Stress is part of life.

Unfortunately, there is no app, supplement, or secret handshake that completely eliminates it. If there were, we’d all own it.

While stress isn’t optional, how you respond to it – and how quickly you bounce back – is entirely up to you.

A commitment to balance, including regular self-renewal, is essential if you want to be successful in your work, relationships, and personal life. Self-renewal isn’t selfish. It’s maintenance.

Think of it this way: You wouldn’t expect your car to run forever without gas, oil changes, or an occasional wash. Yet many people expect themselves to operate at full speed indefinitely while surviving on coffee, deadlines, and the vague hope that next month will somehow be less busy.

That’s not a strategy. That’s a countdown. As author Patti Bond wisely said:

“If the snooze button on your alarm is getting as worn out as you are, wake up. You may be burning out.”

Here are three ways to renew yourself before burnout decides to make the decision for you.