Three-quarters of small business owners report health problems due to stress at work

Longer hours and a tough economic climate, coupled with fear, is playing havoc with the health of small business owners.

Hiscox USA's "Q1 U.S. Small Business Survey: Health & Wellbeing", involved 1,002 business leaders (owner managers, proprietors, managing directors, board level directors / partners, and directors) in small businesses with up to 249 employees in the UK and the USA online between 8th and 22nd February 2012.

It found that three-quarters of small business owners had some sort of physical symptoms as a result of work stress. One-quarter described themselves as stressed.

Over half (54%) of small business owners were stressed-out thinking that they might lose their business altogether while losing clients (51%) and acquiring new business (49%) kept many awake at night. Ironically, 41% said they were stressed about health deterioration.

Ailments reported included fatigue (33%), headaches (32%), back pain (30%) and anxiety (29%).

Hiscox USA's blog cites the advise of a Dr. David Bull to combat stress and this Easter holiday is the perfect time to put some of it to the test. "It's important to make sure that you take steps to combat stress which include eating healthy, making time for exercise, ensuring you get enough sleep, having time out, taking part in hobbies or outside activities and ensuring that you schedule vacations."

Tags: Easter, economy, health, small business, stress