Burnout can be dangerous for you and your business; learn how to recognize it and move into a healthier state.

Labor Day is upon us and one thing is certain—you’ve been working a lot. And if you’re like many entrepreneurs, you could be at risk for burnout, which can be dangerous for you and your business.

How burnout shows up

If you’ve lost passion for your business, you may be suffering from burnout. Burnout can show up as irritability, mental fog, fatigue and even weight gain. The stress that comes with burnout also affects your immune system; you may find yourself getting sick frequently. All this can affect personal and business relationships, creating another layer of stress.

Overcoming burnout

Pay attention to your body’s signals when you’re feeling tired or run down. You already know the remedy—but it’s easy to lose sight of getting rest and eating nutritious food when you’re overwhelmed with deadlines, accounts receivable, managing employees and more.

Take time to disconnect from work to take care of yourself. Travis Bradberry, author of the book Emotional Intelligence, suggests that if you must truly handle emails and calls after hours, limit them to scheduled times on weekdays and weekends. Then use the rest of your time away from work to recharge by connecting with friends and family and doing activities you love.

During the workday, schedule breaks. Bradberry says we work best in spurts that last one to one-and-a-half hours followed by 15-minute breaks. He cautions that if you wait to take break until you’re tired, you’ve missed the window of peak productivity.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be tempting to hunker down and withdraw. Bradberry advises that you resist this urge. Instead reach out to family and friends who care about you. Text, call or schedule one-on-one time. They’ll help you get back on track and into a positive frame of mind.

When you get past an episode of burnout prevent another one by keeping your life balanced between doing well and living well.

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