As an entrepreneur you’re a superhero in your own right, working long hours, brainstorming, and crunching numbers to open every door possible to turn your idea into a successful reality.
Developing and launching a startup takes hard work and dedication. And while being a workaholic has its perks there are some definite pitfalls to be aware of, especially when it comes to your health.
Here are 6 health issues that entrepreneurs face and what you can do to minimize your risk.
1. Depression
There’s a lot of fear, anxiety, and frustration when it comes to starting a company. There are all sorts of unknowns and plenty of room for failure. The stress of being an entrepreneur not only takes a toll on you physically, but also mentally. In fact, a recent study of 240 entrepreneurs found that almost 50% reported having a mental health issue, depression being the most common. Anxiety is also widespread in the entrepreneur community.
If you’re experiencing mental health issues, get the medical support you need. Talk with a therapist or attend support groups. Keeping everything bottled in won’t do you any good.
2. Perma-Cold
Have you found that you always seem to be sick, or maybe you have a cold that just never goes away completely? In the entrepreneur world we’ve coined this as the perma-cold. Constant travel, high stress, and a lack of sleep can all lead to a weakened immune system.
The best fix is to sleep more and stress less, but we all know that isn’t always possible. To give your immune system a boost, consider taking supplements like a multi-vitamin, zinc, and vitamin C to keep your immune system running like a well-oiled machine.
3. Struggle with weight gain
As an entrepreneur, you likely can’t remember the last time you made a meal for yourself. If you’re like most startup owners, snack food is your best friend. It’s much easier to grab some chips or cookies as you’re typing away at your business proposal.
While snacks here and there are good fuel, they shouldn’t be the sole source of calories. A bad diet combined with stress and a lack of sleep can cause the numbers on the scale go increase. A quick fix is to meal prep or at least purchase snacks that are healthier, such as dried fruit, nuts, and even protein bars.
If your weight problem has gotten out of hand, consider a non-invasive surgery like Contrave. This tool will help you shed the pounds without an extended recovery period, and you can even find Contrave manufacturer cards to help you control the cost.
4. Back Issues
Leaning over a laptop and sitting in a less than supportive chair are the perfect mix for back problems. Combined with stress, frequent travel, and sleeping in beds of all shapes, sizes, and firmness, you’re destined to feel some sort of pain or discomfort in your back, neck, or upper body. While you may find it hard to take breaks throughout the day, not giving your body the rest and stretching it needs can lead to uncomfortable days, leaving you unfocused and unable to dedicate your all to your startup.
To minimize the risk of back pain, invest in a supportive chair. An ergonomic chair should have lumbar support and should be fully adjustable, allowing you to put your feet on the floor and sit up straight with your screen at eye level.
The next best thing you can do is to get up and stretch! Sitting all day, especially with bad posture, can cause all sorts of pain and stiffness. Take a few minutes to walk around and stretch out to keep your body limber.
5. Eye Strain
As an entrepreneur, screen time is your lifeline. If you’re not on your computer or laptop, chances are your eyes are fixed to a mobile screen. But, looking at a screen for hours is quite taxing on your eyes. In fact, it can cause eye strain that leaves you with blurry vision, dry eyes, and other annoying issues.
Minimize eye strain by looking away from the screen for a few seconds every 20 minutes. This gives your eyes time to adjust and to have temporary relief.
6. Tension Headaches & Migraines
Staring at a screen all day not only impacts your eyes, but it can also cause headaches and sometimes even migraines. The more you’re sitting at your desk, the more stressed you become, the less sleep you get, and the less water you consume. Pile on cups upon cups of caffeine and you’re bound to have a throbbing head.
Tension headaches can be avoided by drinking enough water and finding ways to manage your stress levels. Take time throughout the day to just breathe. Do a little desk yoga. Take 5 minutes and breathe in some fresh air. You’ll thank yourself later!
Conclusion
Living the life of an entrepreneur has its ups and downs. To keep your health on track, be aware of these common health issues as well as the things you can do to minimize your risk.
Shift Frequency © 2018 – Common Health Issues of Entrepreneurs