The #1 Secret to a Healthy Business
The number one secret to having a healthy business is making sure that YOU are healthy!
As a business owner or sole trader, you probably don’t get the luxury of sick leave that employees do. However it is much more than that – studies have shown that healthy workers are three times more productive than those that aren’t (1)!
If you want your business to blossom, it’s time to take care of you. Here are some of the most common risks to your health and wellbeing at work, as well as tips on how you can minimise their impacts.
Sitting All Day
It doesn’t matter how active you are in your spare time, or even if you run marathons: if your work entails a lot of sitting (for example, driving or tapping away at a computer) then you are at risk of a range of health problems.
Prolonged sitting is associated with back pain, muscle stiffness and fatigue, headaches, diabetes, varicose veins and even DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), to name just a few, according to Safe Work Australia.
It’s easy to get engrossed in your work and forget to move around (I’m definitely guilty of this!). To encourage healthier habits, try:
- placing your printer in another room;
- standing up whenever you are on the phone;
- investing in a standing desk;
- setting a timer for 30 minute intervals, to remind you to stand up and stretch.
An ergonomically designed workspace can make all the difference – this guide from the University of Adelaide will help you check your own setup.
While the current trend is for stylish workspaces, you ignore form over function at your peril. I recently had a new built-in desk installed, only to find that it was too high for ordinary office chairs. It took some searching online but eventually I found and bought a drafting chair which is the correct height for my new setup.
Staring at Screens
Staring at a computer screen all day is also not the best for your health and wellbeing.
Part of the problem is that you are indeed staring, and fixated on that screen. As a result, you aren’t blinking as often – and blinking is what keeps your eyes lubricated. Sore and irritated eyes could lead to a problem called Dry Eye Syndrome, so make sure you give your eyes a break regularly.
Exposure to blue light from screens and devices may also negatively impact on your health, disrupting your sleep cycle and causing digital eye strain. Blue light may also contribute to more serious vision problems such as retinal damage, macular degeneration and cataracts.
While it’s probably not possible to cut back on your screen time during work hours, try to avoid using devices during your down time.
You should also set the screen brightness so that it’s enough for you to see comfortably, without being too bright.
Standing vs Sitting
If sitting too much is bad for you, surely being on your feet most of the day is the opposite?
Unfortunately, being in any one position for prolonged periods is not going to do your health and wellbeing any favours, regardless of whether you are standing or sitting. It’s a recipe for problems such as back pain, leg cramps, poor blood circulation and cardiovascular disease.
Try to alternate between sitting and standing positions when you can, and move around more.
Good posture and well-fitting, supportive shoes are also important, otherwise you could find yourself dealing with bunions, blisters, corns and calluses.
To help strengthen your lower limbs for the demands of a job where you are on your feet most of the day, incorporate simple exercises like calf and leg stretches, or heel raises, into your daily routine.
Healthy You = Healthy Business
As a business owner, you are the boss and that means you have a duty of care for your employees – even if you are the only employee. So make a point of prioritising your health and wellbeing at work, and enjoy the benefits to your productivity and profits!
(1) Medibank Private (2005) The Health of Australia’s Workforce, www.medibank.com.au/pdfs/MEDI_Workplace_Web_Sp.pdf.
