Being an entrepreneur can be very stressful, especially when you start off as a solopreneur, juggling everything on your own! Burnout is a very real and serious problem that many entrepreneurs face.

More often than not, we pour everything we have into our business until we’re completely drained and exhausted. But this is an extremely dangerous method of operating that can be detrimental for our long-term health.

I’m a strong believer that business success and personal well-being are two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other! Taking steps to care for yourself and avoid burnout is the most sustainable approach to entrepreneurship.

Here are my 3 tried and tested tips to avoid burnout:

• Join a class. It could be anything – dance, improv, cooking, art, pottery, or even floral arrangement classes. It could be a class for something you enjoy or something you’ve been meaning to try for a while now. Join a class in your neighborhood and for an hour or so, focus on something other than your business. Meet new people, learn new skills, and channel your creative energy. This can be an outlet for your stress, a place for you to break a sweat, enjoy yourself and recharge.

• Meet up with your friends regularly. Sometimes, being an entrepreneur, especially a solopreneur, can feel very isolating. Before you know it, you start to feel alone with the weight of the world on your shoulders. Don’t let that happen to you! You are never alone. Don’t forget that you have loved ones that you can lean on. Once a week or every other week, meet up with your friends and catch up. Spending time with people who love, support and lift you up can make all the difference!

• Unplug. For at least 30 minutes a day, put all your devices aside. Take this time to go for a walk, read a good book, or enjoy a bubble bath. It’s easy to get caught up with work when your phone’s constantly buzzing by your side. At first, putting your phone in the next room and walking away may be anxiety-inducing. But over time, you’ll get used to it and you’ll even start to crave those moments when you get to unplug and enjoy small pleasures undisturbed.

Remember, taking care of yourself should always be a priority!

Let’s soar,

TW