Investing in mental health as an entrepreneur is important. You must ensure you’re filled up and in a strong place emotionally, mentally and spiritually to take on the challenge to be what is demanded from you.
The truth is, we all have our things. The things that tear us down, that get under our skin, that apply pressure when we could really use a break.
When people talk about entrepreneurship, most of the discussions revolve around the sense of fulfillment or satisfaction they get from building something out of nothing. While this may be true, there’s another side to going into business for yourself: the price you pay. That “price” is a psychological one. According to a recent survey, 30 percent of the entrepreneurs participating reported a lifetime history of depression. Another 29 percent said they were dealing with ADHD; 27 percent revealed feelings of anxiety.
It’s easy to get sucked into the daily work your startup involves, especially when you’re passionate about the industry. It’s your idea — your baby — and it’s natural to want to invest as much time as you can into it.
Unfortunately, that desire sometimes leads to 100-hour weeks, long weekends and sleepless nights, leaving you little room for anything else in life. What’s most dangerous is that this imbalance often sets in without entrepreneurs ever realizing it. So, make sure to prioritize your health, and don’t be afraid to take breaks.
The hidden secret among many entrepreneurs is the psychological price they pay for their choices. The demands of business ownership may place entrepreneurs at a higher risk of specific mental health problems.
So I made it a priority to invest in myself – in taking a break, addressing mental health hurdles, and creating space in my schedule where I could focus on taking a breath and carving out time to reflect.
Emotional difficulties aren’t a sign of weakness. It’s just a fact that the entrepreneurial lifestyle often lends itself to reduced resilience against mental health issues. Take a proactive approach to preventing emotional problems when you can, and if you’re already noticing the psychological toll of business ownership – seek professional help before it gets worse.
Is there anything you want to ask me? Anything you struggle with as an entrepreneur? Let’s hear it in the comments below. I want to help.
Sources – https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/269883 https://www.forbes.com/sites/toriutley/2017/05/27/3-ways-focusing-on-mental-health-has-made-me-a-better-entrepreneur/ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/285854
