Entrepreneurship is rewarding, but taxing. There is so much hard work and focus involved in building a business. Sometimes, personal growth and self-care can become an afterthought for even the most disciplined business owner.
As an entrepreneur, your mental health deserves to be your top priority. If you’re not functioning at your best, the business you run can’t function at its best. To become your best self and build a thriving business, it’s essential to manage your peace of mind and engage in thoughts and practices that support your mental well-being.
Why Mental Health Matters
Data indicates that 72 percent of entrepreneurs experience mental health issues. We associate entrepreneurship with freedom and control over your life, but these benefits come with challenges to your mental health, especially in the early stages when you’re fighting to make your business a success. Entrepreneurs are more likely to experience conditions associated with higher rates of suicide and mental illness, like financial problems, relationship stress, and feelings of social isolation. Rather than waiting for these issues to appear, it’s important to be proactive about maintaining your mental well-being.
How to Support Your Mental Wellness
While it’s difficult to remove the parts of entrepreneurship associated with mental health issues, awareness about these challenges will help you implement behaviors that support your mental well-being.
Fortify Your Finances
Work on improving your financial literacy and independence; it’s tempting to put everything you have into your entrepreneurship journey, but this is extremely risky. Instead, take steps to bolster your personal finances. Pay yourself first, and have other income streams you can utilize. As you raise money, take a salary. Falling victim to the stereotype of the broke entrepreneur makes it hard to become your best self.
Seek Out Support
A lack of support is another issue associated with mental and physical health problems. Surround yourself with friends and family who encourage you to become your best self, even if your journey is inconvenient for them. Support from people who encourage and build you up minimizes damaging feelings of isolation and rejection. Support is essential in your entrepreneurial journey! Luckily, you’re in the right place for that. Join the I’m Loving Me Mailing list, tune in to our Facebook Lives and Gloria’s Inspiration In 30 series, interact with us on Facebook and Instagram! This is your community. Connect with people who understand what you’re going through. We’re a community of women who can empathize with your struggles because we’ve been there before. We know the challenges associated with being an entrepreneur, and we have so many resources and programs for you to thrive in your personal life, as well as your business life.
Embrace Activities That Support Your Mental Health
Practices associated with stronger mental health should be part of your daily schedule. As an entrepreneur, self-care is a necessity. When you wake up, take 10 minutes to meditate, express gratitude, or write in your journal. Spend part of your lunch break walking or doing a quick yoga session. You don’t have to spend hours on your self-care for it to make a difference. A few 10-15 minute chunks throughout the day can make all the difference. Make sure that you live a healthy lifestyle and get enough sleep. It’s hard to build a successful business when you don’t feel your best.
We’ve got so much happening at The I’m Loving Me Project, from retreats and coaching, to parties and events. Join our tribe, and surround yourself with the support system you and your business needs and deserves!
