In the modern world, we stake so much on our sportspeople that they receive incredible levels of coaching, nutrition advice, medical help and support from their teams to help keep them on top form. However, why is it that business owners and senior executives, roles with the responsibility of running companies and many employees, let their physical and mental health slip in favour of working harder and longer?
It’s a modern problem faced by executives and busy professionals the world over, but the causes and solutions are more obvious than you may think.
Here are 10 of the biggest health issues that can plague the lives of people in high-pressure jobs:
1. Lower Productivity
Having a busy schedule without time to exercise can result in lower energy levels during the day, meaning that it can be difficult for an executive to stay focused. This is something that makes their position even harder with the volume of work and consistent pressure to deliver.
2. Lack of Concentration
A lack of exercise and poor diet can eventually lead a senior executive or business owner to become less alert and lose concentration. Regular exercise releases brain chemicals key for memory, concentration, and mental sharpness. So with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world crediting daily exercise for their ability to stay at peak form, all business owners and executives should follow suit.
3. High Blood Pressure
There is no doubt that the life of a senior executive can be immensely stressful, which is a recipe for high blood pressure and other health issues. Exercise and good diet can help to greatly lower the risk of this, but with a lifestyle lacking in both of these, a senior executive risks these health issues in their high-pressure position.
4. Low Enthusiasm
It’s not just energy levels that can be affected by a busy work life, but also an individual’s mood, happiness and drive. This bleeds into an executive’s work and home life, causing feelings of exhaustion and lethargy that make both the job itself and time spent with friends and family more tiring and mentally-draining than they should be.
5. Risk of Illness
Being run down by a stressful work life and without adequate nutrition, a business owner or executive runs the risk of being more prone to illness. Unwanted or unplanned time off is the last thing any person of responsibility needs.
6. Anxiety
Being in a high pressure position can lead to mental health issues such as feelings of anxiety and depression. Keeping in a positive and happy state of mind can often be difficult as an executive who rides the ‘entrepreneurial rollercoaster’. So as previously mentioned, balancing your hormonal state through regular exercise and good diet is proven to reduce these feelings of anxiety
7. Faster Ageing
An imbalance of stress hormones in your body, caused by a high-pressure job, can lead to many detrimental effects on your body, such as high blood pressure that weakens your arteries, hair loss and quicker development of wrinkles and ageing skin. People often throw the phrase around that stress ‘takes years off your life’, and this is in fact the dreadful truth.
8. Back Problems
Back pain is very common among all professionals, let alone senior executives. Hours spent sitting at a desk or driving around every day can lead to issues with your muscles and spine, resulting in debilitating injuries or disabilities later in life. Good posture and reducing the time spent sitting down are good first steps towards eliminating the risk of this.
For more, read our recent article: ‘Exercise Ends Chronic Back Pain: Paul Babai’s Story’ here.
9. Putting on Weight
One of the most common results of an inactive and stressful lifestyle is an increase in fat and overall body weight. While this is fine at low levels, becoming overweight can lead to difficulties in basic quality of life and cause further health problems. Some people may also put a lot of stake in their appearance, which can change over time with weight gain and negatively affect the individual’s self-confidence.
10. Physical Fitness
Finally, the most obvious downside to an executive lifestyle without exercise is a lack of base fitness. This can make even the simplest tasks become tiring. Many of the previous points discussed can be avoided through keeping your body physically fit, and most importantly, the quality of life spent with family and friends away from the office could suffer as a result of poor fitness and ill health.
At the end of the day, no matter how much time and money you invest in a successful career, it’s surely more important to invest in a happy and fulfilling life. When was the last time you invested in life?
Take Action
PGPT have been providing mobile personal training to London’s busy executives and business owners since 2007 and understand their time restraints and daily pressures; so we come to you. Find out more about what we do and how you too can invest in your life with PGPT. Book a complimentary consultation today: Book Now