The last few months have brought home to many of us the importance of health and well-being. Those who are self-employed or small business owners often particularly struggle if they need to take time off. Whether you’re a painter, hairdresser or accountant, staying healthy and well is just as important to business as your brushes, scissors or calculator! Here are our top tips to keep you on top form!

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1. Break it down. Bitesize is easier.

It can be so hard to find the time to exercise and eat healthily when you’re rushed off your feet running a business. It might be easier to break it down. Can you manage 15 minutes exercise in your lunch break? How about a piece of fruit instead of a biscuit with your coffee in the morning? What about taking that phone call while walking around your house? Even small changes add up to a big difference over time – and they are much easier to implement.  

2. Prioritise it and make it part of your routine.

Anything we do regularly quickly becomes a habit. Can you make healthy changes part of your daily routine? It might be hard initially but once you have done it for a few weeks (and if you stick to bitesize manageable changes), you’ll soon find it’s second nature!

3. Down time is important too.

When you have your own business and the buck stops with you, it can be tempting to keep going and burn the midnight oil. Rest and relaxation are just as important as work and exercise. Schedule in the time you will finish work each day and stick to it!  Plan days off or holidays so that you get a real break!  

4. If you are worried, don’t delay.

If you do have a health concern it can be all too easy to postpone taking time off to get it checked out. More often than not it will be nothing to worry about or can be easily sorted, but it’s always better to see a doctor sooner than later so that you can get back on your feet ASAP.

5. Health cover

Think about taking out some sort of health cover. Yes, you knew we were going to say that, but honestly it might really help. For example, our cancer cover provides a lump sum if you are diagnosed with cancer, starting from just a few pounds a month* (*costs based on age and smoking status)! Now, that might come in handy if you are one of the one in two people who will get cancer at some point in their lives.  

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