Article Contributed by Kimberly Crossland
Entrepreneurs are a unique group of people. Their passion for their business, industry and customers is enough to keep them at work for hours on end, often times causing them to sacrifice hobbies, television shows and recreation.
Sitting for long periods of time is not uncommon for many entrepreneurs, but it is unhealthy. A recent study in Finland showed that professionals who did not take time to recover from their work week increased their risk of cardiovascular diseases. Yet many entrepreneurs claim that if they stepped away from their company for even a short period of time, they would fear being out of touch which could leave them more anxious and stressed.
If you are an entrepreneur passionate about your job to the point of fearing being out of touch for too long, there is a solution. Taking short breaks throughout the day is a good way to balance between the love of business and your health. Here are a few reasons why you should embrace the idea of taking short breaks throughout the workday and encourage your employees to do the same.
- Productivity increases with more breaks – Working for long hours does not always mean you get more done. When you reach the point of burnout, you could be investing valuable time at the office or behind your desk with little result. Taking breaks can help you clear your mind and focus better making you more productive.
- Sitting for too long can hurt your circulation – Blood flow is vital to keeping your mind and body healthy. When you sit for extended periods of time, you do more damage than you may realize. Stand up, stretch and walk around whenever possible. You may even consider investing in an adjustable height desk to help you change postures throughout the day without leaving your computer.
- Repetitive stress injuries leave lasting effects – Overuse of certain muscles can lead to injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and eye strain from looking at the computer screen for too long. Take a break and get some natural sunlight, even if it is only for a few minutes. This will rejuvenate your mindset and improve your physical health. To help even more, try using an ergonomic keyboard or task light. This will ensure that your office is well-equipped to keep you healthy.
Taking a break to stand up, walk around and get some natural sunlight for a few minutes is extremely helpful not only to your physical health but also to your mental well-being. For busy entrepreneurs, taking breaks can actually lead to heightened productivity and better balance overall.
Author Bio: Kimberly Crossland is an entrepreneur and small business consultant. To stay healthy at work, her home office is equipped with a treadmill desk, ergonomic keyboard and a task light. To find ergonomic furniture for your office, visit www.thehumansolution.com.