{"id":842,"date":"2025-01-09T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backstagelenses.com\/?p=842"},"modified":"2025-01-29T22:44:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T22:44:34","slug":"entrepreneurs-are-struggling-with-mental-health-heres-how-they-manage-their-stress-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backstagelenses.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/09\/entrepreneurs-are-struggling-with-mental-health-heres-how-they-manage-their-stress-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Entrepreneurs Are Struggling With Mental Health \u2014 Here\u2019s How They Manage Their Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"
Entrepreneurs are more likely to self-report having mental health struggles<\/a>, which makes sense\u2014starting a business from scratch can be risky, exhilarating, and exhausting, often all at once.<\/p>\n What\u2019s most important is that mental health stressors can be dealt with and don\u2019t have to get in the way of your success. In this piece, I\u2019ll dive deeper into entrepreneur mental health and outline what entrepreneurs told me about their most pressing mental health stress, and their anecdotal advice for rising above.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Dr. Michael Freeman, a Psychiatrist and researcher at UC San Francisco, conducted a study<\/a> that illustrates how different founders are from the rest of the population.<\/p>\n Freeman, who was once a co-founder and CEO, identified the need for this type of research through that experience. \u201cEverybody can hold a job, some can lead a team or club, but very few people can start and grow a business,\u201d he says. \u201cI thought there had to be a difference between job holders and even leaders within organizations and those who start a business \u2014 and the research we\u2019ve conducted validates that hypothesis.\u201d<\/p>\n Results of his study showed that entrepreneurs were much more likely to report mental health conditions than non-entrepreneurs: 72% and 48%, respectively.<\/p>\n Source<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The +40% likelihood of mental health conditions among entrepreneurs raises the question of whether entrepreneurship spurs mental health issues or if individuals already susceptible to these conditions more regularly become entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n Freeman says that founding a business can compound stressors one would encounter normally and create weak points that might not matter in other professions or lifestyles. \u201cEntrepreneurship affects people with and without prior mental health conditions, and personality has something to do with your vulnerability,\u201d he explains. \u201cIf you are an introverted person, but as an entrepreneur, you can\u2019t succeed without building relationships, that personality trait creates a vulnerability for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n While Freeman\u2019s findings might seem high, I\u2019m not too surprised by them because entrepreneurship is<\/em> challenging. I don\u2019t think it means entrepreneurs are doomed to struggle perpetually, though.<\/p>\n I wanted to dig deeper into the current state of entrepreneur mental health, so I surveyed a group of small business and startup owners to see where they stand.<\/p>\n I first asked respondents to rate their current mental health on a scale of one (worst) to five (best), and the average response was four, which is a good sign.<\/p>\n Despite this, respondents admit to having struggled. Anxiety and depression were the most common struggles, as well as burnout.<\/p>\n The top stressors that respondents experience that likely contribute to mental health struggles are financial concerns (61%), followed by day-to-day stress (41%), uncertainty about the future (35%), and fear of failure or rejection (25%).<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Even though founders shared their own experiences with me, 89% say there is still a stigma around mental health in the business community \u2014 with 27% saying that, while the stigma does exist, it\u2019s getting better.<\/p>\n This stigma could be to blame for the lack of mental health support for founders: 34% of respondents say there are resources to take advantage of, but not enough.<\/p>\n The mental health struggles entrepreneurs can face can be overcome and dealt with healthily. Respondents told me that their most common coping mechanism is exercise (55%), followed by engaging in hobbies (51%) and talking with friends\/family (46%).<\/p>\n All this being said, I still wanted to learn more about how entrepreneurs deal with the stress they may feel, so I asked exactly that. Here\u2019s how entrepreneurs recommend dealing with mental health based on their own experiences.<\/p>\n Toccara Karizma<\/a>, CEO of Karizma Marketing<\/a>, told me: \u201cBig wins, small wins\u2014I celebrate them all! From landing a new client to simply checking off a challenging task, I take the time to acknowledge my efforts and accomplishments. It\u2018s so easy to focus on what\u2019s next, but I\u2018ve found that celebrating progress keeps me motivated and reminds me that I\u2019m moving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n It can be easy to forget how far you\u2019ve come when you\u2019re in the throws of it, so take time to celebrate your progress and wins. It helps you take a step back to see that you have had achievements along the way, even small ones. Having this perspective can leave you feeling motivated to continue on your journey.<\/p>\n Entrepreneurs wear a lot of hats. This is especially true if you\u2019re just starting and acting as a salesperson, marketer, recruiter, and support specialist.<\/p>\n So, take steps to protect your mental health by consciously stepping back and taking breaks. \u201cI\u2019ve learned that stepping away is essential for gaining perspective. Despite the never-ending nature of work, taking breaks is crucial. Whether it\u2019s a day off, a few hours with loved ones, or a vacation, these moments of respite are invaluable,\u201d says Charles Johnson<\/a>, Principal at Kansas City Office Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n I understand you might feel pressed for time, but these breaks don\u2019t have to be long. If you get off a stressful phone call, your break can be stepping away for 10 minutes to take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. A break could be sitting in a different room to eat lunch to put yourself in a different environment or, of course, something longer like taking a vacation.<\/p>\n Setting boundaries is essential to life, and it can be especially helpful for entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n You can set different kinds of workplace boundaries to ensure you\u2019re not always \u201con\u201d and actually have time for yourself. For example, you can establish work hours and stick to them (like 9-5) or create a daily schedule to structure your time.<\/p>\n Angela Pidala<\/a>, LCSW and owner of Adored Mothers Perinatal Therapy Center, PLLC<\/a>, says, \u201cStick to [your] boundaries and remain consistent. I can testify to how easy it can be to just answer this one phone call or respond to one more email, but the more I blurred my boundaries, the more I felt resentment and burnout.\u201d<\/p>\n Boundaries outside of work can include setting time aside for hobbies, seeing friends and family, and generally doing anything that doesn\u2019t require you to think about work. Raffaello Antonino<\/a>, Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Director at Therapy Central LLP<\/a> recommends using physical cues, like changing clothes after work hours and having dedicated spaces for work vs. leisure.<\/p>\n A big part of setting boundaries is also becoming comfortable saying no, but, as John Lattanzio<\/a>, Owner of John Angelo Photography<\/a>, says, \u201cBoundaries aren\u2018t just about saying no to others; they\u2019re about saying yes to your well-being.”<\/p>\n Many entrepreneurs told me that having a support network is a great tool for sustaining your mental health, and this makes sense to me: it gives you an outlet for advice, insight, and feedback that can bring you clarity, help you stay balanced, or push you to think about things in a new life.<\/p>\n Heidi Weinberg<\/a>, Founder & CEO of Successful Fashion Designer<\/a>, shared this anecdote with me: \u201cNetworks take time to build, but having friends who face the same problems and challenges you do is priceless. I have a handful of women who I can call out of the blue to vent to, celebrate with, or ask for help when things get tough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeek support from friends, family, or other business owners who understand your challenges\u2026running a business can be isolating, but remember, you\u2019re not alone in this journey,\u201d advises Lattanzio<\/a>. A network of people you trust can make all the difference.<\/p>\n Failure and imperfection come with the territory of entrepreneurship, and understanding that is part of managing one’s mental health.<\/p>\n Kristin Marquet<\/a>, Founder and Creative Director of Marquet Media<\/a>, told me that she\u2019s learned to embrace imperfection. She said, \u201cFocusing on progress, not perfection, allows me to make and grow from mistakes. By taking care of my mental health and seeking balance, I can stay resilient and keep my businesses thriving.\u201d<\/p>\n A great way to embrace failures as part of the process is to view setbacks as learning opportunities that teach you to take a different approach to reach a new outcome.<\/p>\n Joseph Passalacqua<\/a>, Owner & CEO of Maid Sailors<\/a>, keeps a \u201cWins and Worries\u201d journal. He says, \u201cRather than just celebrating successes or dwelling on problems, I document both in equal measure. This balanced perspective has helped me maintain emotional equilibrium during business ups and downs. Last year, reviewing this journal helped me realize that 80% of my worries never turned into anything, which dramatically reduced my anxiety about future challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n As I mentioned above, nearly 90% of respondents to the survey I ran say there\u2019s mental health stigma in the business community. I\u2019d bet that much of that stigma impacts people\u2019s willingness to get professional help if things feel too challenging to manage alone.<\/p>\n The truth is that a professional is a professional because they know what they\u2019re doing. They know how to talk you through whatever is on your mind and identify strategies to help you overcome any issues. Iqbal Ahmad<\/a>, CEO of Britannia School of Academics<\/a>, told me this: \u201cSeeking therapy or counseling is not a sign of weakness but of strength. During a particularly stressful business expansion, engaging with a counselor provided me with strategies to handle pressure and maintain balance, ultimately improving both my personal and professional life.\u201d<\/p>\n I also want to note that something doesn\u2019t have to be \u201cwrong\u201d to seek out professional help. If you\u2019re in a more positive period, maybe they can act as a sounding board. If you\u2019re struggling, they can help you develop coping mechanisms.<\/p>\n Julia North<\/a>, Founder of Wigonia<\/a>, says that professional help was a game-changer: \u201cI found a therapist who specializes in working with entrepreneurs, and it\u2018s been the best investment I\u2019ve made besides my initial inventory.\u201d<\/p>\n Okay, I know many entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs because they\u2019re pursuing something they\u2019re passionate about. Something that means a lot to them and who they are, and they invest their money, time, and resources into helping it succeed.<\/p>\n Because of this, separating yourself from your work might seem impossible, but I mean it in terms of separating your perception of yourself from the success of your business.<\/p>\n Tyson Downs<\/a> told me: \u201cI remind myself that my self-worth isn\u2018t tied to my business\u2019s performance. It\u2018s hard not to take your successes and failures personally, but business has challenges; it\u2019s just part of the deal\u2026Taking care of yourself isn\u2018t selfish\u2014it\u2019s what makes you a better leader.\u201d<\/p>\n Most of the entrepreneurs I spoke to shared a version of the seven strategies above, but I want to share a few unique and fun tips that I recommend trying out:<\/p>\n Being a founder isn\u2019t always glamorous \u2014 the pressure of running a business can take its toll on your mental health.<\/p>\n Leverage the advice from the entrepreneurs I spoke to and develop a strategy that helps you keep a hold on your professional success and maintain mental clarity.<\/p>\n Editor’s note: This post was originally published in April 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.<\/em><\/p>\n Entrepreneurs are more likely to self-report having mental health struggles, which makes sense\u2014starting a business from scratch can be risky, exhilarating, and exhausting, often all at once. What\u2019s most important is that mental health stressors…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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Entrepreneurship and Mental Health: What\u2019s the Connection?<\/h2>\n
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State of Entrepreneur Mental Health<\/h2>\n
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How Entrepreneurs Can Improve Their Mental Health<\/h2>\n
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1. Celebrate all of your progress.<\/h3>\n
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2. Remember to take breaks.<\/h3>\n
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3. Set boundaries.<\/h3>\n
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4. Build a support network.<\/h3>\n
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5. Accept failures and imperfections as part of the process.<\/h3>\n
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6. Get professional help if needed.<\/h3>\n
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7. Be able to separate yourself from the work.<\/h3>\n
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Over To You<\/h2>\n
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