Business burnout is more common than many entrepreneurs might think. They start their business with such high hopes, but soon start to feel overwhelmed by everything it takes to run a successful company. There are always new marketing methods, new products and services to create and offer. They are aware of the need to try to manage some work-life balance but never seem to get it right.
Is it possible to recover from business burnout? The answer is yes! Here are some suggestions that can help.
1. Recognize You Are Burned Out
This can be tough for some people to admit. They will keep on pushing themselves to the limit even though they are getting more and more exhausted and their personal life disintegrates. Admitting you have a problem is often one of the best ways to start solving it. You can recognize burnout by feelings of exhaustion that never seem to go away, a sense that you have to keep pushing harder and harder, even though you don’t see how you could work any harder- as well as depression and/or irritability.
2. Understand That There Are No Easy Fixes
It’s taken a while to get so burned out, so the road back to a more normal, balanced life will take time and effort. The longer you’ve been burned out, the longer it will take to recover.
3. Start to Delegate
To ease the burden of burnout, start to delegate. Make a list of all the essential tasks that need to be done in your business.
Then decide which absolutely must be done by you, and which can be handed over to a virtual assistant- things that need to get done but can be done by other people. You can use freelancing services to try to find some reliable people who can help. Once you let go of a few tasks, work on letting go of the next set, and the set after that, and so on.
4. Make Rest a Priority
Try to get plenty of rest, especially enough sleep at night. Chances are you’ve been experiencing sleep disruptions, which can lead to insomnia and a sleep deficit. Sleep deprivation of even just one lost hour, such as when we switch over to daylight savings time, is actually the cause of a significant number of accidents every year, so don’t skimp on sleep.
5. Eat Right
Aim for high quality protein and avoid simple carbohydrates such as white bread, cake, cookies and so on. They have no nutritional value, and can spike blood sugar and leave you with peaks of energy and chasms of exhaustion and hunger even though you just had a sugary donut an hour before.
6. Exercise 30 Minutes a Day
Exercise actually gives you energy, and improves mental health as well as physical. You may feel totally exhausted, but you can still probably manage three 10-minute sessions, which have been shown to be just as effective as one sustained workout. Try to incorporate stretching and breathing exercises to make sure your body is flexible and well oxygenated.
7. Spend Time with Friends and Family
It is important to always have a support network you can turn to when times are tough. Make sure you are honest about how things are going and how burned out you feel. Don’t feel afraid to ask for help if you need it. Most people will be happy to lend a hand.
8. Take Time Off Regularly
Avoid working long days and at the weekends. Set vacation days for yourself and take them. Take a mental health day and do something you really enjoy, or go somewhere different in order to get a change of scenery.
None of these are quick fixes, but by making these changes, you will begin the recovery from burnout.
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