Entrepreneurship can be exciting and rewarding. You get to set your schedule and work on projects that align with your values. You also enjoy greater control over your family’s financial future. But running your own business has its challenges too. At times, it can be stressful and lead to burnout. Especially nowadays, since we idolize the “hustle” culture and glorify unsustainably long workdays.  Of course, working hard is essential. But so is taking care of yourself so you don’t run out of steam.  In this article, we’ll discuss why it pays to be healthy as an entrepreneur. We’ll also talk about four simple things you can start doing this week to boost your health.   

Why it pays to be healthy as an entrepreneur

We often make the mistake of separating health and work. You might be thinking that once you reach a certain level of success, you will take more time to care for yourself. Until then, it is eat, sleep, work, repeat. That might work for a while, especially if you’re younger. But eventually, you’re going to run out of energy. And if you’re exhausted, you’ll be less productive no matter how long you sit in front of the computer. How you take care of your health has an impact on your energy levels, mental focus, and sleep quality. Needless to say, if you’re well-rested, focused, and full of energy, it will benefit your performance as an entrepreneur.  The best part is that you don’t need to restructure your entire routine to incorporate healthy habits. A little planning and a few simple tweaks will give you all the time you need to boost your health.   

4 ways for entrepreneurs to lead a healthy lifestyle

Try to incorporate as many of the following in your routine as possible. If you can fo all four, that’s ideal. But if not, even one of these practices can move the needle significantly when it comes to your health. Get started with the one that is easiest for you to implement and try to include more over time.   

Lift weights for better sleep and cognitive function

As you already know, weightlifting has many benefits. It can help you lose weight and improve bone health. And, of course, having lean and toned muscles don’t hurt when you’re at the beach. But strength training has various other benefits that aren’t discussed very often. For entrepreneurs, resistance exercise can have positive effects on cognitive function and sleep quality.  One study found that resistance training improved brain functions like memory and processing speed among older adults with cognitive frailty. Another research linked low to moderate intensity strength training to reduced stress levels. There is also evidence that points to a link between weightlifting and better sleep. Look for gyms close to your office, so you pop in for a quick workout before lunch. If you work from home, there are plenty of online bodyweight training programs designed for busy people. For a boost in energy and motivation to help you get through your workouts, check out our natural pre-workout supplement. It includes premium, non-GMO ingredients to provide you with clean fuel for your gym sessions.  

Intermittent fasting (IF) for more energy

Intermittent fasting (IF) is the practice of eating all your calories within a specific window of time each day. One of the most popular IF routines is sixteen-eight. With this routine, you’d consume all your daily calories within eight hours.  For example, you will skip breakfast and eat between 12 PM and 8 PM. The rest of the time, you can drink water, black coffee, and tea (with no sweeteners).  The concept of fasting as a therapeutic tool has been around for centuries in traditions across the globe. IF has been trending recently in the western world as we come to learn more about its numerous potential benefits. Most people fast intermittently to lose weight. But it has various other benefits, like improved cardiovascular health. For entrepreneurs, one of the key benefits of intermittent fasting is stable energy levels throughout the day. Intermittent fasting promotes stable blood sugar levels. That means you will “crash” less frequently during the day, allowing you to stay focused on your tasks.  Of course, another benefit is that if you skip breakfast, you have one less decision to make during the day. That’s mental bandwidth you can use for more productive things.  

Yoga for improved stress response

At first thought, it might seem odd to suggest that doing yoga would benefit your performance as an entrepreneur. But let’s take a closer look at what the evidence suggests. One of the benefits of yoga is that it can improve your heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is the variation in the time interval between consecutive heartbeats. A higher HRV improves your ability to respond better in stressful situations.  One of the critical skills as an entrepreneur or a leader is the ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Instead of freaking out, you are expected to stay composed so you can make the right decisions.  One can make the point that if yoga improves your HRV, then it leaves you better equipped to handle stressful situations. This might be the reason why high-achievers like Sergey Brin, Russell Simmons, and Ariana Huffington have all embraced yoga as entrepreneurs.  

Avoid junk food to improve brain health

You might be too busy to prepare your meals consistently. And depending on where you spend most of your day, you might not always have access to healthy food options. Invariably, a lot of busy people end up at the fast-food drive-thru even though they know it’s unhealthy. Or at one of the “soup and sandwich” chains that have somehow earned the reputation of being healthier (they are not).  The sad reality is that most of the restaurant menus in America are loaded with unhealthy and processed junk food. Eating processed foods can have numerous adverse health effects. Too much junk food is a significant factor why diabetes numbers are skyrocketing in the developed world. In the short term, processed foods can impact your energy levels as well as your mental health. Research has also linked processed sugars with mood disorders like anxiety and depression.  If you can avoid junk food, you’ve already won half the battle. Ideally, you can pack your lunch with high-quality ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy proteins. Of course, the more fruits and vegetables, the better.  If that’s not always an option, consider meal replacements instead of snacks. They are ideal solutions to hold you through until you can get home. Our protein meal  product starts with our best-selling grass-fed whey protein. Then it adds organic fiber, organic fruits, and vegetables for vitamins and minerals. To make a complete balanced meal, we also include probiotics for gut health and coconut cream powder for healthy fats. For best results, we recommend blending with almond milk.  If a meal replacement shake isn’t your thing, our protein bars are another great option. All our bars are made with grass-fed Whey from small family-owned dairy farms.  

Final thoughts

Ralph Waldo Emerson said that your health is your first wealth. How your mind and body function directly impacts everything you do. If you take care of your health, you will have more energy, sleep better, and make better decisions. Ultimately, it will improve your productivity and efficiency as an entrepreneur and help you live the life you have envisioned. Take some time today to look for a gym or yoga studio in your neighborhood. And consider picking up some high-quality Naked Nutrition supplements to supports your health routine.