Entrepreneurship is often lauded as the key to success. After all, being your boss comes with a lot of freedom and flexibility. But they don’t tell you that entrepreneurship also comes with a lot of stress. In fact, studies show that entrepreneurs experience more stress than employees do. And this stress can take a severe toll on your physical health. Here’s a look at how entrepreneurial stress can affect your body and your health.
Cortisol Levels
One of stress’s most well-known physical effects is increased cortisol levels. Cortisol is sometimes called the “stress hormone” because your body releases it in response to stressful situations. In small amounts, cortisol is beneficial because it gives you the energy and focuses you need to deal with a stressful situation. However, when cortisol levels are chronically high, it can lead to a host of problems, including weight gain, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. For entrepreneurs, chronic stress often leads to chronically high cortisol levels, which can severely affect their health.
Body Pain
Believe it or not, stress can also cause physical pain. When you’re stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, releasing a burst of adrenaline. This adrenaline rush can cause muscle tension, leading to headaches, back pain, and other types of body pain. For entrepreneurs who are constantly under stress, this can be a significant problem.
One of the best ways to combat body pain is to opt for professional chiropractic care. This will help to relieve the muscle tension that is causing your pain. Chiropractors can also provide you with exercises and stretches that can help to prevent future pain.
Anxiety and Depression
Another common physical effect of stress is anxiety and depression. When you’re constantly under pressure, it can affect your mental health. You may find yourself feeling anxious or depressed more often than usual. If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, it’s essential to seek professional help. Many effective treatments can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. For example, therapy can be beneficial for people struggling with anxiety or depression. In addition, many different types of medication can effectively treat anxiety and depression.
Blood Pressure
Stress can also cause an increase in blood pressure. This is because your heart rate increases when you’re under stress, and your blood vessels constrict. This increases the force your blood moves through your vessels, which can lead to damage over time. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, so it’s important to keep it under control. For entrepreneurs, managing stress levels is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
Digestive Issues
Stress can also wreak havoc on your digestive system. When you’re under stress, your body diverts blood away from your digestive system and toward your muscles so that you’ll have more energy to deal with the stressful situation. This can lead to indigestion, heartburn, and other digestive problems. For entrepreneurs who are constantly under stress, these digestive issues can become chronic and highly debilitating.
Reducing Stress in Your Life
Being an entrepreneur is stressful. There’s no way around it. You’re constantly thinking about your business, worrying about whether it will succeed or fail. But there are ways to manage your stress and keep it from taking over your life. Here are five of them:
- Get enough sleep. You might think you can get by on just a few hours of sleep, but that’s not true. Try to get at least seven or eight hours of sleep every night. If you can’t get that much, take a nap during the day.
- Eat healthy foods. It’s tempting to eat junk food when you’re stressed, but that will only make you feel worse in the long run. Eating healthy foods will help you feel better both physically and mentally.
- Exercise. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress levels. It gets your endorphins going and helps you forget your worries for a while. Even just a short walk can make a difference.
- Take breaks. Working all the time is not suitable for your stress levels or your health. Make sure to take breaks during the day, even if they’re just five minutes long.
- Talk to someone. Talking to someone who will understand and listen to you can be very helpful when you’re feeling stressed out. Sometimes it’s beneficial to talk to a professional, such as a therapist or counselor.
Final thoughts
As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to be aware of the physical effects of stress on your body and health. Chronic stress can lead to many problems, including high blood pressure, digestive issues, and weight gain. If you find yourself feeling constantly stressed out, it’s important to take steps to manage your stress levels so that you can protect your health in the long run.
