Apothékary’s Shizu Okusa Reveals How She Sidesteps Burnout: The Scare-Free Sunday Approach
Shizu Okusa, the visionary behind Apothékary, has created a blueprint for avoiding burnout that resonates especially well on Sundays. In a recent conversation, she highlighted her approach, emphasizing the importance of scheduling emails and maintaining a “Do Not Disturb” setting on her phone throughout the day.
In the latest installment of TZR’s Scare-Free Sundays, leaders from various industries tackle the prevalent issue of Sunday Scaries, a phenomenon that often interferes with the relaxation needed to prepare for the week ahead. Okusa, who began her journey in the fast-paced world of finance at Goldman Sachs, found herself yearning for a more balanced existence. After successfully launching and selling her cold-pressed juice venture, Jrink, she again faced burnout.
Her childhood experiences in Osaka, Japan, profoundly influenced her perspective on life’s small joys and the healing power of nature. The traditional tea ceremony culture in Japan inspired her to connect deeply with every fleeting moment. This significant realization motivated Okusa to embark on a new venture — Apothékary — which offers herbal supplements inspired by her Japanese heritage, designed to address contemporary challenges.
One of Apothékary’s standout products is Wine Down, a calming alcohol alternative that features ingredients like California poppy and tart cherry. These ingredients are known for their sleep-promoting properties. As Apothékary prepares for a new launch at Ulta, Okusa shared insights on her self-care practices and how she remains centered while expanding her wellness brand. Key to her routine are early mornings and strategic email scheduling before the weekend.
Okusa starts her evenings by organizing a to-do list and prioritizing emails for the next morning, all to ensure a productive start. She aims to be in bed by 10 p.m. Each morning begins around 5 to 5:30 a.m., relying on natural light instead of alarm clocks, which she finds disruptive. A quick workout follows, tailored to her week’s demands, whether grounding heavy lifting or high-energy cardio.
Work-related stress reveals itself through various symptoms: disrupted sleep, digestive issues, and unexpected irritability. Okusa emphasizes the importance of being self-aware as a leader, striving to alleviate stress rather than add to it. With Apothékary’s rapid growth, she’s learned to navigate her demanding travel schedule — a recent 11-week period saw 18 flights. Carrying her herbal remedies helps her to maintain a sense of balance amidst chaos.
Among her favorite coping strategies is the Take the Edge Off tincture for midday stress management, alongside Wine Down for evening relaxation. Okusa is judicious about her evening rituals, which include meal prepping to ensure nutritious intake. She emphasizes the necessity of maintaining strong social connections and planning personal engagements around work commitments.
Her approach to running a business prioritizes mental well-being, both for herself and her team. Okusa is a proponent of early email scheduling to limit weekend work interruptions, fostering team balance and preventing burnout. She employs tools like the Brick app to manage distractions, ensuring she remains focused during her productive hours.
When it comes to unwinding, Okusa finds solace in Wine Down and indulges in hot baths, a tribute to her Japanese heritage. To combat the Sunday Scaries, she journals her thoughts, reminding herself that worries about tomorrow are unnecessary. With proactive planning on Fridays, she sets herself up for a smooth transition into Monday.
In a world filled with constant demands, Shizu Okusa’s insights serve as a reminder that self-care and strategic planning are crucial for maintaining not only personal well-being but also fostering a healthy work environment.
