Are you the proud owner of a startup? Do you get excited about each new day?
Even though you’re always looking forward to the future, it doesn’t mean that burnout will never enter your mind.
Every entrepreneur knows the feeling. You reach a point when you just can’t go on. Your body is telling you to stop, your mind is playing tricks, and you realize that a change is necessary if you’re going to reach all your long term goals.
The best way to treat burnout is to avoid this in the first place.
Here are 10 ways to avoid burnout as a startup founder:
1. Take a Vacation
You may not be the type of person who spends much time out of the office, but there are places you can go to relax.
Even a weekend getaway can go a long way in clearing your mind and giving you a fresh start.
2. Take Breaks
Nobody ever said you have to go, go, go from the moment you wake up.
You want to get a lot of work done, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your body along the way. Take breaks as necessary, as this has a way of clearing your mind and giving your body time to recover.
3. Get a Good Nap
Did you know that a nap of only 20 minutes can improve your productivity, mood, and alertness?
You may not want to pull yourself away from your work, but there are many benefits of doing so. You don’t have to nap for a couple hours. Twenty to thirty minutes will do the trick.
4. Stay Active
Startup founders often become so busy that they forget to exercise. You don’t want to go down this path, as it can have a negative impact on your health.
You need to stay active at all times, even if it’s cold outside and you want nothing more than to huddle up in your warm office.
5. Eat Right
Entirely too many people, startup founders included, don’t know what it means to eat right.
If you’re skipping breakfast, for instance, you’re in the same boat as more than 30 million other Americans. But this doesn’t make it right.
Implement and stick with a healthy diet that will have you feeling your best at all times.
6. Know Your Limit
There is no denying the fact that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can help you reach all your goals. At the same time, if you go beyond your limit too often it can negatively impact your health.
You need to know and respect your limit.
7. Get Help
Startup founders are notorious for wanting to have their hands on all the action. It’s okay to take this approach at first, but at some point you’ll need help.
If you don’t want to hire employees, you can always turn to the freelance marketplace. With freelancers making up more than 34 percent of the U.S. workforce, there are plenty of qualified individuals looking for work.
8. Change Your Environment
If you spend 10+ hours a day in the same office, there will come a point when you need a change.
Don’t hesitate to change your environment, even if only for a couple hours. This can do wonders for your mental health, while also boosting your productivity.
9. Find a Hobby
Did you know that most people have made hobby related purchases?
If you don’t have something you enjoy doing outside of work, now is the time to change this.
A hobby will give you something to look forward to when you leave the office. It will also give your mind something else to focus on.
From flying kites to knitting, there are many hobbies to take up.
10. Meditation
With eight percent of U.S. adults using meditation, it’s easy to see that this is popular among millions of people.
Startup founders can benefit from regular meditation sessions, as this gives them time to clear their mind and focus on what’s most important to them.
You can meditate morning, noon, and/or night. Just make sure you find time to do so.
Conclusion
You can take these 10 steps to avoid burnout as a startup founder. By doing so, you’ll find it much easier to stay on track as you pursue your many goals.
Have you ever dealt with burnout as a startup founder? What approach did you take to get back on track? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.