Unleashing Startup Founder's Self-Care Strategies & Conquering Stress

Being a great startup founder goes beyond just building a successful business. It is a stressful job that among others requires a commitment to becoming a great leader by leading yourself in the first place. Leaders have a significant impact on their team's mental health.

During a recent gathering of brilliant minds at the Credo Ventures Founders Summit, I had the privilege of diving into the topic of self-care strategies for combating stress. In this article, I aim to share valuable insights from our incredible founders.

Physical Activities: Energize and Unwind 🚴🏻‍♀️

Engaging in physical activities emerged as the most common self-care strategy mentioned by startup founders. More than half of the participants emphasized the importance of regular workouts, running, cycling, and other sports. Physical exercise not only boosts our physical health but also reduces stress by decreasing the levels of cortisol, known as the "stress hormone," while increasing the production of endorphins, the "happy hormones." Combining these activities with listening to podcasts or spending quality time with loved ones for an added boost was mentioned as a bonus strategy.

Mind-Body Harmony: Yoga, Meditation, and Deep Breathing 🧘‍♀️

To calm both mind and body, many founders turned to practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. Scientific research consistently supports these activities as effective stress management techniques. Yoga and meditation help regulate the body's stress response system, lower blood pressure, and improve overall mental well-being. Incorporating these practices into your routine can lead to a more balanced and centered approach to leadership.

Switching to Manual Work: Finding Peace in Simplicity 🧑🏻‍🌾

Founders highlighted the therapeutic benefits of switching to manual work, such as wood chopping. These activities provide a mental escape from the complexities of our work lives and offer a sense of accomplishment through tangible results. Research suggests that manual work, particularly those involving repetitive motions, can induce a meditative state and promote relaxation.

Hobbies and Diversions: Igniting Passion and Curiosity 👩🏻‍🎨

Exploring hobbies and non-physical activities emerged as effective stress reduction techniques. Founders mentioned various activities like cooking, playing musical instruments, gaming, reading, painting, and learning new skills. Engaging in activities unrelated to work allows our minds to recharge and fosters creativity. These diversions stimulate different areas of the brain, promoting neural plasticity and overall well-being.

Sleep and Dopamine Detox: Recharge and Reset 😴

Sleep emerged as a vital component of self-care, with founders emphasizing the importance of both proper night sleep and power naps. Quality sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and stress resilience. Additionally, many founders mentioned the value of disconnecting from online platforms and indulging in dopamine detoxes to reduce digital overwhelm and promote mental clarity.

Social Connections: Nurturing Relationships and Seeking Support 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Founders recognized the power of social connections in combating stress. Building and investing in relationships, both with friends and family, emerged as a significant self-care strategy. Taking time to engage with loved ones outside of work offers emotional support and perspective. Seeking help through therapy, coaching, or simply talking out problems can provide fresh insights and alleviate the burden of stress. Talking to close people who don't understand the work founders do was mentioned as an especially valuable tactic.

Embracing Physical-Social Activities: Hugs and Intimacy 🫂

At the intersection of physical and social activities, the founders highlighted the stress-combating power of physical touch. Hugs and intimacy release oxytocin, a hormone known for its role in bonding and reducing stress. Embracing these activities can foster emotional connection and support overall well-being.

Psychological Strategies: Harnessing Mental Resilience 🧠

Founders shared an array of psychological strategies, including practicing stoicism, reframing challenges, rationalizing, prioritizing, and setting achievable goals. These techniques help shift our mindset and enable us to navigate stressful situations with resilience and clarity. Engaging in positive feedback loops, seeking the flow state, and even venting frustrations also emerged as valuable strategies to regain balance.

Time Management Tactics: Carving Out Space for Personal Life 🕰

Effective time management strategies play a crucial role in maintaining work-life balance. Founders mentioned taking dedicated days off, not working on weekends or evenings, setting short time blocks for personal tasks, postponing tasks when necessary, and even walking away from the laptop temporarily. These practices ensure that personal well-being remains a priority amidst the demands of entrepreneurship.

During the engaging discussion among founders, some great insights emerged. It turns out that many people tend to brush off daily stress until it becomes too overwhelming to handle. Instead of waiting for stress to pile up, the founders emphasized the importance of consistently practicing self-care activities. By doing so, we can build resilience and effectively tackle the challenges that come our way.

Now, the activities we discussed may seem pretty straightforward, but I thought it would be helpful to bring them all together in one place. Think of this compilation as a little reminder or a spark of inspiration. By making self-care a priority, you invest in your own well-being and set yourself up for success. So go ahead, embrace these practices, and lead with well-being as you unleash your full potential!