritising mental health not only improves the well-being of the entrepreneurs at stake but can empower them to improve their employee and customer experience, safeguard the reputation of their brand and create a workplace culture that’s conducive to productivity because unfortunately, employees are also facing a mental health crisis.

It has been researched that; 56% of employees show signs of depression,60% demonstrate at least mild anxiety and 76% experience moderate-to-high stress levels

In this blog, we’ll explore effective strategies for managing your mental health as a business owner.

Ways Entrepreneurs Can Prioritize Their Mental Health

1. Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care is often underestimated but is essential for maintaining mental well-being. Make time for activities that help you relax. Whether it’s taking the time to exercise or meditate in your free time, reading inspirational or motivational books, or spending more time outdoors-particularly in nature. Any other activity that helps you relax and unwind can be classed as self-care. Incorporating self-care into your routine can reduce stress and improve your mental health.

Also actively encourage your team to follow this example and give them the resources to do so, entrepreneur mental health is reflected in employee mental health.

2. Set Boundaries
Passionate entrepreneurs always face a constant temptation to put work first, even if it means working unfeasibly long hours and ignoring their mental status.
As an entrepreneur, your mental health requires the setting of boundaries to ensure work-life balance. Set clear boundaries between work and personal time for yourself to ensure that your business does not consume your life.

It could be; setting specific working hours and sticking to them, embracing automation to reduce your administrative workload, delegating more tasks, knowing when to step away from your desk and take a break and taking time off when you feel overwhelmed.

By setting boundaries, you can avoid overworking yourself, maintain a healthy work-life balance and reduce stress and anxiety.

3. Set Realistic Goals
Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and anxiety. Instead, set achievable goals and break them down into manageable steps. This not only reduces stress but also provides a sense of accomplishment as you reach each milestone.

4. Practice Mindfulness
Small business owners’ mental health is often jeopardised because they have their attention divided between so many tasks, meetings, operational activities and the never-ending battle for business cash flow. Mindfulness helps the body and mind to slow down.

It involves being present and fully engaged in the now. This can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall mental health. Incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as mindful breathing or taking a few minutes to appreciate your surroundings, can help you stay grounded and present, even in the face of uncertainty.

5. Delegate And Seek Support
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to capable team members and consider outsourcing when necessary. Seek support from from friends, family, other business owners, mentors, business advisors, or mental health professionals who can provide guidance and a fresh perspective.

Additionally, consider working with a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support that help you navigate the unique challenges of running a business and provide valuable coping mechanisms that you can pass on to your team.

6. Take Breaks
Your passion and dedication can often leave you tied to your desk. However taking breaks is essential for maintaining good mental health. Schedule regular breaks throughout the day, and don’t be afraid to take time off when you need it.

By allowing yourself to rest and recharge, you can improve productivity and keep mental and physical exhaustion at bay. Taking breaks can also help you gain perspective and boost creativity, enabling you to come up with innovative ideas for your business.

7. Maintain A Work-Life Balance And Manage Stress
Balancing work and personal life is crucial. Set boundaries for work hours and ensure you allocate time for family, friends, and hobbies. Disconnecting from work during your downtime allows you to recharge and maintain a healthier mental state.

Recognize your stress triggers and develop strategies to address them effectively. Consider practising stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or journaling.

8. Foster A Positive Work Environment And Stay Organized
Creating a supportive and positive work environment can benefit both you and your team. Encourage open communication, provide opportunities for professional development, and promote a culture of work-life balance within your company.

Implement effective time management and organisational tools to streamline your workflow. This can help reduce the mental clutter that often accompanies a busy entrepreneurial life.

9. Seek Professional Help
As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Entrepreneurs need to identify the signs of poor mental health, both in themselves and their employees.

If you find that your mental health is significantly impacted by the demands of running a business, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist or counsellor can provide valuable insights and coping strategies to help you navigate the challenges effectively.

10. Actively Encourage Employee Well-being
Anxiety and chronic stress can also prevent employees from fully “showing up” to work, leading to reduced effectiveness and costly mistakes.
Look out for changes in behaviours or mood, such as: increased irritability, withdrawal from social activities, increased absence, loss of interest in work and colleagues, decreased productivity, e.t.c

Entrepreneur mental health affect all employees. As a business owner, it’s important to prioritise the well-being of your employees as well. Consider offering employee benefits that support mental health, such as: providing a well-being allowance, utilising outdoor/breakout space, encouraging employees to walk or cycle to work where possible, e.t.c.

You may also need to support the mental wellbeing of your employees if you could, take out time and talk to them about their behavioural changes. Encourage the individual to talk and let them know you want to help them and ask what this might be.

By prioritising employee wellbeing, you can create a positive work environment and improve overall productivity. Remember that your employees’ mental health can directly impact the success of your business. Take care of them, and they will take care of your company.

Conclusion
As a business owner, your mental health is a valuable asset. By prioritizing self-care, setting realistic goals, seeking support, and managing stress effectively, you can not only run a successful business but also maintain a healthy work-life balance. Remember that taking care of your mental well-being is not a sign of weakness but a smart business strategy that will enable you to thrive in the long run.