True or False: Losing your job is the single most common cause of bankruptcy.
Would it surprise you to learn the answer is false?
While Entrepreneurs typically don’t worry about losing our jobs, the reality is everyone is vulnerable to the single most common cause of bankruptcy, employed or self-employed. The single most common cause of bankruptcy today is getting sick, and since anyone can get sick, isn’t it better to know about how to prevent that from happening in the first place? Indeed, disease can ruin your finances the way nothing else can, by hitting you with bills you cannot pay (and insurance won’t cover), not to mention robbing you of your income (or wealth) because you cannot work.
And if you are one of the 45 million Americans without health insurance, well. Good luck. (Although it is my opinion that health insurance is really a racket since it rarely pays for anything, anyway.)
Entrepreneurs fall into an interesting category of the workforce. On the one hand, because we don’t work for someone else, we have more flexibility throughout our days to schedule time for taking care of ourselves through working out, for example. However, because our livelihoods depend directly upon what we produce, we may be busier with appointments and projects than the average 9-5er, leaving us less time to do the right things for ourselves. (Does the 9-5er even exist anymore?) And, many entrepreneurs do not have a health insurance plan because we either don’t qualify for one or cannot afford one.
Because Entrepreneurs have enough as it is to worry about every day, it is even more critical for us to lead a healthy lifestyle. If for no other reason than to avoid bankruptcy!
The good news is, it is easy to do with the following health tips.
(Quick side-note — you may be wondering what a post about health tips is doing on a blog that is mainly about Internet Marketing. Because I believe Content is King and Health is a big piece of the Content of Your Life Puzzle, it is important to remind readers to look out for number one by taking care of yourself.)
Okay, here are 5 of the best health tips I came up with that all Entrepreneurs can do starting today to get you on the right track toward living a healthy lifestyle (and insuring against losing out on all those wonderful rewards from your business efforts):
1. Move your body. Every single day. Even if it is for 10 minutes at a time, the human body was designed to move and too many Americans do not do this. Seriously, if you can only follow one of these health tips, this is the one to follow.
Contrary to what those TV advertisements lead you to think, you do not have to have a fancy gym membership to lead a healthy lifestyle. Dancing in your living room to your favorite music for 10 minutes here and there can really make a difference when done consistently. No one’s going to know, either. 
The secret is to build small segments of movement into your day rather than stressing out over not being able to get to the gym to do a “work out” for an hour. Small steps over time lead up to a long journey!
2. Healthy eating is not as hard as you might think. Simple, small changes can lead to big results in this department. Portion control is a huge factor here, as healthy eating has more to do with how much you eat at one sitting vs. what you eat. Ever notice the way cats graze throughout the day? Humans are designed to graze, too, eating small meals 6-10 times throughout the day. Doing this keeps blood sugar levels steady and minds alert and is a cornerstone of healthy eating.
3. Supplement. Even the best eaters who pride themselves on healthy eating can fall short of their daily recommendations for certain key nturients. Adding a high quality supplement line to your daily regime is definitely one of the health tips you do not want to overlook. Entrepreneurs have special needs that average employees don’t have because of the added stress we experience. This is how supplementation can really help. There are some very fine companies out there such as Univera who offer consumers exceptional supplements that work for a variety of health needs.
For those who are interested in trying some Univera samples, just click on the “Lost Your Groove” button to the right of this post.
The investment you make in your health today will pay off dividends over time as you stay well.
4. Sleep. Too many Americans complain of being tired all the time, often because they are not following tips 1-3! Seriously, a good night’s sleep is dependent upon several factors including elements of healthy living like exercise, healthy eating habits, and getting proper nutrition. Entrepreneurs can be notorious non-sleepers because we have so many things on our minds, not to mention all the projects we have going at once. Making a point of not watching television or being on the computer right before bed can help you sleep better through the night. Instead of exposing your brain to all that light and stimulation right before lights out, read a magazine or a few pages in a book before hitting the pillow. Or write down your accomplishments in a journal.
5. Spend time with friends that is not business-related. Having a social life is one of the most important elements of healthy living there is. With communities breaking down all over the place, it is more important than ever these days to know you have some key people in your life to count on when times are tough. Healthy living depends upon many factors including our primary relationships with loved ones, family, and friends. And, should times get a bit dicey, with friends you know you will make it through the rough patch. With clients and business partners, you may not.
The key to making any changes toward a more healthy lifestyle is to take each of these health tips and break them down into managable sizes. Pick one, do it until it becomes a habit, and then pick another. Lists like these are only as useful as the person actually doing what they suggest. But not doing anything at all could lead you to disaster, including bankruptcy. Take the time to start with one of these health tips today as part of your overall insurance policy against any future damage.
You — and your bank account — will be glad you did.
