Reasons why you shouldn't go to the gym
As a small business owner you’re particularly prone to stress. You’re likely to have financial pressures, especially in the early days, you may work alone and/or work for long hours, and you may be the sole risk taker and decision maker. All these challenges are what makes being a small business owner exciting but if you are not careful things can get out of hand. If you let things build up too far it could create unwanted and damaging pressures which make it difficult for you to function effectively. So, every so often, it’s a good idea to take some time away from your business and relax, de-stress, rebalance and recompose yourself.
Don’t feel guilty about looking after yourself or it will be counter-productive. What you are doing is strengthening your mental and physical health which in turn will help you make the necessary clear-headed decisions your business needs.
However you choose to spend your relaxation and leisure time the most important this is that you enjoy it. The equation is simple: the more you enjoy the exercise the more often you will do it so the more you will feel its benefits. It’s no good joining the annual queue of people signing up for a year’s membership of their local gym only to lose interest after week 5 and never step over the threshold again. If you want to exercise there are far more stimulating ways to do it than go to a gym, and if exercising is not your thing, you simply need to find another pastime to help you relax and unwind.
Not forgetting the essential basics of eating well and getting enough sleep, here are some of our suggestions on how small business owners can look after their health:
Ideas on how to stay active and healthy
- Join your local running club Timeoutdoors.com has a long directory of clubs and identify those where beginners are welcome, and those that are women only.
- Go for a walk You don’t need any special equipment if you’re just going for a stroll around the local park, other than a pair of comfortable shoes and perhaps a drink. If you want to venture further or take things a bit more seriously take a look at the Ramblers Association website for information and advice.
If you want some more ideas on routes, buy a good ordnance survey map which will show all the paths and byways, or the AA publish some great guides on local walks of varying difficulty and length all around the UK.
- Go cycling (on a real bike!) If you need some help planning your route that takes in some refreshment along the way, take a look at this selection of cycle routes and pub walks
- Play badminton Badminton is a great game which is cheap and relatively easy to pick up and everyone can have a go without it becoming too strenuous. However, it can also get very fast and challenging as your game improves, so will manage to keep the interest of even the most competitive amateur. Courts can usually be hired by the hour from your local sports centre.
- Go for a game of golf If you can’t play why not sign up for some lessons?
If you can play, enjoy half-price golf at almost 1000 clubs in the UK by buying vouchers direct from 2FORE1golf
Or treat yourself to some new golf equipment from Scottsdale Golf
- Get an allotment Or why not use a sunny corner of your garden, and grow your own vegetables
Less strenuous ways to relax after a busy day
Reasons why you shouldn't go to the gym
As a small business owner you’re particularly prone to stress. You’re likely to have financial pressures, especially in the early days, you may work alone and/or work for long hours, and you may be the sole risk taker and decision maker. All these challenges are what makes being a small business owner exciting but if you are not careful things can get out of hand. If you let things build up too far it could create unwanted and damaging pressures which make it difficult for you to function effectively. So, every so often, it’s a good idea to take some time away from your business and relax, de-stress, rebalance and recompose yourself.
Don’t feel guilty about looking after yourself or it will be counter-productive. What you are doing is strengthening your mental and physical health which in turn will help you make the necessary clear-headed decisions your business needs.
However you choose to spend your relaxation and leisure time the most important this is that you enjoy it. The equation is simple: the more you enjoy the exercise the more often you will do it so the more you will feel its benefits. It’s no good joining the annual queue of people signing up for a year’s membership of their local gym only to lose interest after week 5 and never step over the threshold again. If you want to exercise there are far more stimulating ways to do it than go to a gym, and if exercising is not your thing, you simply need to find another pastime to help you relax and unwind.
Not forgetting the essential basics of eating well and getting enough sleep, here are some of our suggestions on how small business owners can look after their health:
Ideas on how to stay active and healthy
- Join your local running club Timeoutdoors.com has a long directory of clubs and identify those where beginners are welcome, and those that are women only.
- Go for a walk You don’t need any special equipment if you’re just going for a stroll around the local park, other than a pair of comfortable shoes and perhaps a drink. If you want to venture further or take things a bit more seriously take a look at the Ramblers Association website for information and advice.
If you want some more ideas on routes, buy a good ordnance survey map which will show all the paths and byways, or the AA publish some great guides on local walks of varying difficulty and length all around the UK.
- Go cycling (on a real bike!) If you need some help planning your route that takes in some refreshment along the way, take a look at this selection of cycle routes and pub walks
- Play badminton Badminton is a great game which is cheap and relatively easy to pick up and everyone can have a go without it becoming too strenuous. However, it can also get very fast and challenging as your game improves, so will manage to keep the interest of even the most competitive amateur. Courts can usually be hired by the hour from your local sports centre.
- Go for a game of golf If you can’t play why not sign up for some lessons?
If you can play, enjoy half-price golf at almost 1000 clubs in the UK by buying vouchers direct from 2FORE1golf
Or treat yourself to some new golf equipment from Scottsdale Golf
- Get an allotment Or why not use a sunny corner of your garden, and grow your own vegetables
Less strenuous ways to relax after a busy day