Avoid the Burnout Trap: Balance Your Work Life

Launching a start-up can be both exciting and exhausting in equal measures – but sometimes the long hours, heavy work load and uncertainty of it all can cause us to burnout, manifesting as physical and mental exhaustion, including chronic migraines.

Here, Dr Giuseppe Aragona, GP and online doctor for Prescription Doctor reveals his tips for preventing burnout when launching a new business venture.

1. Set Work-Life Boundaries

As an entrepreneur, it’s tempting to work non-stop to achieve your goals. However, this can quickly lead to burnout. This is your business and your passion, so of course you’re going to want to work on it as much as possible. However, this is one of the main ways you will cause yourself to burnout and it will be counterproductive. Make sure you create a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout.

Set yourself boundaries, ensuring you don’t work past 9pm at night or before 8am in the morning. Ensure you allow time for yourself to think and have a time out from the work, this will also help to keep the creative juices flowing. Going for a walk or getting outside will help. What will also benefit your mind is our recent article titled 5 Proven Mindsets That Will Skyrocket Your Business AND Your Body. It’s definitely worth a read!

2. Establish a Routine

In a normal job you have a routine; in a 9-5 those hours are for working, and the evenings and weekends are for yourself. This should be the same for your start up.

Ensure you get into a good routine of having at least 7/8 hours sleep a night, have a good breakfast, and start work at 9. Take an hour’s lunch break and make sure you take time away from your screen. Whether that be getting out of the office/house or making yourself a nice lunch, anti-screen time is extremely beneficial for your mental health.

Ensure you switch off in the evenings and spend these precious hours unwinding with an engrossing TV show or something that will completely take you away from work. A consistent routine can combat stress and improve mental health.

3. Prioritise Regular Breaks

Short breaks throughout the day can boost productivity and prevent overwhelm. It will allow you to breathe, stay calm, and prevent you feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Taking an hour lunch break as well as regular 10-minute breaks throughout the day is crucial. This will ensure you don’t feel too consumed by the work.

4. Delegate Tasks

Hiring help can reduce your workload and prevent burnout. There is no shame in hiring help for your business – perhaps ask a friend if they can help you with some admin bits? Or if you really do feel you need help, why not hire someone to take the load off. You may lose a bit of money through paying them, but your health and wellbeing takes priority.

5. Nourish Your Body

Whilst working it’s super important to ensure you are keeping yourself well hydrated and drinking regularly throughout the day. Try to keep a bottle near you, so you can keep drinking and filling it up regularly.

Eating healthily should also be a priority. Eating lots of fresh fruit and veg will not only keep you feeling great, but should boost brain power to ensure you are working to the best of your ability. Remember, proper hydration and nutrition support overall well-being.

6. Unplug and Recharge

The most important thing of all when running a business or launching a start-up is ensuring you take time for yourself away from your work. You must dedicate time for self-care and relaxation. Whether that’s exercise, meeting a friend for lunch, going to a spa, or shopping. Having your weekends for you and away from the laptop will help you to feel sane! You will feel refreshed come Monday, as you’ve had a good two day break away from it all.

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