« Online Resources for Women Business Owners | Main | Veterans and Small Business »
On the Importance of Health
By Gabby Printz | May 21, 2010
Yesterday, our Coaching clients met for their bi-monthly Roundtable discussion to talk about health and wellness. Going into the class, a few women were wondering how this topic could be relevant to small business. And I think they were surprised to find how much their health could affect their ability to efficiently run an enterprise. As the title of the presentation suggests: Healthy You, Healthy Business.
We often acknowledge how fortunate we are to have the resources of the College at our disposal, and this Roundtable was no exception – our clients always benefit from these kinds of educational opportunities. Dennis Koch, PhD, coordinator of the Health and Human Performance program at Canisius and our friendly neighbor down the hall, was nice enough to put on the presentation for the Coaching ladies, with the help of some of his graduate students. Together, they facilitated a discussion on the importance of managing health, especially for a small business owner. Covering topics like stress management, body composition, diet and exercise, and blood pressure and cholesterol control, the group was not only given a basic understanding of these vitals, but they discussed goal setting and problem-solving techniques to achieve their health-related goals.
So why is health important to your business?
Owning and operating a business can be an emotionally, psychologically, and physically demanding job. And for women business owners, who often are trying to balance the demands of family life as well, the stresses on personal health are that much greater. So what happens if you’re not 100%?
We’ve been doing some research around here recently on the factors that contribute to business failure; often they are financial and organizational issues, but personal issues facing a business owner or sole proprietor can be damaging. By taking steps to keep yourself well, both physically and mentally, you can prevent possible health problems and ensure that you have the ability and energy to focus on running your business. Your productivity, unhindered by stress, a cold, or something more serious, is valuable.
Simply, your health impacts your performance. To operate at your best, we suggest these helpful health tips:
- Eat a balanced diet: We’re not suggesting you go on a diet… just be conscious of what you eat, get your fruit and veggies, and maybe get rid of the secret candy stash in your desk drawer. At the WBC office, our fridge is usually stocked with yummy yogurt and fresh fruit .
- Be active: Take some time out to go for a walk, play with your kids, or maybe, if you’re feeling adventurous, practice some office yoga. Canisius recently held a “Get in Step” program which gave out pedometers to measure and increase the amount of steps taken in a day.
- Manage stress: Make sure to maintain a balance between work and play. Even if you LOVE what you do, it’s always important to have time to de-stress. Get your 7-9 hours of sleep in, relax, and stay positive.
What health tips do you recommend? How do you think your health impacts running a business? Let us know in a comment below.
Topics: Coaching | 2 Comments »
June 6th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I’m sure Dennis had a great presentation prepared for everyone, I know he’s a huge advocate for wellness. I believe wellness is especially something we need to pass on to our children/students. We forget that school can be a stressful time for children. It’s important for each child to find their decompressing vice, whether it be writing, outdoor activities, or reading. We can easily pass that on by serving as examples.
November 10th, 2010 at 8:52 am
When it comes to the matter of the health I am also very interested. Your blog is very impressive I really paid attention to it from the beginning up to the end. As a mother the help of our children is our top priority. And reading articles such as this is very inspiration. with all the information you have shared I can say you are one of the best blogger I have ever encountered in the net. Keep up the good work.