Businesses that want to boost productivity need to start with boosting their employees’ health first.

Several studies have shown that when people are healthier, they are able to perform better at work. People who eat health are 25 percent as likely to have a higher level of job performance, and those who exercise at least three times per week are also more likely to show up ready to work. Good health also lowers costs from absenteeism.

Basically, better performance equates to better organizational success. But that does not just apply to large organizations. It applies to everyone, including entrepreneurs who are running their own business regardless of whether that business includes one employee, ten or one hundred.

Entrepreneurship and healthy habits do not often go hand-in-hand. Running a business is hard, stressful, causes migraines and is time consuming, particularly in those overwhelming early stages. It feels tempting, even necessary, to give every waking moment to it. Yet, devoting everything you have, including your health, to your business is rarely the best way forward for yourself, and if you cannot keep yourself healthy, it will cost much more to keep your business healthy.

Taking time for yourself outside of the business is one of the hardest things an entrepreneur can learn. It is scary, and understanding how to balance your life with your business life requires trial and error. However, establishing healthy habits will help keep you remain better physically and emotionally prepared to overcome the obstacles that come with running any business.

Keeping Healthy and Running a Business

Entrepreneurship and healthy living can go together, and there is no need to sacrifice one for the other. The key is to personalize it for both your personal and your entrepreneurial lives so that you can make the most of what you have.

Get the Right Amount of Sleep

Sleep is essential for overall health, and when you have more to worry about, it becomes more important to sleep. But do not just go for as much sleep as you can. It is important to get the right amount of sleep. Some people need 10 hours, and some only need four hours of deep sleep.

Remember that sleep gives you time, perspective, and it gives your brain time to heal . So even if the business is in crisis, you will often wake up in the morning with a new perspective.

Keep Active

Being active means different things to different people. For some, it means walking around one every hour to keep moving. For others, it means going to CrossFit four times a week.

Maintain your activity levels, even when things are challenging in the office. Not only will you remain physically healthy, but exercise lowers stress and gives you a place to focus on something that is all about you.

Take Real Time Off

You need days off for both mental and physical health. However, taking time off does not mean simply not going into the office. It means doing something that you enjoy, or nothing at all, that is entirely unrelated to work.

Social Network

Caring for a business can be like caring for a newborn. It needs your undivided attention, but if you devote every waking hour to it every day of the week, your social relationships tend to suffer.

Take time to devote to the people in your life who matter to you. Getting together with friends helps maintain normalcy and provides you with the support you need to make it through the challenges of tomorrow.

Caring for yourself and being a successful entrepreneur may seem impossible in the short term. But taking care of yourself now makes you more successful in health and wealth in the long run.

Author's Bio: 

I’m a social entrepreneur and a strong believer in using people-to-people networks through the use of technology to improve people’s lives. Think locally and impact globally – building community through business.