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How To Deal With App Entrepreneur Stress

Table of Contents

  • What Is App Entrepreneur Stress?
  • 10 Ways To Manage App Entrepreneur Stress
    • #1. Accept And Become Aware Of The Stress
    • #2. Take A Break
    • #3. Burn Calories
    • #4. Don’t Overcommit
    • #5. Organize Your Big Ideas Into Smaller Tasks
    • #6. Delegate What You Can
    • #7. Create An “I’ve Done” list
    • #8. Find An Engaging Hobby
    • #9. Stay Positive
    • #10. Link Up With Like-Minded Entrepreneurs
  • 5 Wellness Apps To Help You Deal With App Entrepreneur Stress
    • #1. Sleep Cycle
    • #2. MindDoc
    • #3. Muse
    • #4: Wysa
    • #5: Shine
  • Key Takeaways

Yes, app entrepreneur stress is real. And it’s far more serious than you might presume.

Think about it. App entrepreneurs have the most difficult roles in the app development and maintenance chain.

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For starters, they operate for long hours in high uncertainty. Plus, they are more or less responsible for everything, as the buck ultimately stops with them. You’ll see them making decisions related to not only mobile app development but also app marketing, app maintenance, finance, procurement, talent acquisition, etc.

As a matter of fact, data published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) shows that 72% of entrepreneurs (including the ones in the mobile app industry) are directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues. That’s a stark contrast compared to the corresponding 48% rate reported on the side of non-entrepreneurs.

And that’s not all. A separate Canadian study established that 62% of business owners feel depressed at least once a week – which is quite relatable in the mobile app industry, since creating and managing an app can be a harrowing process.

On a bright note, though, at least this type of stress is very manageable. And to help you with that, we’ll be taking a step back from our usual mobile app marketing guides to explain:

  • How you can identify app entrepreneur stress.
  • Effective strategies for dealing with app entrepreneur stress.
  • The importance of rest, exercise, mindfulness, and meditation in alleviating app entrepreneur stress.
  • Simple mobile apps that you could use to relieve stress.

Low to moderate levels of stress can lead to higher levels of productivity. Stress without relief, however, can cause a self-fulfilling cycle, in which the initial stress causes more stress and exacerbates the difficult process of app development.

So, step away from the screenshots. It’s time to unwind with these tips to a newer, brighter, and healthier you.

But, before we dive into that, what exactly is app entrepreneur stress?

What Is App Entrepreneur Stress?

Stress, to begin with, is the body’s natural response to pressure. When things start getting tough, your body reacts by releasing a hormone called Cortisol – which, in turn, increases your stress levels.

You can recognize it as that feeling of anxiety or frustration after a challenging day at work. Perhaps you’ve taken on too much work, or maybe you’ve come across a worrying business situation that you have little control over.

App Entrepreneur Stress
App Entrepreneur Stress. Source: Unsplash

According to scientific evidence, entrepreneurs are particularly at risk of experiencing stress because of the burnout, uncertainty, and social isolation that comes with the job. As an app entrepreneur, for instance, you’ll probably spend countless hours in the workplace obsessing about your app development process, its position on the App Store, and what the future holds.

Such feelings, if not managed, could be detrimental over the long haul. The stress typically starts as burnout, then it develops into chronic anxiety, and possibly even insomnia or depression.

Interestingly, however, it’s worth noting that while stress is known to reduce productivity, it happens to have an invigorating effect on some people. A survey conducted by Everyday Health on 6,700 U.S. respondents revealed that 57% of people are paralyzed by stress, while 43% reported that stress has an invigorating effect on their minds.

10 Ways To Manage App Entrepreneur Stress

#1. Accept And Become Aware of The Stress

The first step to managing stress in your business is recognizing the problem. You need to know how to take notice and when to respond accordingly.

As such, it’s critically important to understand how your body and mind react to different forms of stress. For instance – if you’re the type that feels extremely anxious and panicky when under pressure, you ought to be able to recognize when the anxiety is gradually building up so you can counter it effectively.

Accepting and acknowledging a stressful situation leads to awareness, which then allows you to come up with actionable tasks to manage it. In other words, you get to take appropriate actions based on your specific needs and circumstances.

Some instances, for example, require just a simple walk around the block or business premises – while on other occasions, you might want to take some time off work for meditation.

The key thing here is accepting that stress is part of the app business journey, and learning how to become aware of stressful situations.

#2. Take A Break

Take walks for the fresh air, read a comic book, or even take to Netflix to watch an episode of your favorite show – whatever rocks your boat.

With a rush of endorphins and a stronger body, you will feel better about yourself, as well as about the work you are doing.

Remember – too much stress spells disaster for everyone involved. If you haven’t taken time to relax, exhaustion and frustration will show in your decreased levels of productivity and in how you interact with other people.

“Burnout syndrome” is a term that encompasses all the nasty sides of an excess of stress—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and loss of professional efficacy.

According to a study published by Statista, 35% of employees in North America reported losing one hour or more per day in productivity due to stress. Taking a break every once in a while prevents you from experiencing such burnout and working inefficiently.

Loss in Productivity Due to Stress
Loss in Productivity Due to Stress. Source: Statista

So, don’t be afraid to get away from your phone and computer. It can be rough to sit there and think about all the important calls, emails, and texts you might be missing, but just a few minutes off won’t hurt. You can go ahead and get rid of that immediate need to respond.

#3. Burn Calories

As you take breaks, you might want to sweat it out every once in a while. Successful entrepreneurs (even in the mobile app industry) are aware that high-intensity physical exercises always go a long way towards alleviating stress in the workplace.

A brief cardio session, for instance, can be a great pick-me-up that will get your endorphins pumping. Scientific research has proven that such aerobic exercises are effective in not only decreasing stress levels and tension but also improving self-esteem and sleep, as well as elevating and stabilizing your moods.

And no – in case you’re wondering, you don’t really have to set up a strict workout schedule with long hours in the gym. You can leave that to athletes. As a mobile app developer or entrepreneur, you just need to dedicate a few minutes every now and then.

As a matter of fact, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 10-minute workout sessions are just as effective as longer duration workouts – as long as they add up to 150 minutes of physical activity every week. That applies to everyone in the age bracket of 18-64, including both male and female entrepreneurs.

Physical Activity Guidelines
Physical Activity Guidelines. Source: CDC

#4. Don’t Overcommit

Keep track of your daily schedule. For app developers, it’s common sense to say “yes” to any available opportunity for business progress and app exposure, but sometimes it is beneficial to say “no.”  The more you overload, the more stressed you will be.

Think about your options strategically and pick them so that you have time to unwind. Before you go to bed, make a to-do list for the next day. This will not only increase your productivity, but will give you a general idea of how much you need to do, and whether you have time to handle more.

Keeping your schedule from being too packed helps with getting enough sleep, too.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is one example of a workaholic who values a good night of sleep. “I’m more alert and I think more clearly…” Bezos claims. “I just feel so much better all day long if I’ve had eight hours of sleep.”

#5. Organize Your Big Ideas Into Smaller Tasks

It’s common for an entrepreneur to get caught up in all sorts of business dreams and ambitions. More often than not, you might find yourself deep in thought about the huge prospects of your mobile app, plus the future growth of the business.

Well, all these are laudable dreams. But, the problem is, dreaming can be a source of stress because achieving them often seems like a very daunting task.

Now, to avoid getting worked up, you might want to break down all the big ideas into small achievable tasks. You’ll then have a much easier time following up on the individual steps, as opposed to chasing the big dreams.

#6. Delegate What You Can

It might be hard to accept this, but the truth of the matter is, you can’t really do everything pertaining to your mobile app. And yes, that applies even to small businesses.

You see, trying to micromanage every aspect of your mobile app business will only wear you out with stress. The app development process itself is extremely rigorous, and so is testing, marketing, customer care, and maintenance.

To avoid spreading yourself too thin, you should seek help from reputable professionals at each stage. If you’re not looking to hire an in-house team, you could try outsourcing to third-party agencies and freelance contractors.

Whichever you choose, you can go ahead and delegate all the tasks that you can, particularly the time-consuming ones that don’t need your direct input. A virtual assistant might also come in handy, as they’ll be able to follow up on the smaller tasks on your behalf – like scheduling appointments, replying to emails, responding to social media comments, etc.

Consequently, you’ll have the time and energy to attend to the most critical stuff. You get to focus on the stuff that demands your full attention while your team handles the rest of the tasks.

#7. Create An “I’ve Done” list

One popular productivity tip involves creating an accountability chart. You can track your own progress for a certain time range, say, 90 minutes of hard work, by writing down what you’ve accomplished in that period.

This list of accomplishments provides visual reinforcement to show that you’ve been productive, which can take away from the stress of feeling like your company hasn’t been moving forward.

If you’re still not satisfied, then the “I’ve Done” list can be an indicator of some needed change in your plan of action.

#8. Find An Engaging Hobby

There’s no doubt that you’re very passionate about your business. But, let’s face it – app development is not exactly what you’d consider as a hobby.

You should find yourself a fun activity that gets your mind off the business. Take a break every now and then to do something that you really love.

It could be a game of chess, or maybe traveling and picnics. While they might seem counter-intuitive, engaging in such non-work-related hobbies could actually help you perform better at work.

Leisure Time Hobbies
Leisure Time Hobbies. Source: Unsplash

According to research conducted by a health psychologist at the University of California, leisure activities provide immediate stress relief – which, in turn, improves focus, reduces depression, and leads to a longer, happier life.

#9. Stay Positive

Even if your work is strife with disappointment, you’re drowning in credit card debt, and your day has been full of arguments and doomed proposals, it’s important to keep a positive attitude about your potential for success.

Success reinforces the do’s, but the don’ts will have to come from your own adaptation to your own failures. The faster you push through your failures, the sooner you can improve on your company’s services or start the next big idea.

Focus your energy on the target items under your direct control – that is, don’t get caught up in what you can’t change.

If you suffer from app development stress, think positively and take some time out for your own well-being: the rest will follow.

#10. Link Up With Like-Minded Entrepreneurs

Remember – you’re not alone in this journey. There are many other like-minded app entrepreneurs out there who’ve gone through the same struggles and challenges as you.

The iOS App Store alone has more than 20 million registered developers. You can connect with them through iOS development forums, tech expos, business conferences, social media, etc.

Then when you finally join their ranks, you can go ahead and share your problems with business leaders you can relate to. They’ll not only empathize with you but also provide guidance and feedback that you could use to resolve issues and improve the app business.

If you can, you should also look for an experienced mentor who has had a great run in the mobile app industry. They’ll help you put things into perspective when you experience stress and frustrations.

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5 Wellness Apps To Help You Deal With App Entrepreneur Stress

As it turns out, you could also manage your stress through mobile apps. Here are five that have proven to be exceptionally handy to app entrepreneurs:

  • Sleep Cycle
  • MindDoc
  • Muse
  • Wysa
  • Shine

#1. Sleep Cycle

Just as its name suggests, Sleep Cycle is a specialized mobile app that seeks to help you regulate your sleep-wake cycle. It essentially combines motion detection and sound analysis to assess your sleeping patterns and then proceeds to wake you up after you’ve had sufficient rest.

You see, the typical sleep-wake cycle consists of five sleep stages. Sleep Cycle is capable of recognizing them by tracking not only your movements in bed but also the sounds that you make while asleep. Ultimately, it detects and gently wakes you up when you finally get to your lightest sleep phase – which is usually an indication that you’ve had adequate natural rest.

Such a well-regulated sleep-wake cycle is extremely important to app entrepreneurs, as it helps them rest when they need to and work when their energy levels are optimal. That means you’ll be able to think with a fresh mind and maintain favorable productivity levels – which translates to reduced stress.

The app itself is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store – meaning it can be used by both iOS and Android users.

#2. MindDoc

MindDoc, on the other hand, is a mental health monitoring and self-management app. It was developed by clinical psychologists and mental health researchers to help individuals manage their emotional well-being. You can use it for self-help – to cope with issues such as stress, insomnia, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc – or as part of treatment with a mental health practitioner.

One thing you’ll love about this app is its ability to monitor, track, and communicate symptoms of depression or anxiety.

For example – if you feel that you’re having trouble managing your stress levels, you can go ahead and answer brief questions on the app every day for a period of about two weeks. At the end of the 14 days, the app will generate a summary of your state of health, which you could then share with your healthcare provider for appropriate medical treatment.

And speaking of which, your psychologist should also have an easy time working with MindDoc, as its processes have been developed in line with international treatment guidelines.

Don’t get me wrong, though. MindDoc wasn’t built just for people with mental disorders. You can, instead, use it to track your mental health when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

And yes – it’s accessible on both the App Store and Play Store.

#3. Muse

If you’re the type that fancies using meditation to cope with app entrepreneur stress, then you might want to try out the Muse meditation app. It’ll track your entire meditation and provide real-time feedback to calm your mind.

How does it achieve that?

Well, the app could be used alone or in conjunction with headband sensors – which are placed on the forehead and behind the ears. Once you start meditating, Muse keeps tabs on your brain activity and then communicates the state of your mind using expressive weather sounds.

For instance, if your mind is calm, you’ll hear the sounds of calm weather, while a busy mind is expressed in the form of stormy weather.

The app additionally plays relaxing music to assist you through the whole process. Then at the end of each guided meditation session, you get a report of your brain activity in the form of a graph.

Sounds interesting? You can go ahead and download the Muse app from the iOS App Store or Android Play Store.

#4. Wysa

Wysa is an AI-driven health and wellness app that serves as a mindfulness coach, mood tracker, stress reliever, and mood booster. At the center of all that is a chatbot, which is engineered to answer all your health-related queries in a friendly way.

Now, to be more specific, Wysa offers its users two options – you could either use it for self-care or therapy.

If you choose therapy, for instance, the interactive chatbot will help you overcome app entrepreneur stress through empathetic conversations and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based techniques.

The chatbot is intelligent enough to react accordingly to the feelings that you express. It will guide you through coping with any mental health issues in a fun and conversational way.

But, get this – Wysa doesn’t stop there. While the chatbot itself is pretty helpful, the app allows you to escalate your case to a human psychologist.

Otherwise, when it comes to self-care, Wysa is great for conducting mental health assessments and anxiety tests. You also get to track your mood and happiness levels, as well as perform guided meditation to relax your body and mind.

If you’d like to give it a try, the Wysa app is available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

#5. Shine

Last but not least is Shine, which is yet another dynamic meditation app. Once you download it, you’ll get access to daily motivational messages, self-improvement challenges, plus a wide range of helpful mental health guides that cover topics such as managing stress, productivity, and mindfulness.

The whole point of this mobile app is to give you a self-care ritual on a daily basis, which will help you alleviate stress through reflection, connection, and meditation.

If you’d like to get the best out of the app, though, you should consider upgrading your membership to Shine Premium. That’ll grant you direct access to, among other features, an exclusive library of meditation guides prepared by various experts.

The app itself can be found on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

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Key Takeaways

To recap what we’ve we’ve just covered:

  • 72% of entrepreneurs (including the ones in the mobile app industry) are directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues. A stark contrast compared to the corresponding 48% rate reported on the side of non-entrepreneurs.
  • 62% of business owners feel depressed at least once a week.
  • Low to moderate levels of stress can lead to higher levels of productivity. Stress without relief, however, can cause a self-fulfilling cycle, in which the initial stress causes more stress and exacerbates the difficult process of app development.
  • According to scientific evidence, entrepreneurs are particularly at risk of experiencing stress because of the burnout, uncertainty, and social isolation that comes with the job.
  • A survey conducted by Everyday Health on 6,700 U.S. respondents revealed that 57% of people are paralyzed by stress, while 43% reported that stress has an invigorating effect on their minds.
  • The first step to managing stress in your business is recognizing the problem. You need to know how to take notice and when to respond accordingly – based on your specific needs and circumstances.
  • “Burnout syndrome” is a term that encompasses all the nasty sides of an excess of stress—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and loss of professional efficacy.
  • 35% of employees in North America reported losing one hour or more per day in productivity due to stress.
  • Scientific research has proven that such aerobic exercises are effective in not only decreasing stress levels and tension but also improving self-esteem and sleep, as well as elevating and stabilizing your moods.
  • The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 10-minute workout sessions are just as effective as longer duration workouts – as long as they add up to 150 minutes of physical activity every week.
  • Before you go to bed, make a to-do list for the next day. This will not only increase your productivity, but will give you a general idea of how much you need to do, and whether you have time to handle more.
  • You might want to break down all the big ideas into small achievable tasks. You’ll then have a much easier time following up on the individual steps, as opposed to chasing the big dreams.
  • You can go ahead and delegate all the tasks that you can, particularly the time-consuming ones that don’t need your direct input. You’ll then have the time and energy to attend to the most critical stuff.
  • Create an accountability chart that tracks your own work progress for a certain time range, by writing down what you’ve accomplished in that period.
  • According to research conducted by a health psychologist at the University of California, leisure activities provide immediate stress relief – which, in turn, improves focus, reduces depression, and leads to a longer, happier life.
  • Focus your energy on the target items under your direct control – that is, don’t get caught up in what you can’t change.
  • The iOS App Store alone has more than 20 million registered developers. You can connect with them through iOS development forums, tech expos, business conferences, social media, etc.
  • Sleep Cycle essentially combines motion detection and sound analysis to assess your sleeping patterns and then proceeds to wake you up after you’ve had sufficient rest.
  • MindDoc is a mental health monitoring and self-management app. You can use it for self-help – to cope with issues such as stress, insomnia, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc – or as part of treatment with a mental health practitioner.
  • Muse keeps tabs on your brain activity, and then communicates the state of your mind using expressive weather sounds.
  • Wysa is an AI-driven health and wellness app that serves as a mindfulness coach, mood tracker, stress reliever, and mood booster – with the help of an interactive chatbot.
  • Shine offers access to daily motivational messages, self-improvement challenges, plus a wide range of helpful mental health guides that cover topics such as managing stress, productivity, and mindfulness.

Conclusion

Based on everything we’ve covered here, we can conclude that while app entrepreneur stress is inevitable, the good thing is, it can be effectively managed. Just pick the tools and techniques that work for you, and you’ll be able to cope with the challenges as they come.

In the meantime, don’t let mobile app marketing develop into one of the problems. You can keep running the business while we plan, set up, and execute effective app promotion strategies – from pre-launch marketing through to post-launch marketing.

To get started, feel free to get in touch with us today. We are excitedly waiting to hear all about your business and its app growth goals.

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Sean Casto
Posted By

Sean Casto

I am the founder and CEO of PreApps.com, the leading mobile marketing and discovery platform. I have been a guest speaker at industry conventions for Microsoft and Samsung and lectured at Universities such as Northeastern and Harvard. I have acquired a deep understanding of the struggles developers face and a passion to serve the growing mobile app community.

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