Better health makes business sense

Working long hours, and grappling with relentless disruption, it’s no surprise research shows over half of UK small and mediumsized business owners have experienced poor mental health over the past year.

For anyone caught in a cycle of stress, little sleep, poor diet and no exercise, it can feel impossible to break free and find a balance. But it’s a destructive pattern that makes us less resilient and able to handle pressure, or take sound decisions. Unhealthy lifestyles also increase the risk of serious illness – from cancers and heart disease to strokes.

As hard as it might feel, it’s important to book off some time in your day to step away from work, have a daily walk or run, get some natural light and eat nutritious, right-sized portioned food away from the keyboard. It will make a huge difference because healthy changes start with little changes.

Throughout your better health journey local services, commissioned by Kent County Council (KCC) – such as Live Well Kent (in partnership with the NHS) and One You Kent (OYK) – are on hand to support because a healthy body supports a well mind.

No one should ignore unmanageable stress or anxiety. Visit the Better Health Every Mind Matters website (www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/) for information to help you take self-care action.

On the kent.gov Every Mind Matters webpage (www.kent.gov. uk/EveryMindMatters) you can find online advice and signposting to local support, including community mental health services Live Well Kent, delivered by Porchlight and the Shaw Trust.

You can also get details here about the NHS Kent and Medway’s Mental Wellbeing Information Hub

(www.kmhealthandcare.uk/mentalwellbeing-information-hub) and the Release the Pressure campaign which offers a text service to people who are struggling to cope and need immediate help. Text the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 to start a conversation with one of the many trained and experienced volunteers who can give help at any time, wherever you are. Help is also available via the Release the Pressure 24/7 freephone helpline 0800 107 0160. Whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence.

Around 3 in 5 adults in Kent live with an increased risk of developing serious health conditions such as heart disease and chronic back pain, or being more seriously ill with COVID-19, because of excess weight. Putting down the laptop, getting active and making healthier food choices can all help reduce these risks.

Delivered by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) (www.kentcht.nhs.uk) in east Kent, and the district and borough councils in west Kent, One You Kent Healthy Weight Service (www.kent.gov.uk/socialcare-and-health/health/one-you- kent/healthy weight) offers lots of free support online, including a ‘How are You?’ quiz and healthy recipes to try at home. By teaming up with NHS’ Better Health campaign (www.nhs.uk/betterhealth/lose-weight), OYK can also link you in to self-help tools such as the NHS Weight Loss Plan app, the NHS Food Scanner app, plus a referral form to speak to a motivational One You Kent advisor.

KCHFT provides stop smoking services across the county through One You Kent, offering a range of support to suit people at times convenient for you.

Call 0300 123 1220, or go to www.kent.gov.uk/smokefree, to start your journey to quit the habit – the key cause of preventable death in the UK today.

Finally, One You Kent can also help you address how much alcohol you are drinking with tips and advice to cut back.

Find local support services and the online tool Know Your Score (www.kent.gov.uk/social-careand-health/health/one-you-kent/ drink-less/know-your-score-quiz), which helps you identify how much drinking may be affecting your health and relationships, as well as giving potentially life-saving advice from health professionals.