Stress and anxiety taking a toll on startup founders and business leaders; Heartfullness organises workshops for TiE members to help them sleep well
Here’s a wake-up call for entrepreneurs and startup founders and techies – you must sleep well. In a national survey, it was found that over 55 per cent of startup founders and business leaders are sleep deprived as stress and anxiety taking a toll of their sleep.
Over 80 per cent of them admitted that poor sleep is impacting their work performance and decision-making abilities.
“The relentless demands of long hours, high-pressure decision-making and financial uncertainties are driving stress and burnout, impacting productivity and overall well-being,” the survey conducted across New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad observed.
The survey, conducted by Heartfulness and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), covered 260 respondents, including over 200 entrepreneurs, startup founders and over 50 tech professionals.
“The sleep crisis is growing. Business leaders and startup founders are struggling with sleep.
The effects of sleep deprivation extend far beyond just feeling tired. Over 80 per cent of respondents surveyed admitted that poor sleep significantly impacts their job performance, concentration, and workplace relationships,” it said.
Consequences
The consequences are even more severe, with sleep deprivation impairing critical business functions like decision-making, creativity and resilience—traits essential for business success. Many entrepreneurs also reported frequent sleep disturbances, with 19 per cent rating their sleep quality as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’
More than 26 per cent of professionals are getting less than six hours of sleep per night, a problem that is even more pronounced among entrepreneurs.
Half of the respondents reported moderate to elevated levels of stress and anxiety, with business pressures, funding challenges and team management responsibilities contributing to elevated stress levels that make it difficult for entrepreneurs to unwind and achieve quality rest.
“Entrepreneurs and startup founders often sacrifice sleep in their pursuit of success, but this survey highlights the tangible impact of sleep deprivation on productivity, decision-making and overall performance,” Murali Bukkapatnam, Chair of the TiE Global Board of Trustees, said.
To address this challenge, TiE Global and Heartfulness have decided to organise sleep wellness workshops for the former’s members to help entrepreneurs restore balance and well-being.
The workshops, which will be organised virtually and physically, will introduce practical techniques, meditation practices and holistic well-being strategies designed to reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
The first workshop will be held on March 21, 2025, in virtual mode for TiE’s members globally
“These sessions will highlight the urgent need for professionals, especially entrepreneurs, to prioritise their sleep and mental health as part of a balanced and sustainable work-life approach,” he said.
