Shape Up or Burn Out – the business case to be Happy and Healthy

Recently I have been changing my life!

Late last year I realised that I needed to sort out my health. My weight was tracking upwards, seemingly inexorably; parts of my body were beginning to complain and, not to put too fine a point on it, I am getting to a stage in my life where mortality seems to loom large (I am in my late fifties). I was particularly shocked to discover I was pre-hypertensive.

Mid last year I had a moment of serendipity through meeting a couple of individuals who were in the process of forming a digital health company (more on this subject in later newsletters), and through this pleasurable collaboration I found myself on a structured health rehab programme. Now, the truth is, I have always been fortunate enough to be quite active. In my younger life I was a keen sportsman and I have continued this through fairly regular exercise. This has been incentivised through my love of fairly regular alpine skiing trips to the French Alps. But the truth was, my chaotic approach to keeping healthy was not enough. Occasional diets and increased morning runs were not stemming the tide of flabbiness! Structure was what was needed, and this structured approach has yielded results. Three months in I am pleased to report I am now 6 kilos lighter and my blood pressure now a much healthier 110/70.?

The reality is that professionals and business leaders have demanding roles that can come at a cost to their health, with long working hours, high levels of stress, and lack of exercise leading to various health issues. It is important for them to prioritize their health and well-being to maintain their performance and continue to lead effectively.

A healthy lifestyle, both physical and mental, can genuinely prevent burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, and physical exhaustion that can result from prolonged stress. When people suffer from burnout, their performance and decision-making abilities are significantly affected, which can impact the entire organization. By taking care of their physical and mental health, leaders can prevent burnout and continue to perform at their best.

Additionally, there is the need to lead by example. Leaders who take care of their health set a positive example for the broader and demonstrate that they prioritize well-being in the workplace. This can lead to a healthier work culture, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity. When senior executives lead by example and put in place health related policies, their employees are more likely to follow suit and prioritize their own health and well-being.

Poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to various health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, which can limit the effectiveness of a workforce. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, people can reduce the risk of these health problems and continue to lead their organizations effectively.

The importance of keeping healthy cannot be overstated. By prioritizing health and well-being, companies can prevent staff and leadership burnout, and reduce the risk of health problems that can negatively impact staff. Healthy leaders are better equipped to lead their organizations effectively and maintain their performance over the long term.

How good is your organisation at providing the right structure and incentive to keep their workforce healthy??

Would love to hear your experiences on this topic, please share in the comments.

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