Is Your Business Making You Sick?

He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabian Proverb
We all know that we're supposed to keep up with our fitness and nutrition regimen. Or perhaps we don't quite have a routine, but we know the basics and do our best.

However, when you're in the midst of starting your own business, related pressures and demands might seem overwhelming, leaving you no free time for your family, let alone yourself. But remember: without your health through and after this process, your business can not thrive. It's YOUR business and without you, it's on its own.
To make it easy, we've compiled key tips for preventing yourself from getting to that stage. What's key about these is that they are not major life changes, but rather, small things to remember for your daily life that can make all the difference.

1. Move More


Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress reducer.

2. Boost Your Nutrition Quotient

People often confuse dieting with nutrition. Your body needs to have nutrients replaced, whether through foods being eaten or supplements. Do you remember what you learned in elementary school about the four major food groups? As adult, eating balanced meals from these groups still applies. It is important to remove the ?junk food? from your diet and stick with healthy foods. If you do not like certain things such as fruits or vegetables, be sure you are taking a supplement to get the nutrients needed.

3. Quit Smoking

Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. I don't think we need to write a lot here, but know that without cigarettes, you could be breathing a whole lot easier!

4. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook

There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a positive outlook on life. Even if there's not a lot of time in your day - especially during this startup period - try and set aside ten minutes to breathe deeply, meditate or read some inspiring passages from a favorite book. It can shift your brain to having positive thoughts for the day in all aspects of your life.

5. Sleep!

With all you have to do, sleep might be the first thing to go. Not so fast. Sleep really affects health. During sleep, your body is resting and recovering from all the work is has done throughout the day. Your serotonin levels are brought back in line, your muscles relax, and mind is allowed to clear itself in preparation for the next day. If you are not getting the proper amount of sleep, you will notice it in a physical way. Usually six to eight hours is the general rule.

And when all is said and done, don't forget the power of laughter. The medical field has proven that laughter actually works with your body toward good health. The truth is, when you laugh, several positive things happen. Your muscles relax; stress hormone product is reduced; you forget about pain; your body's immune system is improved; high-blood pressure is lowered; the heart and lungs are strengthened; and overall, you feel better.

So why wait? Remember, your business needs you, so taking care of yourself is your first business imperative.