13 Ways the Busiest People Ever Avoid Burnout

I think most entrepreneurs will tell you it's impossible to unplug—so burnout is almost inevitable. However, it's important to know when you're close to or at a burnout stage. Something as simple as taking a day off, going for a bike ride, or having a fun night out with friends can help to take the edge off.

—Pablo Palatnik, ShadesDaddy.com

Our business works to fill our people's day with what they love. When work feels like a job, we redirect those tasks to someone who loves them. Not a great organizer? We have a team member who is. Hate numbers? We've got someone who loves them. We are fueled with so much joy that we have a term around the company called the 'joy hangover.' When work is such a blast, burnout doesn't exist. 

—Corey Blake, Round Table Companies

Schedule free time on your calendar, just like you would schedule a meeting, and stick to it. It's crucial to take the time you need for yourself, even if it's just 30 minutes a day. You'll get back to work feeling recharged and inspired, and chances are, you'll accomplish a lot more than you would if you worked straight through the day.

—Evrim Oralkan, Travertine Mart

Starting a business is a time-consuming endeavor that doesn't end once things start to take off. On the contrary, the more successful you are, the more time you will be asked to contribute toward your enterprise. That’s why it’s important you focus your time and energy on doing something you enjoy and are passionate about.

—Lane Campbell, Syntress

Naps are not just for children. Instead of having a second cup of coffee, sleep for 20 minutes. It's the best way to refresh the brain.

—Jonathan Swerdlin, Fdbk

When I feel so mentally burnt out from juggling multiple projects, there's only one thing that can recharge my brain and my enthusiasm—working out. It's a way to unplug and just focus on the task in front of me, whether I go for a long run or a four-hour bike ride around my city. When I'm done, I have a high so powerful that all of the stress from my day-to-day activities is gone.

—Andrew Vest, Preferling

Personally, I find the best way to avoid burnout is to have an ongoing focus on mindfulness rather than only when on breaks and vacations. Find ways to detach during the week in a way that works for you. Yoga and exercise work for some, while meditation works for others. Be mindful of those moments. Try to take consistent mini-breaks throughout the week to detach and re-center.

—Andrew Thomas, SkyBell Technologies, Inc.

The best way to avoid burnout is to find a hobby you can deeply immerse yourself in for a few hours a week. I play ultimate frisbee, and when I'm on the field, I'm definitely not thinking about my company. Hobbies (such as basketball, ceramics, and climbing) can provide a therapeutic release, and you can come to work recharged and ready to go every day!

—Bhavin Parikh, Magoosh, Inc.

I used to think vacations would recharge me, but I would just come back to piles of work. In the last year, we've built our team to eight people. The quantity doesn't matter—the key is that it's a strong team. I know that whether I'm working or not, great things are being done. Feeling the support from all sides has been critical to my personal happiness.

—Aaron Schwartz, Modify Watches

Even if it's just for 10 minutes, spending the time (especially in the early afternoon) to just breathe has been extraordinarily powerful for me. It keeps me fresh and sharp, and taking self-care seriously sets a great example for the rest of the team.

—Derek Flanzraich, Greatist