How to Avoid Burnout and Find a Healthy Work Life Balance When Starting a Business

by Startacus Admin

Entrepreneurs tend to be some of the most hardworking people out there - after all, that’s how they manage to build companies from the ground up, raise enough capital for exciting new projects, and manage growing teams of diverse people. But if you’re starting your own business, it's important to understand that when you’re spending too much time behind your desk, it can be easy to find yourself in a state of burnout, losing your valuable energy to stress and tiredness.

The good news is that taking a step back doesn’t mean your company is going to suffer - sometimes, taking a break can be just as useful for your business as working hard. And in your personal life, being dedicated to looking after yourself and putting your wellness first can make a big difference.

Get Enough Quality Sleep

It can be all too easy to fall into the trap of staying up working late - especially when your business is in the early days, but try not to get into this habit, no matter how tempting it might be to just put an extra couple of hours in at night to get something finished. Losing sleep one night will have a knock-on effect for the entire week, so it’s always better to prioritize your shut-eye and get enough quality sleep. If you struggle to sleep due to aching muscles after a long day at the office, then use the best mattress for back pain and/or consider posture issues that you could face sitting in an office 9-5. 

Get Out of Range

When pretty much your entire business can be accessed from your smartphone, it can be difficult to completely switch off from it - even if you’re taking a vacation. So, put some strategies in place to get yourself out of range and completely switch off from your company for a couple of days, whether that’s using a basic phone just to keep in touch with friends and family, or planning a trip like camping in the woods where you’re unlikely to get signal. If you have a strong team behind you, you can trust them to keep things running smoothly in your absence.

Maintain Your Balance

Many entrepreneurs go for the ‘all-or-nothing’ approach but, sadly, this could leave you feeling like you never do anything else except for work. Instead, put in the effort to make sure that there is some balance between work and fun every day, whether it’s an hour in the evening to spend catching up with your family, or meeting up with non-work friends for lunch.

Take Physical Care of Yourself

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind, so make sure that your physical health is a priority, too. You can often let regular workouts slide when you’re working long hours every day to get a startup idea off the ground, and eating healthily can take a back seat - you’ll be more tempted to order take-out to your desk so you can get things done. But while convenience can sometimes be a useful thing, try not to rely on it too heavily. Make time for regular exercise - even if it’s just a brisk walk - and try to have healthy food to hand.

Stay Committed to Your Hobbies

Don’t let the things that you enjoy doing slide. You might need to spend a little less time doing them if you want to commit some extra time to your business, but don’t completely forget about the things that you enjoy. Whether you enjoy playing sports, creating art, or watching movies, continue scheduling in some time to spend enjoying yourself.

Starting your own business can be a lot of hard work, so keep these strategies in place to get a good balance and avoid burnout.

Subscribe to our newsletter

If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.

• #work life balance
• #work-life

Published on: 20th January 2020