Being an entrepreneur entails more than it may initially seem. It can call for long hours of work and even days with little or hardly any sleep at all. More often than not, this job is also mostly sedentary and with all things considered, it can be inferred that the lifestyle of an entrepreneur may really take a huge toll on your health sooner or later. Sedentary behavior also is known to worsen the health of an individual – it increases the risk of depression, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

With a hectic schedule, it is difficult to schedule time for exercise or properly plan a healthy meal. Moreover, the emotional health of entrepreneurs is counts as much as your physical health and this aspect of one’s health is often times just overlooked.

In other words, entrepreneurs usually take their bodies for granted and treat it terribly in exchange for the possible success that they may attain. This standard of living, however, is not healthy and no matter how much success it may bring about, entrepreneurs should never let go of healthy living.

Do not tie yourself to your Desk

Spending even just an hour outside daily is actually beneficial for the body. Thomas Jefferson utilized this habit. He actually spent most of his time working but he never failed to go and spend at least one hour outside every day. It would not hurt to take a break for even just a few minutes and go outside, get some fresh air, natural vitamin D and exercise.

You literally are what You Eat

Another way of nurturing a healthy life-style is to improve what you eat. Skipping the energy drinks and junk food can be a starting step to improve your diet. Eating food that is bad for the body may have negative effects to your productivity. For example, inflammatory foods such as sugar can cause you to feel inactive and cloud your focus and concentration.

Consequently, you must prepare and consume nutritionally balanced meals. Food should be seen as fuel and if you feed your body with high quality fuel, the likelihood of a better performance will be attained.

Get those Zzzzs

All entrepreneurs have or will have to experience the toil of late nights, early morning errands and last-minute deadlines at some point in their careers. However, these must not hinder entrepreneurs to get the right amount of sleep because lack of sleep can deter thinking and learning and impair attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning and problem solving skills. In short, lack of sleep can really affect productivity. Moreover, lack of sleep can also contribute to serious health problems such as heart failure and diabetes.

Sleeping more is a great benefit to entrepreneurs. That is why it is recommended neither to sleep too short nor sleep too long to maximize productivity levels. Also, a good power nap may also be utilized to recharge your brain and avoid burnout.

Mind of Matter

Being emotionally healthy must be given as much importance as being physically healthy. Even the most intelligent people would not make it in the “real” world if they could not control their emotions toward their work or toward their client.  Focusing on the positives is one of the simplest, yet, very effective ways of maintaining an emotionally healthy state because where you put your focus will determine how you will think.

Looking at the bright side of situations can help keep your self-esteem and morale high and this can improve productivity. Being able to forgive those who have wronged you can also be a way to improve your disposition. Forgiving will allow you to move on from the negative circumstances while learning from the situation can protect entrepreneurs from being wronged again by the same people.

Striking a balance between pursuing good health and good business is a must for all entrepreneurs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can teach valuable lessons about good business. Furthermore, successful entrepreneurs work smarter and not harder.