Being an entrepreneur is not easy. While establishing and managing a business, there are various challenges, stress, and complexities that entrepreneurs have to face. Even though it is an extremely rewarding career path to intake, it has its pressures that can take a toll on the entrepreneur’s mental health. The constant pressure to overcome challenges to succeed in their business while working long hours can all contribute to developing various mental health issues. These mental health issues can range from depression to anxiety and burnout.
As an entrepreneur, you’re likely to face many challenges in your journey which you cannot avoid. However, you can avoid suffering from mental health issues as a consequence of the immense pressure. In this article, we shall aim to how to avoid mental health issues as an entrepreneur with a focus on the role of epigenetics, how to manage impostor syndrome, and the dangers of the savior complex.
- Understanding Epigenetics and its consequences.
Epigenetics is concerned with how various environmental factors can affect our genetic code. It studies how genetic vulnerabilities associated with an individual’s life experiences can cause multiple mental illnesses. The epigenetics studies focused on establishing a relationship between life-changing experiences and environmental factors with genes. This relationship further helps us understand why some individuals are more suspectable to mental health issues than others.
For entrepreneurs, epigenetics is a great way to avoid mental health complications. An entrepreneur’s life is filled with stressful work and complicated habits. Thus, it’s essential for them to be aware of their environment and how it can affect their life. Considering the epigenetics studies, various steps should be taken to maintain a healthy work-life balance, regular exercise, surround themselves with a positive environment and engage in activities outside work.
- Avoiding the Saviour Complex.
The Saviour complex is one of the primary reasons contributing to the deteriorating mental health of entrepreneurs. Saviour complex is a common syndrome wherein individuals feel like they are obligated to help others by solving all their problems at the expense of their own mental or physical health. It can range from mild to severe range and makes the individual believe that they are responsible for rescuing others from their problems even if it’s not their place.
Entrepreneurs often face such a savior complex, wherein they think they have the responsibility to solve all the problems of their customers and employees. They often create a mindset that forces them to solve the problems of everyone involved in their business. To maintain stable mental health, entrepreneurs have to avoid the savior complex. It can be quickly done by setting appropriate boundaries and identifying their boundaries with customers and employers. As an entrepreneur, you should focus on providing quality products and services and avoid trying to fix all your customers’ problems.
- Managing the Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is where an individual feels like a fraud or an imposter, who lacks the skills and qualifications for whatever they are doing, and others would soon discover the same. This psychological phenomenon is very common among entrepreneurs. In fact, a recent study discovered that 84% of entrepreneurs and small business owners suffer from imposter syndrome. It usually occurs due to the immense pressure to succeed and fear of failure. Imposter syndrome is a very real phenomenon that can negatively affect the entrepreneur’s mental health and become the cause of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.
Thus, it’s essential to manage imposter syndrome effectively. Entrepreneurs must recognize that these feelings are common and cannot reflect their business capabilities. Communicating with friends, families, and licensed therapists can help you achieve an objective perspective focused on accomplishment. To avoid serious mental health issues, entrepreneurs must focus on the bright side of their business to manage their imposter syndrome.
Conclusion
Avoiding mental health issues is a challenging task to complete for entrepreneurs who have busy lives with huge responsibilities. However, with a balance of self-care, awareness, and necessary boundaries, one can achieve mental peace to a large extent. Through understanding epigenetics, savior complex, and imposter syndrome, entrepreneurs can create a healthier space for themselves to work and a sustainable environment for their businesses. Seeking necessary help whenever needed is the best way to avoid mental health issues, and it makes you a stronger entrepreneur with greater chances of success.
