BusinessHealth

7 Effective Mental Health Tips for Leaders & Entrepreneurs

Unfortunately, some leaders and entrepreneurs believe that prioritizing sleep and rest is a sign of incompetence! But how can an unhealthy mind and body be able to make quality decisions and attain sizeable goals?

The modern business world is extremely competitive and this keeps business leaders and entrepreneurs at the edge of their careers. It’s the leader or the entrepreneur who oversees the direction of a business and plans and secures resources. In addition, they must meet tight deadlines and perform to produce the intended results.

However, like any other individual in the workforce or business sector, entrepreneurs and leaders also suffer from mental illnesses. Mental health issues like depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, burnout, and sleep disorders are prevalent among leaders and entrepreneurs.

One study found that 72% of entrepreneurs are affected or somehow affected by mental health issues. Mental illnesses are common today and when left unattended, they can trigger or increase substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and behavioral and emotional disorders.

With that, there are many reasons why leaders and entrepreneurs need to prioritize their mental health. This is not only ideal for themselves, but also for the people they manage or those within their circles. But what are some of the best mental health tips for modern leaders and entrepreneurs?

7 Effective Mental Health Tips for Leaders and Entrepreneurs

There are many mental health tips that leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe can follow, but here are the most reliable ones;

  1. Be More Realist & Optimistic

Being an entrepreneur or a leader isn’t easy, however, being more realistic and optimistic can help modern entrepreneurs and leaders reduce the likelihood of developing mental health issues. Achieving cumbersome goals may be tuff for entrepreneurs, especially if there is no roadmap implemented and followed.

Entrepreneurial success today isn’t largely about intellectual capabilities, but realities. For example market forces and problem-solving. Also, optimism has become a major driving force in the business world today. Therefore, to avoid being overwhelmed by business challenges, find means of maintaining a superior hand on your tasks.

Assess the goals with other factors like company resources and its performance in the marketplace. Delegate tasks and try to break down big targets into smaller bites. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses by using any of the different reflection models to help you stay realistic and optimistic. This will help you reduce the effect of stress and eliminate the likelihood of other mental health issues.

  1. Check Out the Different Signs

Deteriorating mental health normally has several indicators, yet, these may be ignored by the victims. On the other hand, many of the victims are unaware that they suffer from one or more mental health conditions that may require attention. With time, these develop into serious mental issues that can exacerbate working and management experiences.

Mental health issues like anxiety, stress, burnout (chronic exhaustion), and depression can affect the performance of a leader or an entrepreneur. The good news is that there are signs and symptoms that entrepreneurs and leaders can identify to either combat mental illnesses at the earliest or reduce their impact.

Some of the signs to check out for include fatigue, irritability, outbursts, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, changes in mood, or being lethargic. Any of these or a combination could point to a mental health problem and addressing the issue immediately can help a leader or an entrepreneur remain effective and active.

  1. Set Strong Boundaries

Boundaries are very important when it comes to maintaining superior mental health. Boundaries in the workforce are described as personal limits or borderlines that protect an individual, especially mentally and emotionally.

The inability to set formidable boundaries can cause many disruptions in a leader’s or entrepreneur’s life. For example, it can increase mental pressure, stress, and poor performance. There are many ways leaders and entrepreneurs can set firm boundaries, including being transparent, saying no, where necessary, and implementing routines.

You will also have to establish clear values that are known and respected. As a leader or an entrepreneur, it should be noted that your actions must speak louder than words. If you want your team to respect you, start by respecting yourself. Don’t respond to phone calls during an inappropriate period, let your yes be a yes and your no a no. In this way, you will eliminate many instances that may affect you emotionally and mentally.

  1. Prioritize “Me-Time”

Let your “me time” count! Do you have a self-care routine and you aren’t benefiting from it optimally? It might be time to make a few modifications. Many leaders and entrepreneurs look at “me time” or self-care as detestable, especially if you are hardworking and a serious business leader.

However, self-care is not a period to waste time. When leveraged intentionally, “me time” can become a powerful tool for self-improvement. As a leader or an entrepreneur, you can utilize this time to meditate, read your favorite books, or develop a new mindset about certain things.

Self-care can help any entrepreneur and leader to fight against stress, find new interests in life, or improve overall well-being.

  1. Tap Into the Power of Emotional Intelligence 

Also known as EQ, emotional intelligence is the ability to understand your emotions and manage them accordingly. EQ also goes ahead to bestow an ability to understand the effect of one’s emotions on others. Entrepreneurs and those in leadership positions deal with a lot and commonly, this leaves them drained.

The skill of SEL or emotional intelligence can help entrepreneurs and leaders to become more effective. Generally, it helps them become more empathetic, considerate, and mentally positioned to make quality decisions. EQ can also help entrepreneurs and leaders collaborate with others, and manage people and stress better.

Findings also indicate that EQ is highly responsible for what sets some leaders and entrepreneurs apart from their counterparts. With that, practice emotional intelligence to help you manage your emotions better and promote better mental health.

  1. Prioritize Physical Activity 

Physical activity is very essential. For an entrepreneur or a leader who spends most of the time sitting in front of the PC planning and responding to calls, setting aside time to engage in physical activity can dimensionally improve mental health.

Physical activities are responsible for many positive changes in the body and the brain. For example, they increase the production of happy hormones i.e. dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that can help to fight against stress.

Physical activities like running, gym workouts, walking, and swimming can also improve brain function i.e cognitive abilities. They can also strengthen the bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of certain diseases like type 2 diabetes, and bipolar disorder.

Regular physical activity has immediate positive effects, for example, it can improve mood, memory, and emotional balance.

  1. Cultivate a Reliable Social Life 

Beyond the business circle, an entrepreneur and a leader need a social circle. It’s the social circle that acts as a shoulder in times of crisis or when business intelligence ceases to be needful. Friends and family can help any entrepreneur to recharge his or her mental power.

Studies have also shown that people with a social life tend to be happier and are also more likely to live longer. That’s because a social circle can eliminate the chances of feeling lonely and can also reduce the impact of stress.

Maintaining your mental health as an entrepreneur or a leader is crucial to encapsulate. Yet most times, there is a likelihood of downplaying its importance. Here are some of the best mental health tips that entrepreneurs and leaders can take to stay mentally viable and healthy.

Also Read: 5 Tactics to improve Employee’s Morale

Tags

Jessica Robinson

Jessica Robinson loves to write interesting and knowledgeable blogs regarding business management, education, and life to satiate the curiosity of her lovely readers. Currently, she is serving as a content manager at the ‘Speaking Polymath’. Every piece of content that she writes demonstrates her immense love and passion for her profession.

Related Articles

Close