When becoming a business owner, you think all about the awards and less about the negatives. Right?
Who cares about the finical risks, time commitment, and extra duties you must do to get a business up and running. You only cared about the ability to create a legacy, so you and your family didn’t have to depend on anyone else.
Although, the one negative thing you didn’t expect your business to affect is your health. Have you not realised the late nights you stayed up wondering if you’re doing good or the extra pounds you gained due to eating out more?
Yes, starting a business can cause you to care less about your health, and if you’re not careful, you may be hurting yourself in the long run. Here are five surprising ways starting a business can affect your health and what you can do about it.
1. You May Experience Depression
It’s no secret that starting a business is a lot of work. In addition to the endless to-do lists and late nights, there’s also the constant stress of wondering if your business will succeed.
It’s no wonder that so many business owners become depressed after starting their own companies. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent depression from taking over your life.
First, make sure to schedule some time for yourself every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Relaxing during the chaotic days of building your business is vital.
Also, try to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. These simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference if you start experiencing depression when starting a business.
2. Start Suffering From High Levels of Stress
Starting a business is a big undertaking and can be incredibly stressful. Unfortunately, for many business owners, the stress begins long before they open their doors.
They may spend months (or even years) planning and preparing, worrying about whether their business will be successful. Then, once they finally start, they often face even more challenges, from finding customers to managing finances. And if their business isn’t successful, the stress can be even greater.
As a business owner, there are several things you can do to manage your stress. You may want to make minor adjustments, such as refining your organisational habits, or more extensive changes, like growing your staff. Try to access your pain points and address them the best you can. You can learn from other businesses’ mistakes and take preventative measures like securing insurance. For your peace of mind, getting business insurance is essential. Accidents will happen, and insurance helps take on the burden, giving you one less thing to add to your stress.
3. Live a Sedentary Lifestyle
Those who start a business often find themselves living a sedentary lifestyle. You’re sitting at a desk all day, either in front of a computer or on the phone. And when you’re not, you’re probably driving to meetings or working long hours.
But many business owners don’t realize that this sedentary lifestyle can have serious consequences. For example, studies have shown that sitting for long periods can increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, and even early death.
So if you’re a business owner, it’s essential to make sure that you take steps to stay active. Even something as simple as taking a walk during your lunch break can make a big difference.
And if you can find ways to incorporate movement into your workday, such as standing while you work or using a treadmill desk, you’ll be even better off. Making just a few small changes can help you stay healthy and avoid the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Insomnia Will Cause You To Have Many Sleepless Nights
For many business owners, insomnia is a common side effect of running their business. The stress of making decisions, managing employees, and meeting deadlines can all contribute to sleepless nights.
Also, business owners often have to travel for work, disrupting their sleep schedule. As a result, it is not uncommon for business owners to experience insomnia.
While there are some steps that business owners can take to improve their sleep, such as exercise and relaxation techniques, the best way to combat insomnia is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Business owners can minimise insomnia by taking steps to reduce stress and creating a healthy slee
5. Risk of Developing Heart Disease
Many people don’t realise that the stress of being a business owner can take a toll on your heart health. Research has shown that business owners are at increased risk of heart disease.
One study found that the odds of having heart problems were nearly 95% higher for self-employed individuals than those who worked for someone else. The stress of running a business can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems, increasing the risk of heart disease.
So if you’re a business owner, you must be aware of the risks and take steps to manage your stress levels. Doing so can help protect your heart health in the long run.
Don’t Let Your Business Take Your Health Away
There are many things to think about when starting your own business, and your health should be one of them. Taking care of yourself is critical for maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout.
These surprising ways starting a business can affect your health provide a good place to start, but remember that every business is different. So make sure you take the time to assess what works best for you and find strategies to keep yourself healthy and happy while running your own company.