In a market with fewer formal vacancies and salaries that leave something to be desired, more and more people are embarking on the strategy of entrepreneurship. Freedom, autonomy, potentially higher earnings attract part of the workforce. But new research raises a warning: Nearly all entrepreneurs have faced mental health issues. What to do?
OR study the health and performance of entrepreneurs, from Endeavor Brasil, interviewed 118 high-impact entrepreneurs (start-up and scale-up leaders). 94% of them have faced some mental health problem in their lives.
Anxiety (as expected) was the most common condition, followed by burnout, panic attack (another form of anxiety), and depression. Almost 65% of respondents work more than 50 hours a week and 60% consider their routine stressful or very stressful.
The imbalance between work and personal life, the fear of failure, the financial situation of the company, fundraising, the economic situation of the market, the hiring and management of people and relationships with partners were the factors that influenced more on the health and performance of entrepreneurs.
In a country that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), faces the highest rates of anxiety and depression in the world, the plight of entrepreneurs can be seen as another aspect of this complex matrix we find here.
While on the one hand there is a universe of potential and possibilities for success, on the other there is a degree of uncertainty, insecurity and difficulty that ends up frustrating expectations and undermining mental health. It is as if the “Cost Brazil” package entailed a great risk for well-being and quality of life.
In the scenario so well described by the South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han, professor at the University of Berlin and author of the book Sociedade do Saço (2015), we live in a historical moment in which performances are permanent focuses of our attention. . We work to produce more and more and we are very cruel leaders towards ourselves. The price you pay is tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion and mental illness.
How to reverse this scenario? In a more systemic context, it would be important to think of a country that reduces the abysmal social inequalities, guarantees access to quality healthcare and education for all, increases the level of social security of the population and reduces the levels of violence, prejudice and discrimination. People’s perception of their leadership should also change. Corruption, distrust and discredit are negative factors in building a fairer and happier society.
On an individual level, each of us should rethink long working hours, overloads of various kinds, pressure for results and performance, excessive responsibilities and the growing dependence on screens and technologies, which blur the boundaries between what work is and what is free time?
Furthermore, it would be important to create a routine made up of regular physical activity and adequate nutrition, quality sleep, more time and greater investment in meaningful social relationships and better management of daily stress, with relaxation strategies, meditation, contact with nature and awareness. . And, of course, for those who need it, the support of a mental health professional.
Work-life balance, which seems like a difficult calculation to calculate, may be closer than we think. But you have to start and then transform these changes into a new lifestyle, where the focus is on you, not on what you produce.
*Jairo Bouer is a psychiatrist and writes weekly for Terra Você.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
