⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

4 Gifts to Give Yourself Before the Holiday Season Entrepreneurs are infamous for burnout. Step outside your day-to-day and recharge in an unexpected way.

By Pratik Dholakiya

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Hero Images | Getty Images

Being an entrepreneur ranks among the toughest jobs in the world. It isn't a carefree existence centered on being your own boss and doing only what you love. It's not uncommon for entrepreneurs who obsess over their businesses to experience mental health issues or allow their jobs to negatively affect family and social relationships.

Now more than ever, it's crucial for entrepreneurs to maintain the right balance. It starts with self-awareness: realizing you're going too fast or trying to go too far. When those feelings settle in, you know it's time to slow down, relax and allow some time for introspection and renewal.

A 2013 survey from Sage North America discovered that nearly half of small-business owners take very little vacation time. Working constantly can lead to debilitating consequences for both body and business, while carving out time away from the maddening schedule actually can do you good. Still, the perception of lost productive time is hard to shake.

As the holiday season approaches, here are some novel ways to recharge your batteries.

1. Extreme sports.

A 2009 study indicated activities that involve a real fear of death can provide lessons in humility as well as courage. These activities have proved truly transformational, with far-reaching effects on other aspects of the participant's life.

Evolution wires us to survive at all costs. Fear is a natural response against any activity that puts our lives in jeopardy. In this sense, participating in dangerous and potentially life-threatening activities might go against evolutionary sense. But such activities help you confront dangers and choose action in the face of fear. When you participate in extreme sports such as white-water kayaking or bungee jumping, you get a rush of adrenaline. Your body releases neurotransmitters including dopamine, which helps you cope with pain.

These physiological effects of extreme sports can train your body to view fear through a third-person's perspective. You allow yourself to experience a positive emotional response. It can be extremely helpful to bring those lessons into your contemporary work world. Entrepreneurs must move forward even when there's a risk. Knowing you'll make it through can help you be more decisive instead of avoiding uncertainty at all costs.

Related: 7 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Should Go Skydiving More Than Once

2. Adventure therapy.

If you aren't the daredevil kind, consider adventure therapy: mountain climbing, trekking into the wilderness, camping and other pursuits that contain an element of the unknown. Adventure activities offer the ability to gain a greater understanding of who you are and how you live your everyday life.

This can inspire you to look at the bigger picture -- what you can become and how you can help the world. It also teaches you to embrace challenges and march confidently toward the success.

Related: Don't Fear the Fear -- Let It Drive You

Like extreme sports, adventure therapy provides a training ground to become more comfortable with uncertain outcomes. You also might come away more prepared to face adversity and become more tolerant of its place in your life.

There's also this: Adventure activities demonstrate the power of teamwork. No one can achieve much alone. It takes a team to shape a business, and adventure activities can drive home the important role that trust and commitment play in your company's success.

3. Recreational sports.

If the first two options on this list are a little too extreme, a more laid-back vacation might fit the bill. Find an exotic location where you can savor the weather, views, food and local flavor.

Related: Don't Miss These Cruise Getaway Deals

Leisure activities in paradise can be a great way to slow down and stimulate your creativity. Playing golf with a group of friends involves moderate physical activity as you walk, focus on form and practice your swing. Golf challenges the right side of your brain, which in turn can boost creativity. It also allows you to take in some fresh air and enjoy quality time with people who matter in your life.

Depending on the members of your golf party, a round on the course followed by social hour at the clubhouse can develop business opportunities as well as create good memories.

Related: Why Meditation Works and How It Benefits the Workplace

4. Meditation retreats.

Meditation can help defuse stress and connect you with your internal self. But it's difficult to master the discipline needed to meditate regularly. A meditation retreat removes daily work distractions so you can concentrate on your inner world.

The 10-day Vipassana Meditation Retreat is a course in the ancient Vipassana technique as taught by master S.N. Goenka. It's a tough but doable program. You aren't allowed to speak to anyone, read, write, listen to music or perform any kind of physical exercise. You're totally unplugged from the world. But you are connected with another important entity: yourself. This experience teaches mindfulness of your own habits, forcing you to slow down and savor your food, make peace with yourself and develop sensitivity to all sentient creation.

Pratik Dholakiya

Founder of Growfusely

Pratik Dholakiya is the founder of Growfusely, a content marketing agency specializing in content and data-driven SEO.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

Costco CFO Reveals Uncertain Fate of $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

CFO Richard Galanti reveals that the price will stay the same — but only "for a while."

Business News

The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

A new report shows that vending machines are a popular investment — and the industry is set to grow up to $3 billion by 2031.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.