It can, and does, happen to all of us and when it does it’s infuriating and can be expensive; what is this pestilence? Simply getting sick.
Being ill can cost you money, so much so, that some people count their blessings when they are ill during their holiday time. But with more and more people working for themselves and working from home, tied to the internet, sickness is getting much more worthwhile to avoid.
You can’t hand a closed sign on the door when you work online, it’s a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week world and falling ill can cost you work and give you a reputation for being unreliable.
However, it is this very non-stop nature of home work that can contribute to illness. Working all the time is bound to take its toll on your health and if your work is their all day and all night you’re going to be tempted to earn those extra dollars by logging on in the small hours.
So, you must try and give yourself some freedom from a machine that will never rest: stress and depression are now at epidemic levels in the western world and much of that is due to the fact that we just can’t turn off.
Here are ten tips that can help you to avoid falling sick:
1. Sleep for at least eight hours a night if you can; sleep taken before midnight have twice the value of sleep taken after midnight.
2. Learn your limit and don’t force yourself to work beyond it.
3. Don’t burnout: if you need to take a break every couple of hours to avoid affecting your performance and health, then take that break.
4. Don’t bring ill-health on others by respecting their work/life boundaries too.
5. Watch your diet; eat healthily and get three good meals each day.
6. Avoid anxiety: learn what makes you anxious – running right up to deadlines for example – and work in order to avoid these stresses.
7. Watch your caffeine intake. If you must have your coffee try and cut back and don’t drink it after noon to avoid affecting your sleep.
8. Look for peace and contentment.
9. If you are healthy, enjoy it and be thankful that you are in a good state of repair.
10. Plan ahead and don’t take things for granted.
Anyone who works for themselves can benefit from this advice. You rely on your health for your living, so don’t let making your living ruin your health.
You can certainly take simple steps like these to protect your physical health: a good diet, good rest and treating any minor problems (with rest if necessary) before they can become a major problem that could put you out of action for weeks.
Surprisingly, many of the same tips apply for protecting your mental health. The effects of a breakdown can be as devastating for your business as any physical ailment.
Good rest and a good diet are good for mental health too. As is taking some form of physical exercise, or at the very least stepping away from your computer and going for a walk in the fresh air for half-an-hour.
No related posts.
{ 0 comments }
You must log in to post a comment.