Startups can be really emotionally stressful, no matter how well you are doing. Even today, with a track record of success, I get stressed out. Here is a list of things I do to stay mentally grounded:
1) When stressed out, go for a walk outside
2) Meditate for 10 minutes in the afternoon
Ok I totally got distracted by real work and fell off yesterday. Here's the rest.
3) You need to maintain perspective, at a macro level and a micro level. On the micro level side, I try to remember that almost every single thing I am worried about today won't even be remembered in a year (or will be remembered fondly as a "thank god I got through that!")
4) On the macro level, I have a bracelet I never take off that says EITHER WAY: succeed or fail, either way life continues (and generally improves). Helps as a constant visual reminder to put things in context.
5) You should have 1-3 close external relationships who are founders, understand the context, and you can be completely transparent with. Skip the "I'm crushing it!" bullshit with these people, and be able to vent, and get real feedback. It will be cathartic.
6) Therapy! Helped me a lot in previous startups.
7) I have a latent level of anxiety and guilt (about not doing enough, being right enough, working hard enough, etc). When I notice these negative emotions, I try to just observe them, and be ok with them. Don't need to change anything. The act of observation is enough.
8) Take an occasional break for 2-4 days. Leave your phone and your computer off.
9) When things get really tough, remember: you wanted to do this for a reason! That reason almost certainly still exists.
10) I ask myself: if I went back in time to when I started the company, and told myself we would be where we are at today, would I be happy with that result or not? The answer is almost always yes.
11) Good founders almost always move the goalposts for themselves. That's ok -- it's how you end up building something beyond your wildest initial expectations. But you should be aware of it, and some times taking a step back to get context helps.
12) To all the founders out there: good luck! If you really give a shit, it never gets easier :)
Forgot: 13) fitness is the first step to greatness. I regularly exercise at least 3x / week, aerobic and anaerobic
