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Today on Alive in the Fire, Sponsored Yogini Kelsie shares some heartfelt advice about running a yoga studio and building a small business.

Recently she founded her own yoga studio, Yoga by Kels, in Clarkston, Washington. I’m grateful to say I was able to visit in December during the first annual Alive in the Fire retreat, and I am impressed by what a gorgeous and welcoming space she has created. Whether you’re a fellow studio owner, planning to open a space, or just looking for some self-care tips, the tips below offer some great advice.

Kels, I'm so proud of you and the impact you're making in your local community, as well as everything you're doing to maintain balance in your own life and with your personal yoga practice. Keep it up, and thank you for inspiring all of us along the way! ;)

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Being an entrepreneur and running your own business can be one of the most gratifying experiences, but it can also be extremely stressful. When I founded Yoga By Kels, I was working very hard to the point of mental and physical exhaustion. Over time, I learned how to work smarter, and developed a set of personal rules to follow. If you are feeling overwhelmed or run-down, use these tips to remain sane and achieve your entrepreneurial goals.

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5 Ways to Help Maintain Your Sanity as a Yoga Studio Owner

1. Restore your energy with deep sleep. In the early stages of a business, you can run on pure adrenaline. You are overflowing with excitement (and nerves!) and there are a million things to get done. Eventually, your tank of gas is going to run out. Getting quality rest every night is essential. If you want to keep up a fast pace, you’re going to need good sleep.

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2. Remain social. Sometimes entrepreneurs want to remain in their creative area and focus 100 percent of their efforts and time into building their dream. To find more balance, interact socially with friends and family. By connecting with others, you will feel more supported and fulfilled while still pursuing your goal.

3. Stay optimistic. You are going to be thrown curve balls on a regular basis as a business owner. Regardless of the situation, you need to remain optimistic and know that everything will be fine. Negative thoughts never breed positive results, and your business becomes vulnerable the moment you start to have doubts.

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4. Eat well. When strapped for time, fast food is extremely convenient. Preparing healthy meals in advance is a great way to eat a nutritious and balanced diet even when your schedule is busy. I love yogurt and granola so I often pack the two together with some trail mix and easy peanut butter sandwiches. Make it simple. Life doesn’t have to be complicated when trying to be healthy.

5. Set communication boundaries. Thanks to technology you can be connected to your business 24/7. While smartphones, mobile email and business apps are convenient, the pressure to stay connected around the clock can implode the business/personal life balance. *eye roll* A solution is to set boundaries. For example: I disable my phone each Sunday for several hours to disengage and recharge without being distracted by emails.

Remaining sane as an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but using the listed tips can help to improve your mental and physical health.