What to do if you're burnt out as an entrepreneur

Owning a business is exciting. But, it also comes with other not-so-exciting things, like the dreaded burnout (aka, exhaustion). And if you're not careful, burnout can kill your business. If you're starting to feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do to get you back on track, I'm here to help with some tips I've learned along the way.

6 ways to escape burnout

As an entrepreneur, it can be easy to burn out quickly. After all, you wear many hats and (if you're like me) are constantly on the go.

So how do you know if you're burned? Some signs of exhaustion include low energy, lack of motivation, and irritability. You may also feel a little (or a lot) stressed or overwhelmed.

These feelings are normal, especially for busy entrepreneurs. But the good news is that you can escape. How, you ask? By following the six tips and tricks below.

1. Identify the causes

If you want to end burnout, you must first identify exactly what is causing it. Otherwise, you'll end up going in circles and burning out again (yikes).

Ask yourself a few questions, like "How's my schedule?" and "When do I feel the most stressed or overwhelmed?" Asking yourself these types of questions can help you figure out what is extinguishing your productive flame.

Some common causes of burnout include:

Don't take a break Work day and night Doesn't sleep well Take on too many tasks Not having a healthy work-life balance

Once you've identified the causes of your burnout, you can nip them in the bud by trying out some relaxation techniques (like the ones in this article!).

2. Find time for yourself

Finding “me time” as an entrepreneur can be easier said than done. But if you want to escape burnout, sometimes you have to put yourself forward.

To say goodbye to burnout, find time for yourself. This could include:

Do your favorite hobbies Spend time with friends and family Take a well-deserved vacation Take a night off (it won't kill you or your business, I promise!)

The more ways you find work-life balance, the better off your business will be. You will be happier, more productive and less stressed. And in turn, your business will be more successful (talk about a win-win).

3. Put your exhaustion to rest

How much sleep do you get per night? Eight hours? Five hours? Less than four? Believe it or not, the amount of sleep you get can contribute to your burnout. The solution? Put your exhaustion to rest by, well, resting.

Improving productivity and ditching burnout could be as simple as getting a few extra Zs every night. According to one study, people who sleep five hours suffer 29% more lost productivity.

To sleep better, you can:

Stick to a sleep routine and schedule Move devices away when...